Silver medal award honours craft of Yorkshire blacksmith

BLACKSMITH David Cooper has beaten his way to the top – and been awarded a national silver medal for his efforts.

Mr Cooper will receive the honour which also confers on him the title “eminent Master Blacksmith”, at a ceremony held by the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths in London in October.

He is thought to be the only working blacksmith in Yorkshire with a silver medal following a recommendation from York-based blacksmith Don Barker.

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Mr Cooper, who is based at the Pinfold Lane Industrial Estate, Bridlington, said: “I didn’t think I would see this for 10 years. Really it was out of the blue.

“The blacksmithing award is for working hot metal; my speciality lies in gates, designing one-off traditionally made iron work, that’s what I enjoy doing and that’s what I’ve built up a name for.

“It was very nice of Don to recommend me – I am chuffed to bits.”

His work was inspected by other silver medal holders before the award was made.

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Mr Barker is currently restoring the cast iron gates to Sewerby Hall near Bridlington, but takes on commissions from far and wide.

He recently designed a sign bracket for a wine dealer in Paris.To see examples of his work visit www.dcblacksmiths.co.uk.