Exford, The Smithy c.1920
Photo ref: E50501
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Photo ref: E50501
Photo of Exford, The Smithy c.1920

More about this scene

By the 1920s, many smiths had ceased to tend horses, but tended cars instead – they had made the transition from farrier to motor mechanic. But the Exford smith is still carrying on his traditional business, although his forge has seen better days – the thatch has worn wafer thin and will soon be letting in water. The rickety door is smothered with auctioneers' flyers for farm sales; the village forge had always been a meeting place for farmers where they could gossip and discuss the news of the day.

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