Blacksmith forges links with locals

MASTER at work: blacksmith Simon Reed at work outside the Authentic gift shop, in Uppermill Picture by TIM BRADLEY

AN Uppermill business forged an army of new fans when it offered a chance to watch a blacksmith at work.

Popular Mill Street gift shop Authentic invited Simon Reed — who owns Leeds-based Lilliput Forge — to demonstrate the dying art of hand-forged wrought iron-working.

Customers were also given the chance to try their own hand and create a memento.

“This is the second time we’ve invited Simon along to demonstrate his skills and it always proves very popular,” said Viki Taylor, from Greenfield, who owns Authentic with fellow Saddleworth artisans Helen Robinson and Joanne Ward.