Blacksmith’s Cottage Re-location of the Gaol Cell June 2014 Tony Cawood and Russ Hendry acted as “dogmen” as the cell was lifted onto the prepared site. Tony used a bit more muscle than Russ ……hence the cry “COMPO I’ve done me back!!!” Actually we believe the crane did all the heavy work and Russ and Tony were just showing off. Other Lions were in attendance, but stood well back so as to not interfere in the technical aspects of...
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We are looking forward to the “Men’s Work” display on Sunday, 17 August 2014, with access to the Blacksmith’s Cottage and Forge Bookbarn from 10.00am to 4.00pm. Our wheelwright shed will be open where you can view old tools valuable to the working blacksmith and wheelwright of yesteryear. Walk around the yard, take a look at the newly located Police Cell, wooden carts (transport for families and industry), peer down the well – there’s plenty...
The Blacksmith’s Cottage and Forge are very proud to be part of the Bacchus Marsh Harvest Festival, held annually in March. This year, we were able to display a wide range of locally-grown produce in our heritage setting. Our volunteers were pleased to welcome a steady stream of visitors from places as far afield as Bentleigh, Daylesford and Newstead, as well as places much closer to home. The rain held out and the sun shone on the day. The...
The ‘Smithy’s Day Book, the DB, the Ledger – it’s the book which records the commissioned work of the Blacksmith together with the charges for his toil. There was no PC or telephone; the customer walked into the Forge and arranged the work. Horses were walked into the Forge near the work area when shoes were to be made and fitted; all recorded in the Day Book. To shoe your horse, as recently as 1941, 4 shoes would cost 8 shillings. ...
The Annis and George Bills horse trough at the Blacksmith’s Cottage is a survivor of a series of troughs donated by the estate of Annis and George Bills. When he died in 1927 George Bills left his estate of 80,000 pounds to ‘construct and erect and pay for horse troughs wherever they ………..are desireable for the relief of horses and other dumb animals.” The bequest donated over 500 troughs throughout...
