Open in TheBrain

Garston Forge (17)

<p>Social standing,&nbsp;'magical' powers of village smith, witches, shape-changing, relationships, interaction between village personalities, metaphor for nature vs technology, female strengths vs male strengths</p>

<p>Or 'Twanky-dillo' drinking song, celebrating the heart of the village</p>

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<ul>

<li title="" data-original-title="">The forge was originally built in the back garden of a house in Garston, Hertfordshire in the 1850s.&nbsp;&nbsp; Many of the bricks are marked &lsquo;JC&rsquo; showing they were made at John Chapman&rsquo;s brickworks in Garston.</li>

<li title="" data-original-title="">From the 1860s until 1926, the forge was worked by members of the Martin family.&nbsp; Descendants are still in contact with the Museum.</li>

<li title="" data-original-title="">The forge fell into bad disrepair, and permission had been given for its demolition, when it was donated and moved to the Museum in 1982.</li>

<li title="" data-original-title="">Outside Garston Forge, there is a circular cast-iron platform used for putting the metal tyres on wooden wagon and cart wheels.</li>

<li title="" data-original-title="">&nbsp;The hearth is from Naphill and matches the original foundations and date.</li>

<li title="" data-original-title="">The bellows are from Leavesden Hospital.</li>

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