Exmoor-based bespoke metalwork specialists West Country Blacksmiths has been shortlisted for two projects at the 2022 GAGA (Galvanizers Association Galvanizing Awards) Construction Awards.
The awards celebrate the innovative use of galvanized steel by architects, engineers, constructors, and artists from all over the UK and has been running for over 20 years, with previous winning projects including The Eden Project and the London Palladium.
From thousands of entries, 36 projects were shortlisted within six separate categories with two projects from West Country Blacksmiths being shortlisted for the awards alongside projects including Pwlheli Lifeboat Station, The Battersea Roundabout Sculpture and Camden Town Beer Hall.
One of the blacksmiths’ projects shortlisted was a decorative oak leaf and acorn balustrade project completed on an oak frame extension for a farm in Leighton Buzzard. The other was a project which included a range of metalwork for the largescale development of Bittescombe Lodge and Deer Park, near Wiveliscombe, in Somerset. The metalwork included a pair of automated gates, two pairs of gates, two personnel gates, four balconies, large sections of railings and the main sign for the lodge.
As part of the judging process, both clients were asked to share their thoughts on the project and on behalf of Bitterscombe Lodge, Samantha Campbell-Breeden, said: “West Country Blacksmiths are true modern-day artisans: they turned our designs into reality, therefore, offering a really bespoke service. They epitomise metalwork at its absolute best.”
Mr Darley of Leighton Buzzard added: “West Country Blacksmiths created a fantastic design that is beautiful, reflects the landscape we live in, and carefully balances being robust but still feeling very open and not restricting the view. The execution of the project was first class.”
West Country Blacksmiths company director, Kieren Roberts, said: “We are incredibly grateful of the recognition of our work. We are privileged to have an incredibly talented team and together we work extremely hard to produce metalwork to the very best standard regardless of the size and type of project.
“As a small rural based company this type of recognition is vital to helps us share the range of our team are capable of. The support we get from the local community is amazing and our primary focus is to continue serve the community of Somerset, producing the very best possible metalwork service. From small scale repairs or project such as handrails, railings or alike to much larger scale projects.”
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