Ex-military blacksmith invites you to forge poppies from military vehicles for Remembrance Day

Hook-based Parmenter Forge is offering a week of one-day courses that will allow participants to forge poppies using steel reclaimed from military vehicles for Remembrance.

These courses are available from Monday 23^rd October to Sunday 29^th October.

Welcoming individuals, couples or groups, the course aims to teach partakers new skills, give them an insight into an ancient craft and provide a sense of entertainment and achievement.

Those who attend the course will be able to work on the forge’s fire, forging at temperatures of up to 1600°C.

Blacksmith and Course Leader Ian Parmenter is a military-trained and award-winning blacksmith who has been made an Associate of the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths for his distinguished work.

A self-proclaimed ‘local lad from Hartley Wintney’, he has built an incredible reputation through the forge’s commissions and charity work. As it has grown, Ian has directed his love of blacksmithing towards his passion for teaching others and encouraging the next generation of smiths.

Driven by his ex-military background, he said, “using my craft and skills to remember those who served and gave their lives is extremely important to me.”

No military connection is required for participants, though the poppies are ideal when put together in a display, kept as a lasting symbol of remembrance or given as individual gifts.

Further to honouring the memory of the fallen, Ian is a long-time supporter of Richmond-based charity HighGround, to which a proportion of the course fees will be donated. The charity helps service leavers, veterans and reservists to create their life beyond the military.

Spaces are limited, but fear not, Parmenter Forge offers additional courses throughout the year that range from an ‘Intro to Blacksmithing’ to more intermediate sessions.

With more than thirty years of experience in traditional and modern forgework, Ian is keen to impart his knowledge upon any interested students with ‘a willingness to learn and an appetite for challenge and fun’.

All the tools and resources you need will be provided on the day; Parmenter Forge asks only that you bring your enthusiasm, a sense of humour and some lunch.

The forge can be contacted through its website, by email (parmenterforge@gmail.com) or by phone (07746133410).