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Churchill Forge, near Kidderminster, is the last surviving water-powered plating forge in the UK.

It was run commercially until 1969, and has been preserved and run ever since by a Charitable Trust.

The site features two working waterwheels, and much of the other original machinery.

History

Churchill Forge lies in the valley of the Ganlow Brook, which rises in the Clent Hills in North Worcestershire, and flows down to meet the River Stour, which itself is a tributary of the Severn.

It produced edged metal tools, and is the last of the many water-powered forges that could once be found in this area.

For many years the forge has been in the hands of the Bache family, who have had many connections with it over the years.

The power for the forge is provided by two water wheels. The water to turn these wheels is stored in Hammer Pond.

This pool covers two acres, and was probably formed as early as the 13th or 14th century, by damming the Ganlow Brook; the embankment is now the approach road to the forge.

A sluice gate allows water from the pond to enter a culvert under the footpath, and into two header tanks, from where it can be released when the wheels are required to turn.

In the same building as the forge, on a higher level, is what was the grinding shop, but is now used to house an exhibition of former products, and historic photographs.

Ladles are some of the products forged

Products

From 1700 onwards the main items made were spades, shovels, forks, rakes, hoes, cultivators, salt skippets (special shovels for the salt industry at nearby Droitwich), and ladles, which by 1960 were the main product.

These were used in the Stourbridge glass industry, and the metal refineries of the West Midlands.

The ladles were produced from one piece of steel, and were considered to be of superior quality, due to the very good design of the pouring lip.

Living history

Churchill Forge was worked by Claude Bache until 1969.

It was his clear intention that the Forge should be maintained as an historical legacy to future generations, as a working exhibition for education and general interest.

Unfortunately, Claude died in 1970 before he could realise this dream.

Early in 1979, a small group of friends and experts agreed to join the Haywards to form a preservation trust to repair the forge and mill, so that safe working could continue, and the working watermill-forge made available to the visiting public.

In 1981 the Churchill Forge Trust Limited was formally launched.

Restoration work to date has been funded by various grants and voluntary subscriptions.

Location

Churchill Forge is in the village of Churchill in North Worcestershire, between the A451 Stourbridge Road and the A456 Birmingham Road.

The entrance to the forge is a short distance along a drive, off the minor road that runs past Churchill village church.