©National Trust Images/Mel Pe
1334646
Iron snail art, made in the forge at Finch Foundry, Devon
Celebrating St Clement
November 23rd is St Clement’s Day. St Clement is the patron saint of blacksmiths and as they are a big part of the history of Finch Foundry, we celebrate this each year by bringing many blacksmiths together to show off their craft. There are items for sale and fun competitions such as ‘the great snail race’, where the blacksmiths are challenged to make a snail in the fastest time.
Another tradition is the firing of the anvil, which is done to test it for weakness for the coming year. Visitors will be able to see this demonstrated - and there will be some loud bangs!
Entry on the day is free and the museum will be open, but there won’t be the usual talks, as there will be plenty of other things to see and do. The gallery will feature a variety of stalls selling locally crafted items items.
As well as all this we will be dressing up the shop for Christmas so you’ll have the opportunity to do some gift shopping and the tearoom will be serving soup, light snacks and hot drinks to warm up with.
Apart from St Clement’s Day on Saturday, November 23rd when opening times will be 11am-4pm, the winter opening hours for Finch Foundry will be weekends from 11am-3pm (last entry 2.30pm) from November 2nd until December 22nd. Our usual talks and demonstrations will take place throughout the day and the tea-room and shop will also be open.