Our Story

Who are James and Lucy?

James and Lucy are a husband and wife team of “makers” based in Horsham, England.

James is the founder of The Bathgate Forge, and has always dreamt of being an artist, but never considered it “work”, so pursued a career in Science, eventually becoming, and proud to still be, a teacher. James’ thirst for knowledge and understanding, and a deep awe for the workings of the universe, helps him to inspire his students to get the best from their studies.

The call of the wild is strong though, and James’ passion for time outdoors brings him back to nature at every opportunity, and his family with him. It’s through his love for nature that James has delved deeper and deeper into traditional camp crafts and bushcraft, which in turn led to an enjoyment of the crafts of our ancestors throughout history. The entire family have been brought along for the ride, and Lucy has found her own crafts, bringing leather bracelet making and pottery in James’ field of view.

Through his passion for the outdoors, and through taking opportunities when they present themselves, James is now lucky enough to be not only a Science teacher, but also a Forest School leader and basic bushcraft and survival skills instructor, which has afforded him more time to pursue his creative-side. Lucy also helps out with woodland crafts and Forest Schools wherever possible.

Blacksmithing is where science, art, and bushcraft collide. You can’t beat making things sitting by a fire in the forest!

James is a perfectionist, and enjoys working with a variety of media:

• Traditional fine art using pens, pencils, watercolours and oils to bring the spark of life to a portrait of a beloved pet, or an outdoors scene, or even a comic-book character.

• Whittling and carving toys and traditional items, such as spoons, egg-cups, burn-bowls, kuksas, and “magic” wands, decorating many them with the centuries-old Scandinavian technique of kolrosing.

• Working with leather to produce bracelets, pouches, belts, or custom pieces (such as knife-pouches) whenever he needs something.

• Forging iron and steel and copper to produce many items such as jewellery, cutlery, blades, and fire-utensils.

• Crafting pottery through throwing and kiln-firing to produce functional, beautiful everyday or decorative items.

• Basic, small-scale MIG welding where necessary.

We really hope you like James and Lucy’s handiwork. If there’s anything you’d like the pair to make, or think they might be able to produce, but can’t see on the product pages, just get in touch using the contact page. James and Lucy both love to learn and find new products exciting, so would love to help if they can see a use for a particular product, and will be able to complete it in their small shop in a reasonable time-frame for you.