A Blacksmith from the Thirsty Bear Forge has won two top blacksmithing prizes. Artist Blacksmith Jake Bowers won the much coveted top blacksmith shield as he completed his 2 year extended diploma in Blacksmithing at Plumpton College in Lewes, East Sussex.  He also beat hundreds of other students attending the college to win the top practical student cup, the first ever blacksmith to do so in the college’s 100 year history.

He is pictured above with his Blacksmithing tutor Ricky Delaney, Fellow of the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths. Jake Bowers has also been awarded his Journeyman’s Certificate below by the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths, one of the original craft guilds founded in London in 1299.