The Blacksmith, The Forge & The Canal - Everyday History Heroes

A very different world it was back in 1910 when Fred went to work in the blacksmith's shop of the late Mr. Jim Rowe before taking a lone hand in 1913. For these were the days of sail: of the "Ceres" (the first boat to have motors fitted), the "Jessie" and the "Agnes" and scores of their type.
At that time, a tiny railway ran from the beach to the wharf, a horse drawn conveyance bringing sand for ballast for the ships travelling empty down channel.

Mooring swivels and shackles for huge wooden buoys were the order of the day for Mr. Staddon. He wrought all the iron work in 1920 for the inner lock gates. He acted as ships' smith. He carried out the many commitments for the town's two wheelwrights and he made many of the harrows and ploughs and door hangings ordered by farmers. Then there were the horses. Milk-cart ponies, coaching horses, posting horses, cart horses. Mr. Staddon shod the lot!
Later in Freds career, the canal closed and the waters of the canal would curl lazily along its banks, when it was not being used as a pleasure pond for boating, its heart was silent.

However, adapting to the changing times, there was still plenty of work for Mr. Staddon, but the emphasis had changed. He was repairing the things he once made and there became a demand from local garages for such oddments as motor springs, he also turned his hand to such commercial ventures as "lucky horseshoes", made from copper, and door knockers made of steel horse-shoes to sell to holiday-makers.

Timings

Monday 14 September:

1100-1200 & 1400-1500

Tuesday 15 September:

1100-1200 & 1400-1500

Wednesday 16 September:

1100-1200 & 1400-1500

Location & directions

The Castle Heritage Centre, The Wharf, Bude, Cornwall, EX23 8LG

Directions:

Meet Outside The Castle Heritage Centre, Bude.

Contact on day:

Matt Thomas

Telephone number:

+447719565706

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking required

Booking conditions:

Each booking requires a ticket that can be accessed via an online link (see details for links - coming soon). These tickets are free. If you are unable to book an online ticket, please email: [email protected] to be added on the list. You will need to leave your full name and contact details as well as informing us from where you are travelling, just in case the tour is cancelled.

Booking contact name:

Matt Thomas

Booking telephone number:

+441288357302

Booking email:

[email protected]

Booking website:

https://wegottickets.com/thecastle/

Alternative booking website:

https://www.thecastlebude.co.uk/whats-on/

Booking opens:

16 Jul 2026 06:00 PM

Booking closes:

17 Sep 2026 12:00 AM

Accessibility details

The Forge is a small space, hence the small group numbers for each tour.

Additional information

The Castle Heritage Centre is Located in the Castle Bude. The forge is a short walk in some separate buildings by the canal. Parking is available close to the venue. More details can be found at: https://www.visitbude.info/

Max number of people:

6

Estimated duration:

1 hour(s)

Check out our online channels

Back to results