Our Story
B & J Blacksmiths is a family run business based in the heart of the national forest. Located on the Staunton Harold Hall Estate in The Ferrer’s Craft Centre. We work on projects local and nationwide including London and surrounding areas.
With over 50 years experience B & J Blacksmiths has an extensive portfolio of work and wide experience of working with architects, interior designers, heritage restorers and individual clients to produce bespoke pieces.
All pieces are handmade to the highest standards with and artists attention to detail. A complete service from design and construction to fitting and finishing is provided. For our Electric gates, ongoing maintenance and servicing contracts are also available.
working with B & J enables you to commission metalwork that is both unique and of exceptionally high standard. We are believers in using traditional techniques, fusing this with modern developments to create a truly bespoke quality product.
We work on the estate in the original forge building. Our experience and extensive knowledge ensures we can also sympathetically restore work dating back to before the 16th century and beyond.
All our work is individually made at the forge and we do not purchase elements that have been mass produced to assemble.
Proud Blacksmiths for The National Trust and many satisfied customers. References can be provided.
Our Family
.jpg)
David Jenkinson
Owner
When preparing to leave school David had the ambition to become a farrier. A keen Show Jumper, a love of horses and working practically this seemed like the most viable career prospect. With the hunting ban looming, many farriers were not open to take on apprentices; the real working world seemed a difficult place to be.
One day a local Blacksmith visited the design department at Ashby Grammar School seeking a suitable Blacksmiths apprentice. Mr J. Stanleforth volunteered David and as they say ‘the rest is history’. Ok, David wouldn’t be shoeing horses but, apprentice of the year, becoming a partner of the business and having a very successful clientele base brings us to current day. It is safe to say David couldn’t be happier to do a job that allows him to do something he loves and also to work in the most stunning of surroundings.
Gregory Budworth
Owner & Founder
Founder of G. Budworth Blacksmiths which later became B & J Blacksmiths in 2007. Gregory has a wealth of industry knowledge beginning with a solid career in the army as an engineer.
Tom Thrift
Apprentice
Tom is the latest addition to the team and the current apprentice - albeit he has been with us for many years now. Tom completed a Blacksmiths course at Hereford College. Having an apprentice is a vital part of the company and Thomas has his work cut out to keep up with David and Gregory. When every anyone needs a helping hand, he is always there to strike.