Rowan forges a news career as a blacksmith
Seven years ago Rowan Taylor was in a job he disliked and felt he was going nowhere. So he packed it in to become what he had always wanted to be – a blacksmith.
And now he has been showing off his handiwork to hundreds of visitors at a craft fair in Welshpool.
"I do a whole range of items, from decorative pokers to cooking stoves, forged flowers to hooks and horseshoes," said Mr Taylor, who lives in Welshpool and runs the Ellesmere Canal Forge, which he opened seven months ago after finishing his training.
He said: "I was in a job I didn't enjoy, so I decided to follow my dream and become a blacksmith for my full time job.
"The smithy was restored with care by the Canal and River Trust before I took it over. It was built in 1805 by Thomas Telford as part of the canal infrastructure but had been empty for 30 years before I took it over at the start of September last year."
Mr Taylor was showing his work at a Craft Fair in Welshpool Town Hall's Corn Exchange on Saturday.
He said: "It is my intention to produce high quality, affordable, bespoke ironwork for individuals and organisations, alongside restoration work and historical reproductions.
"The craft fair in Welshpool was successful. Although I didn't make masses of sales, I built up a lot of contacts and have been invited to a number of shows throughout Mid Wales this summer."
The fair was the first of three to be held in the early part of this year, with the other two scheduled for April 19 and May 24.
To book a spot at the next craft fair call (01938) 553319.
