Finch Foundry, Sticklepath, Devon ...

The other day we were keen to go exploring, but the weather didn't look great and, having got a good soaking on our supposedly rain-proof trip to the Levant Mine in Cornwall, we wanted to play things safe and not stray too far from home. So we decided to mosey on down the road to the pretty little village of Sticklepath, not far from Okehampton in Devon.

My father's grandfather (my great grandfather) was a blacksmith back in Ireland, so my father was interested to see the last working water-powered forge in England. And it proved to be a thing of wonder, which was way above and beyond anything that my ancestor ever operated.

Finch Foundry, Sticklepath, Devon

The Finch brothers were away ahead of the curve when it came to technology in the early days of the nineteenth century.

Finch Foundry, Sticklepath, Devon

They used three thundering water wheels to power a massive three quarter ton mechanical drop hammer, a tilt hammer, huge shears, a sharpening stone in the carpentry room upstairs and a set of mechanical bellows that puffed air into the forges, via a series of piped floor ducts, that made the fire burn brighter and hotter. For people who are interested in industrial archeology this place is a goldmine.

Finch Foundry, Sticklepath, Devon

At the peak of their game the Finch brothers were producing over 400 edge tools a day, such as scythes, sickles and shovels in this forge. One brother stayed at home to look after production, while the other set off with a horse-drawn cart to market their wares to the farmers, quarrymen and miners of the South West. In its day this was the most successful and productive forge in the region.

When William Finch came here in 1814 Sticklepath was a hamlet of water mills. Since the 16th century it had been renowned for its industry. In 1565 ten watermills were recorded along the banks of the stream that ran through the village. Finch leased the old Manor Mill, which had previously been a corn mill. In fact a mill of some sort has stood on this site since 1294, when it was recorded that Hugh de Courtenay of Willey had a grist (grain) mill here.

William Finch had served his apprenticeship in a foundry, which seems to have been the principal reason why his forge became known as Finch Foundry. There is no record of metal ever having been poured on the premises.

Finch Foundry, Sticklepath, Devon

They powered up the machinery during our visit, and we saw the tilt hammer and mechanical shears in operation. The forge was lit too, so we got a feel for what life in the smithy would have been like a century ago. We certainly had the smell of smoke, coal dust, hot iron and oil, mixed with the sounds of the hammer on the anvil, the steady pulse of the machinery as it powered the bellows and the knife stone upstairs in the carpenter's shop.

Finch Foundry, Sticklepath, Devon

Tilt hammer in operation in Finch Foundry, Sticklepath, Devon

Blacksmith's tools, Finch Foundry, Sticklepath, Devon

Finch Foundry, Sticklepath, Devon

During the 17th century the Quaker movement became active in the village. The Quakers having suffered persecution and imprisonment in Exeter and nearby Launceston, moved to Sticklepath in search of a safe haven where they could live and practise their religion without harassment. And, happily, they appear to have been given the freedom to do just that. They were left in peace to live and prosper. It is also believed that some from here may have sailed to the New World with the Pilgrim Fathers in 1620.

Finch Foundry garden, Sticklepath, Devon

 At the bottom of the forge garden is the old Quaker Burial Ground, and a lovely summer house built by Thomas Pearse, a serge-maker, who was the caretaker of that burial ground from 1830 until about 1870.

Finch Foundry garden and the Quaker Burial Ground, Sticklepath, Devon

The village pub, the Devonshire Inn, also caught my eye. Not only did it look to be the perfect place for a sociable snifter and a spot of lunch, but ...

Devonshire Inn, Sticklepath, Devon

... with this fabulous sign painted onto its wall, it seems to be the perfect place to visit with the Wonder Dog. He so hates having to slum it in the car park.

Devonshire Inn, Sticklepath, Devon

And just across the street we found the village stocks, although to my untutored eye they don't look like 16th century originals... .

Sticklepath, Devon

If you'd like to swing by Finch Foundry and check it out for yourself you can find the website here: Finch Foundry.

All the best for now,

Bonny x