1

The Forge

Contents

Blacksmiths & farriers ...................................................................................................................................... 2

Middle Ages ..................................................................................................................................................... 2

18th and 19th centuries ...................................................................................................................................... 3

20th Century ..................................................................................................................................................... 4 1983 – 2003 ......................................................................................................................................................... 5

The 21st century ............................................................................................................................................... 6

Appendix 1 Parish Registers of burials & Baptisms showing Blacksmiths ........................................................ 11

Appendix 2 ..................................................................................................................................................... 11 Email from Bill Gosney, Trustee of Petersfield Museum, 30th August 2018 ...................................................... 11

Appendix 3 ..................................................................................................................................................... 13 The Forge – What next? Statement by the late Denys Ryder ............................................................................ 13

Appendix 4 ..................................................................................................................................................... 14 Submission by Chair of East Meon Parish Council, to EHDC planning committee - 29/08/13 ........................... 14

Appendix 5 ..................................................................................................................................................... 15 Notes from Statement of Accounts of Oxenbourne Fuel & Recreation Ground Charity 1903 – 1951 .............. 15

Appendix 6 ..................................................................................................................................................... 16 Account by George Bartlett, Chair of The East Meon Forge and Cricket Ground Protection Association ......... 16

2

Blacksmiths & farriers BothinmythologyandsincetheIronAge,forgingmetalhasbeenanessentialingredientofagriculture,shapingtoolsandshoeinghorses.Thecraftofthefarrierhasalwaysbeendistinctfromthatoftheblacksmith,althoughmanyblacksmithswerealsofarriers.BothwereessentialtoEastMeon’sfarmingcommunityuntilthe1980swhenmanufacturers’guaranteesonmachineryremovedthedemandformetalrepairsandfarrierstookovertheshoeingofhorseswhichbynowwereprincipallykeptforleisur.OneforgebuildingsurvivesinEastMeon,andeffortstopreserveitfromdevelopmentinthe2010sprovideacasestudyofcommunityaction.Middle Ages WecanseetheimportanceofblacksmithstotheagricultureofmedievalEastMeonbytakingsamplesfromthreecenturiesofWinchesterPipeRolls.The1210accountsforMenesManeriuminclude‘Intheironworkoftwoploughsthisyear,6s2d.Inpaymentofthesmith,3s’andotherreferencestoironwork.TheaccountforMenesEcclesiahas"Intheironworkfortwoploughswithpaymenttothesmithof8s6d”1.TherollforMenesManeriumfor1301/2refersunder‘CostofPloughs’to‘inironworkof1horse-ploughfortheyear,1s8d.Instipendofthesmithforgingtheironwork,1s’,andunder‘costofcarts’…‘In1newbinding,withclampsandlargeandsmallnailsboughtforthesame,andwiththestipendofthesmithputtingthesaidbindingonthesaidwheels,12s6d…inshoeing2cart-horsesfortheyear,2s’.UnderMenesEcclesia:‘Inironworkof1horse-ploughfortheyear1s8d.Instipendofthesmithforgingtheironwork1s’2.TherollforMenesManorfor1409/10lists‘Inironworkandsteelboughtfortheironworkof3horse-ploughsand5ox-ploughsfortheyear,£1.2s.Instipendofthesmithmakingthesaidironworkfortheyear,8s…’andunder‘costofcarts’,‘shoeing3cart-horsesfortheyear6s.’UnderMeonEcclesia:‘Inironandsteelboughtfortheironworkof1ploughwiththestipendofthesmithfortheyear4s’3.Enoughwork,evidently,inmakingandrepairingequipmentforatleastoneblacksmithandperhapsafarrier.

1P.R.O.Eccl2-22-159270BEdHoltN.R.ThePipeRolloftheBishopricofWinchester1210-11ManchesterUniversityPress1964.2EdPageM.ThePipeRolloftheBishopricofWinchester1301-2HampshireCountyCouncil1996p286.33EdPageM.ThePipeRolloftheBishopricofWinchester1409-10HampshireCountyCouncil1996p266.

3

18th and 19th centuries Leapingforwardthreecenturies,theparishregistersshowthatablacksmithnamedJohnCollinswasburiedatAllSaintsin1772,aged85,andthewifeof‘JnoLock,blacksmith’MaryLockwasburiedin1790;shewasonly32.TheLock(e)scontinuedinthetradeforthreegenerations:GeorgeLockdiedin1805,succeededbytwoJameses,whodiedrespectivelyin1879and1939.4

.OrdnanceSurveymapofEastMeon,1869,showing‘smithies’atthecornerofTheSquare’,westendofHigh

Street,andattheintersectionoftheHighStreetandFrogmoreLaneWhitesDirectoryof1859listsfourblacksmithsinEastMeon:CarterJas,LockJames,LoveWmandStaceyThs.By1865,Kelly’slocatestwooftheseinthevillageofEastMeon:JamesLockeandWilliamLove.

ItplacesJamesCarterinLangrish(left)withhissonWilliamandgrandsonJames;theywereblacksmithsandsub-postmasters.ThomasStaceyhadaforgeinBordeanfrom1841–1871andwasjoinedbyhisson-in-lawJohnLevy,alsoablacksmith.

ThesmithyandpostofficeatLangrish,dateunknown.Advertisementssuggestlate19thcenturyInter-marriagewithinthetradeappearstohavebeencommon:GeorgeBeckinghamislistedaslivinginAlley(laterHalley)Street,EastMeon,firstasafarmlabourerandthenasablacksmith–possiblyworkingatthesmithyon‘TheSquare’(seeO/Smapabove)atthecornerofHalleyandHighStreets;thesecondJamesLockemarriedhissisterAnnandtheylivedatIvyHouse,nextdoortotheeasternforge.In1859theyhadadaughter,also4ExcerptsfromtheRegistersofBurialsandBaptismsareattachedasAppendix1

4

Ann,whomarriedJamesHobbsfromClanfieldwhojoinedhisfather-in-lawattheForge;theytradedasLocke&Hobbsfromaround1889.TheHobbshadsixchildren,twogirlsandfourboys,twoofwhomworkedwiththeirfatherintheForge.

EastMeonForgec1909.MasterblacksmithJimHobbs(fourthfromleft)isflankedbytwoofhissons,ReginaldDonaldandHarold.EmployeeWalterLambertholdsthepony(extremeleft).Hisfather-in-law,JimmyLocke,isnowretiredandblindandcarriesablacksmith’stravellingtoolbox.

20th Century ClaraSmithdescribedtoFreddieStandfieldhermemoriesoftheForgeinthe1920sand‘30s.“Thesmithystood,asitstilldoes,atthejunctionoftheHighStreetandFrogmoreLane,ahiveofactivity,withmanyhorsesqueuingupforshoeing.ThreeorfourfarriersworkedthereincludingJimHobbs,theboss.Itwasthrillingtowatchhorsesbeingshod,andironbandsputonwagonwheels,withsparksflyingfromthefire,andmorefromtheanvil,asshoeswerehammeredintoshape.”

‘JamesHobbsandsons’,arelistedasblacksmithuntilthe1920s;bythentheownersofDraytonMill,theAburrows,alsooperatedasblacksmithsandalsohadawheelwrightshopontheHighStreet(whereEastMeonStoresnowstands).JimHobbsalsooperatedadairyfromIvyHouse.HissonReginaldDonaldislistedasafarrierin1927whenhisson,ReginaldJames,wasbaptised,whileheislistedasablacksmithintradedirectoriesinthe1930s.ThefamilylivedatOrchardCottage,nextdoortoIvyHousewheretheLockeshadlived;hewasburiedinEastMeonin1957.

J.Hobbs&Sons“ShoeingandGeneralSmiths,with

ForgeCottageinthebackground.

Inthe1970s.thedisusedForgewasboughtbyFreddieStandfieldfor£250andwaslettoanelectricalcontractor,TomPulley,whouseditasalock-upstoreuntilTonyFryandhispartnerDerekMustchinleaseditin1983tooperateitasasmithyoncemore.“Ithadbeenlockedupforyears.Oneoftheoriginaltwobrickandironforgesremained,butthe

5

chimneyhadbeendemolished,andthebellowsweremissing".F.M.Engineeringrebuiltthechimney,re-wiredthebuildingandinstalledanofficeandtoiletattheback5.

F.M.Engineeringinthe1980s.lefttorightDerekMustchin,MichaelIbrianiandTonyFry.Michaelwasan

apprentice,afosterchildfromGowans,PidhamHill.1983 – 2003 DerekMustchinandTonyFrywereRoyalNavyWarrantOfficerswithengineeringandmetal-workingskills.WhentheyretiredfromtheNavyin1982,shortlyaftertheFalklandsWar,theyhadstartedmakingwrought-ironitemsinTony’sgarageinHorndean.TheyheardthattheleaseofaForgeinEastMeonwasavailable,andmettheowner,FreddieStanfield,villagehistorian,wholivedinForgeCottageopposite.“Hewasdelightedweintendedtore-openasablacksmith’sratherthanabrothelorafish-and-chipshop”.Theirintentionwas,saysTonyFry,“toworkasagriculturalengineers,Derektomendtractors,metodoweldingrepairsonfarmequipment.”However,theycommissionedmarketresearchfromPortsmouthNews,whichindicatedthat‘Wehadmissedtheboat…farmerswerebuyingJohnDeeretractorsunderwarranty,andtheyallhadsmallweldingmachines.ThedaysofusingoldclappedoutFergusontractorswerelonggone.’Thepairturnedtheirskillstoanyjobwithcametheirway,includingpatchingroofsonchickensheds,installingoakbookshelvesandreplacingtheglassinthebackdoorofacottagewhichtheownerhadbrokenwhenshelockedherselfout.TheydidsomeagriculturalworkforJohnTosdevineandhissons,takingtheirmobileweldingmachinetoapotatodiggerwhichkeptbreakingdowninthemiddleofthefield.

ThentheForgewasdamagedbyacaravoidingcollisionbycrashingthroughthedoubledoors(left);burglarssubsequentlystoletheirportabletoolsandequipmentbutdespitethesesetbacks,theydevelopedasuccessfullineofbusinessmakinggates,railingsandotherdecorativeironwork,includingavillagesignforCatherington,thegates

totheSubmarineMuseuminGosport,thehanginglightsinbothTheCourtHallandthenewChurchHallandtheornamentalglassesrackinthenewly-refurbishedGeorgeInn.In1999,TonyFry’ssonSimontookoverfromDerekMustchinandthefirmwasre-namedFryandSon.5AfullinterviewwithTonyFrycanbeaccessedathttps://www.eastmeonhistory.org.uk/content/category/hwadings-under-which-the-archives-are-recorded/interviews-with-villagers-with-memories-of-the-village

6

DecorativeironworkatYeOldeGeorgeInn

The 21st century Freddie Standfield was very involved in the early years of the Petersfield Museum; when he died in 2005, his will specified that, after bequests to family, friends and East Meon bodies such as the Village Hall, Almshouses and Cricket Club, the ‘net proceeds’ of ‘the remainder of my property’ be paid to the Museum to help fund a curator. The trustees were unable to sell the Forge and asked the Museum to accept it in lieu of payment6.

The Forge was then leased to Steven Weeks, another Navy welder. Tony Fry had retired in 2003 but continued to help Weeks when needed. The building was once more in poor condition and there were problems with rental payments; and the Museum decided in 2010 to sell it, putting it out to open tender. At least one East Meon resident, Denys Ryder, wanted to bid for the Forge, but failed to meet the deadline because he wanted to give the incumbent, Weeks, a chance to bid first7. The Museum sold the Forge, first, to property developers who in turn sold it to a Mr Croucher, who stated his intention to re-build it as a carpentry workshop for his son Jamie, with an extra floor containing a one-bedroom flat in which he would live…

SteveWeeksin,andoutside,theForge

TheCrouchersclaimedtheyhadpurchasedaverydilapidatedbuilding.‘After4yearsofnooccupancyandbecauseofitspoordesigntheroofspreadproblemisaccelerating,withtheresultthatthewallsarenowbowingoutalarmingly.Weunderstandtheprevioustenantshadafullrepairandmaintenanceleaseontheworkshopbutsimplycouldnotaffordtocarryouttheprohibitivelyexpensiverepairs,withtheresultthesurveyshowedthebuildingisnowveryclosetocollapse’8.6AsummaryofeventsfromtheperspectiveofPetersfieldMuseumiscontainedinAppendix27DenysRyder’saccountofhisattemptstoputtogetherabidareinAppendix3.8PDFofJamieCroucher’sdefence‘TheForge–TheFacts–TheFuture–willbeavailableonwww.eastmeonhistory.net.

7

InJanuary2013CrouchersubmittedhisfirstapplicationforplanningpermissiontoEastHantsDistrictCounciltodeveloptheForgewithan“extensiontocreateafirstfloortoprovidehabitableaccommodationandprovisionofadeckedareatotherear”.TheConservationOfficerrecommendedagainsttheirplanswhichwere‘squeezingwhatseemslikeaquartintoapintpot’onthelimitedsite;theapplicationwaswithdrawn.TheCrouchershadsuggestedtoChannel4thattheseries‘RestorationMan’followtheprojectforoneofitsdocumentariesaboutrestoringruinedbuildings;GeorgeClarkandinMay2013theteamfilmedtheForgeinanticipationofitsconversion.InJunethatyeartheysubmittedasecondplanningapplicationwithaslightreductionintheheightoftheroofbutotherwisesimilartothefirst.ThisapplicationdrewalargenumberofobjectionsfromresidentsandinparticularfromEastMeonCricketClubanditssupporters;theproposedresidentialbuilding,withwindowsandaterraceimmediatelyadjoiningtheground,wereseenasathreattothecontinuedplayingofcricketontheground.

TheForgehadbeenbuiltinaconfinedsite,cutintosteepbanksontwosidesandadjacentto‘TheRecreationGround’,whichcontainsthevillagecricketground.PreviouslynamedPillMeadow,thishadbelongedtotheOxenbourneFuelandRecreationGroundAllotmentsCharity,establishedinthemid19thcentury‘forpurposesofexerciseandrecreationoftheneighbouringpopulation’.OriginallyintendedtosupportpoorcottagerswhohadbeendeprivedoflandundertheEnclosures,themeadowhadbeenmadeovertotheParishCouncilwithrestrictionsondevelopment9.BecausetheForgeisatalowerlevelthanthemeadow,andwithinstrikingdistanceofthepitch,ithadovertheyearsbeenpepperedbysixesandfourshitbybatsmen;theCricketClubwasnervousthatanaccidenttoresidentscouldsubjectittosubstantialclaims.BlockplanoftheForge,showingsteep

banksbelowcricketground.

9HRO35/M84/186111Statementsofaccounts,1903–1951.SeeAppendix5fornotes.

8

Revisedplansforre-developmentofTheForge.Thedesignincludedanopendeckonthesouth-westside,facingthecricketpitch..

EastMeonParishCouncilhadappliedtohavethebuildinglistedbyEnglishHeritagewhichagreedthattheForge‘addstothepicturesqueaspectofEastMeon,andisavaluablereminderoftheimportanceoftheforgeorsmithyinvillagelife’butrefusedalistingonthegroundsthattheForgehadbeen‘extendedandmodifiedmanytimesinitslonghistoryandverylittleoftheoriginalbuildingnowexists’.

The Parish Council was at first willing to listen to Croucher’s proposals and its vote had been equally divided; it asked the District Council to defer its consideration of the application so that cricketing issues could be considered10. Meanwhile, village residents led by the chairman of the Cricket Club, George Bartlett, had formed The East Meon Forge and Cricket Ground Protection Association, to fight the application. Its object was ‘to protect and renovate and/or secure the protection and renovation of the old Forge, East Meon, and secure, facilitate and/or promote its use as a workplace or other form of premises …’ It hoped to raise sufficient funds to purchase the building from the Crouchers.11

On the cricket front, the English Cricket Board was approached and entered an objection to the planning application; it also referred the matter to Sport England on whose advice a report was commissioned which stated that the very short distance between the square and the Forge represented a significant risk of damage by cricket balls and that the building should be designed to protect its residents. Mr Croucher proposed a 4-metre-high net to be erected on match days, window and door shutters, and a protective net and an awning for the deck. Sport England advised that the proposed measures, while positive, were not enforceable through the planning system.

10ThestatementmadebytheChairofEastMeonParishCounciltoEHDCPlanningCommitteeinAugust2013isattachedasAppendix3.11AfullaccountofeventswrittenbyGeorgeBartlettisavailableasAppendix6

9

On April 3rd 2014 the council granted planning permission on the application made in October 2013. The Association took the case to Judicial Review at the High Court in 2015; after careful analysis both of the protective design measures proposed for the building, including reinforced glass, and of the nature of the batting stroke required to hit a ball far enough in that direction (a ‘square drive’ from one end, or an ‘on drive’ from the other’) and it emphasised the need to preserve the mighty sycamore tree which stood to the west of the Forge (and offered spectators protection from cricket balls).

TheAssociationcontendedthatrestoringthebuildingwouldconserveitbetterthanafirstfloorflatconstructedoftimberandglass;whenitscontentionwasignoreditappliedtotheHighCourtforpermissiontoapplyforJudicialReviewtoquashtheplanningpermission.Aperiodofskirmishesfollowed,withtheCrouchersattemptingtodemolishpartsofthebuildingwhile theAssociationsoughtandwonan injunctionpreventing theCrouchersfromcarryingoutworksofdevelopmentordemolition.TheAssociation’scasecamebeforeMrsJusticeLangintheHighCourton23and24October2014.Onthefirstdaythejudgesurprisedtheworld’spressbyaskingtheAssociation’scounsel“Whataresixesandfours12?”SheruledinJunethat:“TherepresentationsmadebySportEngland,thattheproposedmitigatingmeasureswereunenforceableandapermanentball-stopfencewasrequired,weresound.Inmyjudgment,theofficersandthePlanningCommitteefailedtohaveproperregardtotherepresentationsofSportEnglandinitscapacityasstatutoryconsultee.Inconsequencetheproposeddevelopmentcreatesunacceptablerisksforitsfutureoccupantsandforthecricketclub.”SheaccordinglyquashedtheplanningpermissionandawardedtheAssociationitscostsagainsttheCouncil.On11February2016theSDNPAplanningcommittee,havingheardrepresentationsfromthechairmanofEastMeonParishCouncil,SusanDavenport,andfromGeorgeBartlett,unanimouslyrefusedplanningpermission.AlthoughtheAssociationhadbeenfrustratedinitsattemptstobuythebuildingforrestorationasaworkshop,theForgewasboughtin2016byKevinDavies,aresidentofEastMeon,andhisbusinesspartner,MatthewHampshireasanofficefortheirnewmediaagencyMandarinKite.Thebuildinghasnowbeensensitivelyrestoredanditremains,asEnglishHeritageputit,“avaluablereminderoftheimportanceofthesmithyinvillagelife”.

12NotablytheTimesofIndia,whichexpressedsurprisethatanEnglishHighCourtjudgeshouldneedtoaskthequestion.

10

TheForgeJune2018,withForgeCottagebehind.PhotoPaulLafferty

11

Appendices Appendix 1 Parish Registers of burials & Baptisms showing Blacksmiths Burials

Date Year First name Last name Abode Age Comments Est birth year

27-Jan 1791 John Collins

85 Blacksmith 1706

16-Aug 1790 Mary Lock Bordean 32 Wife of Jno. Lock, blacksmith

1767

01-Feb 1811 George Locke

78 Blacksmith 1733

4-Apr 1843 James Lock Eastmeon 80

1763

30-Sep 1799 William Love Eastmeon

Blacksmith

15-Dec 1803 William Love East Meon

Blacksmith

28-Nov 1809 William Love

Blacksmith

23-Feb 1782 Wm. Love?

Blacksmith

26-Nov 1879 James William Locke East Meon 24

1855

3-Feb 1939 James Hobbs East Meon 80 Double grave 1859

19-Feb 1941 Anne Hobbs East Meon 81 Double 1860

19-Sep 1957 Reginald Donald Hobbs Orchard Cottage 62

1895

Baptisms

12-Mar 1883 Ada Louisa James & Ann Hobbs East Meon Blacksmith

03-Mar 1890 Ethel Grace James & Annie Hobbs East Meon Blacksmith

20-Sep 1891 Archibald Leslie James & Annie Hobbs East Meon Blacksmith

15-Oct 1893 Harold Edgar James & Annie Hobbs East Meon Blacksmith

05-Apr 1896 Reginald Donald James & Annie Hobbs East Meon Blacksmith

22-Mar 1898 Herbert Victor James & Annie Hobbs East Meon Blacksmith

Appendix 2 Email from Bill Gosney, Trustee of Petersfield Museum, 30th August 2018 1)Freddiewasinvolvedwiththeearlyyearsofthemuseumandduringthistimeheindicatedtothethenchairman,JohnHolt,thathewouldleavethemuseumsomethinginhiswill.Howeverhedidnotindicatewhatorhowmuch.2)FollowingFreddie'sdeathon6thJanuary2004hiswillincludedabequesttothemuseumfortheresidualafterallotherbenefactorsandexpenseshadbeenpaid.Iattachacopyofthewillforyourperusal.Importantlyyouwillnotethatnoindividualitemorpropertywasnamedorspecifiedinthebequesttothemuseum.YouwillalsonotethatheleftsmallbequeststoseveralorganisationsinEastMeonincludingtheCricketClub.

12

3)Theexecutors/trustees(detailsshowninwill)disposedofallresidualassetsasspecified,withtheexceptionoftheforgewhichtheywereunabletosell.Theysubsequentlyaskedthemuseumtoacceptthispropertyinlieuofpaymentasthewillspecified.Themuseumtrusteesagreed.4)Fromtheoutsetoftheirownershipoftheforge,themuseumexperiencedproblemswithrentalpayment(thisiswelldocumentedinthemuseumrecords).Forthisreasonthemuseumdecidedtoselltheproperty.5)Themuseumwasadvisedthatasacharitabletrusttheyhadtoputthesaleouttoopentender,whichtheydid.DuringthistimeindividualsandorganisationsinEastMeonindicatedtheymayliketopurchasethebuildingforthebenefitofthecommunity.Unfortunatelytheycouldnotproceedwithabidwithinthestatedtimescaleforthebidandthemuseumwereprofessionallyadvisedthattheycouldnotextendthedateasbidshadalreadybeenreceivedfromothers.6)AswillseeinthewillFreddiemadenostipulationastohowthemoneyshouldbeusedbutknowingthatFreddiewasoneofseveralpeoplethathadwantedthemuseumtoemployaprofessionalcuratorthetrusteesdecidedtoinvestthemoneyandusetheincomeearnttopaythesalaryofacurator.Thisprinciplehasservedthemuseumwellandstillsurvives.7)Freddie'sbequestisheldaspartofthemuseum'sreserves,someofwhichwillbeusedtofundtheredevelopmentbuttheprinciplein6)stillcontinues.Importantly,theproceedsofthesaleoftheforgewerenotusedtofundthepolicestation.IhavebeentotallyopenwithyouandIhopetheinformationabove,allofwhichcanbeverifiedfrommuseumrecordsisofhelptoyou.InthecircumstancesIwouldgreatlyappreciateifyouwouldallowmesightofthepartsofyourbookthatrefertomattersrelatingtothebequest,theForgeanditsdisposal.Havingsaidallthis,withoutFreddie’samazinglygenerousbequestandforesightthemuseumwouldnotbewhereitistodayandIamsurethathewouldbemorethandelightedtoseethenewmuseumopenforPetersfieldandthesurroundingvillagesin2020

13

Appendix 3 The Forge – What next? Statement by the late Denys RyderInthemiddleofJanuaryIreceivednoticethattheForgewasupforSale.Thisinterestedme,because,formeitisaniconicpartofthehistoryofEastMeon,andpassingiteverydayonmytravels,ithasbecomesomewhatofapieceofthefurniture,ifImayputitthatway.ButitdoeshaveitsusesandIfeltitwasworthexploringtoseeifitcouldbeobtainedforthevillage.Iapproachedothervillagers,andoveradozenpeoplepledgedtheirsupport.They.likeme,feltthatitshouldbesavedforthebenefitofthevillageasawhole.AfterallitisstillcapableofbeingusedasaworkingSmithy,oraworkshopofsomekindorother.Whattranspiredisthat,Iandotherinterestedparties,knowingthatthepresenttenantofthebuildingwasinterestedinpurchasingit,decidedtostandbackandnotattempttooverbidhim,aswethoughthisbidwasaveryreasonableone,aswellasknowingsomeof theproblemsandpitfalls. Thesellers,whoweretheTrusteesofthePetersfieldMuseum,decidedtosellitoutsidethevillagetosomeonewhoisthoughttobeadeveloper.Thisisnotyetanotherarticleon‘developerbashing’.Farfromit.Itisawakeupcalltoallthoselivinginthevillagetosaywhatdoyouwantdonewithbuildingswhichhavepassedtheir‘Bestbefore’date?The lateFreddieStanfieldwhogave theForge to thePetersfieldMuseum inhisWill, andwhohad livedoppositetheForgeformanyyears,oncesaidtome“ItwasupforsalejustafterIcametothevillage,andIputinabidof£250inorderthatitwasnotturnedintoeitheraFish&ChipshoporaBrothel”.Weshallneverknownowwhathistruefeelingswereaboutit,butwhatwedoknowisthatintheearly1970shepurchasedHeycroftHouseintheSquarewhichwasinapoorstateofrepair,andwithGeraldLambertashisheadworkman,spentalotoftimeandmoney,renovatingittowhatitistoday.Soonemightassumethathewasaconservationistnota‘knockitdownandputupsomeothermonstrosity’typeofperson.IamnotsayingthattheTrusteesofthePetersfieldMuseumhaveactedinanyimproperway,butknowingtheextentofthemunificencethatFreddiebestowedupontheMuseumatthetimeofhisdeath,Iwouldhavethoughtitwouldhavebeenonlypoliteforthemtohavecontactedthe‘Elders’inthevillageanddiscussedwiththemastowhetherthevillagewouldhavebeenpreparedtobuytheForgeforthebenefitofthevillage.FromwhereIstanditwouldappearthat£signsloomedinfrontofsomeeyesandwenowknowthatthepresenttenantoftheForgewasunsuccessfulinhisbid.Hehasanothernineandabityearsofhisleasetorunsomaybeanychangewillbeforthefuture,butagainIask“WhatNext”?Aninterestingiconicbuildinginthevillagestandsjustinsidethegardenofoneofthe‘ForbesArmsHouses’.ItistheoldVillageWellandhaslongsincepasseditsusefullife,butthebuildingstillstandsandfeaturesinmostpictureswhenphotographersaretakingapictureupChurchStreetandtheChurch.Ithinkifanyonesaidthatitshouldbeknockeddownandusedasapublictoilet,therewouldbeanoutcryaroundthevillage.SomemaythinktheForge,asabuilding,isofnoparticulararchitecturalinterest,butthenneitheristheIsaacWaltonortheVillageStores.Butbothserveapurposewhichisneededbysomeinthevillage...IfIsuggestedthattheformershouldbeknockeddowntomakewayformorehouses,howeverimportantaccommodationfortheyoungerfamiliesinthevillagecurrentlyis,Ifeelsuretherewouldbeuproar.IfIweretosuggestthatthereisgreatervarietyandmorechoicetobefoundinthesupermarketsinPetersfieldandneighbouringvillages, so why do we need the village stores, I would be likely to find myself being strung up. Thecommunityonlyexistsasacommunityifthereareeverydayfacilitiesforalltouseandenjoy.

14

Appendix 4 Submission by Chair of East Meon Parish Council, to EHDC planning committee - 29/08/13 ToprovidesomecontexttosomeoftheinterestandlegitimateconcernsaroundthefutureoftheOldForge,I’dliketobrieflytouchuponrecentchronologyandtheprocessleadingtotheparishcouncil’spresentposition.TheOldForgehasbeen,anhistoricvillagelandmarkbuilding.ItwaspartofaverygenerousbequesttothePetersfieldMuseumbyanEastMeonresident,whowasalsoalocalhistorianofsomerenown.ThereisastrongfeelingintheparishthatthemuseumunderminedthespiritofthatbequestbysubsequentlysellingtheForge,afterafewyears.Theconsequenceofthiswasthatwithasignificantrentincreaseandotherrepairdemands,theartisantenantoftheForge,ofmanyyears,hadlittleoptionotherthantomove.TheForgebecamevacantandprogressivelydeterioratedover3yearsuntilitwasboughtbyMrCroucher.DuringthisperiodtheparishcouncilhadalsounsuccessfullyappliedtohavethebuildinglistedbyEnglishHeritage,althoughtheydidrecogniseitasanimportanthistoricbuilding.EarlierthisyearMrCrouchersubmittedaplanningapplicationwhichhealsopresentedatafullparishcouncilmeeting.Afterconsideringtheproposal,theparishcouncilasaconsultee,submittedtheirobjectionbecauseoftwokeyconcerns:Firstly,thescaleoftheenlargedbuildingwasinappropriateforthesiteandsecondly,giventheraisedheightandadditionofwindows/solarpanelsattherear,theveryrealpotentialfordisputeswiththeadjoiningcricketclubground,ofwhichtheparishcouncilhaveresponsibilitiesastrustees.Thatapplicationwassubsequentlywithdrawn.Withthepresentrevisedapplication,theparishcouncil’ssubplanninggrouphavehadseveralon-sitevisitswithMrCrouchertobetterassessthenewproposal,anditsimpactonboththecricketclubandanyotherneighbouringproperties.Afullsetofhardcopydrawingswerealsodistributedtoallparishcouncillors,togetherwithanobjectivelistofpros/consforallcouncillorstoconsider.Theresultingvotewastied.Giventhissituation,werequestedthattheapplicationshouldalsobereviewedandgiventhewiderconsiderationofthisplanningcommittee.Wefeltthatthiswasinthebestinterestsofallparties.Astrusteesoftherecreationgroundtheparishcouncilhasaresponsibilitytoensuretheproposeddevelopmentshouldnotimpact,orthreaten,thecricketclub’smodusoperandi,eithernoworinthefuture-andthattheirviewsandarticulatedissuesshouldbegiventhefullestconsiderationofthiscommittee.Finally,thereisalsogeneralagreementthatthefuturepreservationofthebuildingisbestachievedasaworkingartisanbusiness.AlanRedpath

15

Appendix 5 Notes from Statement of Accounts of Oxenbourne Fuel & Recreation Ground Charity 1903 – 1951 1903

Trustees:RevT.H.Masters,J.BonhamCarterEsq,HenryBerry,HenryColes,JamesHobbs(blacksmithowningtheForge)BalanceinHandatbeginningofAccount:RentpaidbyEastMeonCricketClub: £3.3sRentofPasture £5Payments17CottagersFuels £14.5Poorrates 16s.11dSalaryofcaretaker £1Repairstofencing £1.15sRoomformeetings 4s1904

Ditto,butBalanceinhandincludesSubscriptionofJohnBonhamCarter,£11906

Ditto1907 - 1912

Thecharityisnownamed‘EastMeonRecreationGround’.TrusteesnowincludeWilliamGrahamNicholsonMP,BasingParkAlton,WalterDicker,EastMeon,GeorgeWilliams,EastMeonNicholsonpaystheSubscriptionof£1.TaxandratescomeunderPayments1918 - 20

DickernolongeraTrustee,ErnestJordantakesover.RevMastersnowhasaCBE.1923

MajorM.NicholsonofBereleighhastakenoverfromWilliamNicholsonMP;RevClaudeBeckwithhasnowtakenoverfromMasters.GAtkinsonofSouthFarmandMrMorrisofFrogmorefromWilliamsandJordan.Nosubscriptionpaid.Paymentsnowinclude‘Tithe&stamps’,‘Tithe’,Rates,IncomeTax…1929

Balanceincludes£6fromJamesHobbs,whooperatedtheForge.‘ParticularsofEndowmentandIncomeincludes‘HerbageW.J.Hobbs’

16

1932. RevC.E.MylnetakesoverfromBeckwithUnder‘Particulars’&c:PillMeadowEastMeonfeedletannuallybytenderMrJHobbs,theCricketpitchthesameThenextsetofaccountsisfor1950…Trustees:P.H.Berry,farmer(HonTreas),C.W.Pollardinsuranceagentandclerktotheparishcouncil(HonSec),J.M.Steel,EngineerandChairmanParishCouncil,H.B.Goddard(Herbie)Motormechanic,ParishCouncillor,Rev.FGoddard,vicarTheonlyfigureintheBalanceisrentforelectriclightpole(1s)1951.ditto,butBalanceincludesalsograzing(£1)Pickingthebones:Therearenoaccountsfrom1932to1950.TheoriginalTrusteesincludedthevicarand,first,JohnBonhamCarterandthenW.Nicholson,MP,followedbyMajorNicholsonofBereleigh,plusOxenbournefarmers,thenAtkinsons,andHobbswhowastheblacksmithattheForge.From1950,theParishCouncilprovidedthebulkoftheTrustees,includingthedoughtyHerbieGoddard,latertobechairofthePCandoftheVH,knownastheMayorofEastMeon. Appendix 6 Account by George Bartlett, Chair of The East Meon Forge and Cricket Ground Protection Association TheForgewasboughtin[the1970s]byFreddieStandfield,wholivedinForgeCottage,immediatelyopposite. Hewastheauthorof theHistoryofEastMeonandwaskeentopreserve itsheritage. Duringhisownershipthebuildingremained inuseasaworkingforge. He served theCricketClub formanyyearsas itsPresidentandwas itsgreatestsupporter.FreddieStandfielddiedin2004andinhiswillhelefttheForgetothePetersfieldMuseumalongwithrestofhisresiduaryestate.Thebuildinghadalowrentalvalue,andin2010theMuseumdecidedtosellit.Itwassoldtoapropertydeveloper,whointurnsoldittoaMrCroucherfor£68,000.WhentheEastMeonConservationAreawasdesignatedin1968itsboundaryhadbeendrawnsoastoincludetheForge.TheForgewasnotalistedbuilding,althoughitwasonHampshireCountyCouncil’slistof“Treasures”,andin2009theParishCouncilhadsoughttohaveitplacedonthestatutorylist.EnglishHeritageconsideredthatthebuildingdidnotmeettheexactingcriteriaforlisting,butitsaid:

17

“ItisundeniablytruethattheForgeaddstothepicturesqueaspectofEastMeon,andisavaluablereminderoftheimportanceoftheforgeorsmithyinvillagelife.Forthisreasonthebuildingisof local interestanditsprotectionshouldlie inthelocaldesignationsofconservationarea,AreaofOutstandingNaturalBeautyandNationalPark.”

PetersfieldMuseumtooktheviewthatitoughttomaximisetheamountofmoneyitcouldobtainbysellingtheForge.ItdidnotconsiderthatitneededtohaveregardtothehistoricvalueofthebuildingoritscontributiontotheConservationAreaorthesettingofForgeCottage.Theconveyancethereforeplacednorestrictionsonwhatmightbedonewiththebuilding, and it provided for an uplift in the purchase price in the event of planningpermissionbeinggrantedfordevelopment.InJanuary2013MrCroucher,whosaidthathewishedtoprovideacarpentryworkshopfor his son with a flat above, applied to East Hampshire District Council for planningpermissiontodeveloptheForgewithan“extensiontocreatefirstfloortoprovidehabitableaccommodation and provision of decked area to rear”. The consultation advice of theCouncil’sConservationOfficer,however,wasadverse.Itsaid:

“Whateverheritageinterestandsignificanceonemightattributetothecurrentbuildingwillbelargelyeroded.Idonotthereforeconsidersupportfortheintendedschemecouldbe derived from it being shown to preserve or enhance the Forge as a heritageasset…Becausetheschemeisdependenttosomeextentonsqueezingwhatseemslikeaquartintoapintpotitisdifficulttosuggestanobviousresolution.”

Inconsequenceofthisadvicetheapplicationwaswithdrawn.InJune2013MrCrouchersubmittedasecondplanningapplicationwiththesamedescriptionofdevelopmentasinthefirstapplicationandinmateriallythesameform(theroofhavingbeenslightlyreducedinheight).ThisapplicationdrewalargenumberofobjectionsfromEastMeonresidents,whowereparticularlyconcernedaboutthedamagetothebuildingandtheConservationArea.Inaddition,objectors,includingtheEastMeonCricketClubanditssupporters,sawthe proposed residential building, with windows and a terrace overlooking andimmediatelyadjoiningtheground,asposingathreattothecontinuedplayingofcricketontheground.Caselawhasestablishedthatifacricketballishitoutofthegroundandcausesinjurytoapersonordamagetoproperty,thehomecricketclubasoccupierofthegroundisliableinlawtopaydamagesfortheinjurysufferedorthedamagethathasbeendone.Andthefactthatcrickethasbeenplayedonthegroundsincelongbeforetheneighbouringlandwasdevelopedisnobartoentitlementtodamages.TheForgehadfrequentlybeenhitbycricketballs.In1977inacasecalledMillervJacksontheownersofahouseonarecentlybuiltestatetookproceedingsagainstthelocalcricketclub,whichhadplayedcricketontheadjoininglandformanydecades.Thegreat20thcenturyjudgeLordDenning,whodidnotseekinhis judgment to disguisewhere his sympathies lay (he began: “In summertime villagecricketisthedelightofeveryone...”),wasinnodoubtabouttherootoftheproblemcausedbythenewdevelopment.Hesaid:“Theplanningauthoritiesoughtnottohaveallowedit.”Here the planning authority did allow it. Despite the objections to the proposeddevelopment, on 29 August 2013 EHDC’s planning committee resolved to grantpermission.Followingthis,on28September2013,villagersformedtheEastMeonForgeandCricketGroundProtectionAssociationwiththetwinobjectivesofsavingthebuilding

18

fromtheproposeddevelopmentandacquiringitforrestorationasaworkshop.WithinashorttimeofitsformationthemembershipoftheAssociationhadrisento146,thegreatmajorityofwhomwereresidentsofEastMeon,althoughtherewerealsosomewhohadmovedawayafteralongresidence.OneofthesewasSirJohnChadwick,aretiredCourtofAppealjudge,whohadnotlongbeforemovedtoWinchesterafterlivingatLowerHouseFarmformanyyears.SirJohnwasparticularlyconcernedabouttheharmtothebuildingand, as a Vice-President of the cricket club, the threat to the playing of cricket. TheAssociation’s Committee, with Sir John as President, consisted of George Bartlett(Chairman), Stuart Martin (Vice-Chairman), Emma Burton (Secretary), Joe Selby(Treasurer),DenysRyder,ChrisMoor,RichardBartlett,RussellWrightandJohnBall.ChrisMoorlatersucceededJoeSelbyasTreasurer.Thecommitteemetfrequentlyinthecourseofthe2½yearsthatittooktoresolvetheplanningproblem.ImmediatelyafteritsformationtheAssociationinstructeditssolicitor,WilliamBartlettofProspect Law, to seek Judicial Review of the Council’s decision. The decision waschallengedonthebasisthatitwasunlawfulbecauseoftheCouncil’sfailuretotakeaccountofthedamagetotheConservationAreaandtheplayingofcricketontheground. On5November2013theCouncilsaidthatitwouldconsenttojudgmentagainstit,acceptingtheunlawfulnessofitsdecision.ThedecisionwasaccordinglyquashedbytheHighCourtbyagreement,theCouncilpayingtheAssociation’scostsinfull.On14October2013MrCroucherhadmadeathirdapplicationforthedevelopment. Itwasinidenticaltermstothesecondone.TheAssociationforitsparttooktwosteps.Itapplied for the registration of the Forge as an Asset of Community Value under theLocalismAct2011,and,becauseofitsconcernaboutthethreattocricket-playingthattheproposed development represented, it sought assistance from the England andWalesCricketBoard(ECB),thegoverningbodyofcricketinthiscountry.LiaisonwiththeECB(and in due course Sport England) was maintained throughout by Chris Moor, theAssociation committeememberwhowas alsoTreasurer of the Cricket Club (and laterTreasureroftheAssociation).TheAssociation’sapplicationforregistrationoftheForgeasanAssetofCommunityValuewassuccessfulandtheregistrationwasinduecoursemadeon6March2014.Theeffectofregistrationwastopreventtheownerofthebuildingfromdisposingofitwithoutfirstgivingacommunitybodytheopportunity tobid for it. Itwasalsoarecognitionof theimportanceofthebuildingtothelocalcommunity.TheAssociationsoughtadvicefromaconservation architect, a quantity surveyor and a commercial estate agent, and theirreportsshowedthatrestorationofthebuildingforuseasaworkshopwasviable.OfferstopurchasethebuildingwereinduecoursemadebytheAssociation,butthesewerenotaccepted.On the cricket front the ECB entered an objection to the planning application. It alsoreferred the matter to Sport England (the statutory body with responsibility for theprotection of playing fields) and put the Association in touchwith a laboratory calledLabosport,whichgivesindependentexpertadviceonhazardsarisingfromsportingeventsandthemeasuresrequiredtoprotectagainstthem.LabosportproducedareportwhichconcludedthatinviewoftheveryshortdistancebetweenthesquareandtheForge(36matitsshortest)andthevelocityofthecricketballstheriskofdamagewassignificantandadesignsolutionforprotectionofthebuildingwasrequired.

19

InthelightoftheLabosportreportMrCroucherproposedarangeofprotectivemeasures,suchasa4metrehighnettobeerectedonmatchdays,windowanddoorshutters,andaprotective net and an awning for the deck. Sport England advised that the proposedmeasures,whilepositive,werenotenforceable throughtheplanningsystem. Theonlypieceofenforceablemitigationwouldbeaball-stopfence,permanentlyinstalled,withaplanningconditionrequiringitsinstallationandmaintenance.At the end of January 2014 it had been observed that excavations to the floor of thebuildingwerebeingcarriedout,andthechimneywasbeingdemolished.TheAssociationrequestedtheCounciltotakeenforcementactioninrespectoftheseworks,buttheCouncilsaidthattheworkswereworksofrepairandthereforedidnotneedplanningpermission.TheAssociation then sought judicial reviewof theCouncil’s refusal. The result of thisapplication was that the works were stopped, and, although the court refused aninjunction,theywerenotresumed.On3April2014thecouncilgrantedplanningpermissiononthefurtherapplicationthathadbeenmadeinOctober2013.TheAssociationhadprovidedevidencethatrestorationofthebuildingasaworkshopwaseconomicallyviable,whereastheproposedworkstocreate a first floor flatwereonly viable if the expectationwas that thewholebuildingwouldinduecoursebeturnedintoahouse.TheAssociationpointedoutthattheForgehadnowbeenregisteredasacommunityassetandthatithadthefundstoacquireitandrestore it as aworkshop. Reliancewas placed on the objection of Sport England, thestatutoryconsultee,thattheproposedsafetymeasureswouldnotbeadequateorcapableof planning control. And the Association made the very obvious contention thatrestorationofthebuildingwasbetterintermsofconservationthandestroyingitwithafirstfloorflatconstructedoftimberandglass.Thesecontentionshavingbeenignoredorrejectedwithoutadequatereason,theAssociationappliedtotheHighCourtforpermissiontoapplyforJudicialReviewtoquashtheplanningpermission.On5June2014MrJusticeCollinsgrantedtheAssociationpermissiontoapplyforJudicialReview,andon23June2014MrJusticeMitting,astheAssociationhadasked,grantedastaypreventingthecouncilfromapprovingdetailsundertheplanningpermissionandaninjunction preventing the Crouchers from carrying out works of development ordemolition.Sometime shortly after Mr Justice Mitting had granted the injunction against theCrouchers,theyappliedtohavetheinjunctionvariedtoenablethemtocarryoutwhattheysaidwere“vitalworks”. On14July2014ProspectLawrequestedthemtospecifywhatthese“vitalworks”wereandtheurgencyforthem.ThenextdaytheCouncil’sBuildingSurveyorvisited thebuildingandwrote to theCrouchersunder theBuildingAct1984sayingthatthebuildingwas“in imminentdangerofcollapse”. MrCroucherthereuponsurrounded the building in security fencing and posted upon it an enlargement of theBuildingSurveyor’sletterandanoticesaying“DangerousBuilding–KeepOutbyorderofEastHantsDistrictCouncil”.TheCrouchers’applicationtovarytheinjunctionwasheardbyMrJusticeSaleson23July2014.ThejudgeaskedMrCroucherwhatwerethe“vitalworks”thathewishedtocarryout andwhat evidencewas relied on, andMr Croucher said that the works were the

20

removaloftheroofandthesubstantialdemolitionofthewallsandthattheevidencewasthe letter from the Council’s Building Surveyor. The judge said that the letterwas noevidence that the works were needed, and he ordered that the Association’s buildingsurveyorbegivenaccess to thebuilding toenablehimtoproduceareport. The judgerefused the application to vary the injunction, andhe orderedMrCroucher to pay theAssociation’scosts.On29July2014theAssociation’ssurveyor,MrSmalley,inspectedthebuildingtogetherwith the Council’s Building Surveyor. Mr Smalleywrote a report stating that the onlysectionofwallrequiringattentionwasasmallsectionaboveadooronthenorthelevation,that therehadbeenno recentmovement (aswas confirmedby the surveyorwhohadinspected the building in 2012 on behalf of Mr Croucher), and that (as the Council’sBuilding Surveyor agreed) all that was needed to prevent further movement was theinsertionofsometimbercrossbeamsintheroof.MrCroucherdidnotrenewhisapplicationtothecourt.TheCouncil’sBuildingSurveyordidnotdisagreewithMrSmalley’sreport,andnoworkstothebuildingwerecarriedout.Thesecurityfencingsurroundingthebuilding,andthenoticesaffixedtoit,neverthelessremainedinplaceforanumberofmonths.The Association’s judicial review challenge to the grant of planning permission camebeforeMrsJusticeLangintheHighCourton23and24October2014.Onthefirstday,whentheAssociation’scounseltoldthejudgethatthebuildingwasfrequentlyhitbysixesandfours,sheaskedhim:“Whataresixesandfours?”Thisquestionreceivedextensivecoverage in the world’s press the next day, the Times of India showing the greatestastonishment that anEnglishHighCourt judge should need to ask it. And the judge’snotoriousquestionwaslaterthesubjectofanentryinthe2015editionofWisden(Wisden’sCricketers’Almanac,152ndedn,p168),almostcertainlytheonlyreferencetoEastMeonCCinthelonghistoryofthepublication.Mrs Justice Lang gave judgment on 31 October 2014 (R (EastMeon Forge and CricketGround Protection Association) v East Hampshire District Council [2014] EWHC 3543(Admin)). She concluded that EHDChad not erred in law in deciding as it did on theConservationAreaandalternativeschemesgroundsofchallenge,butthattheCouncilhadfailedtohaveproperregardtotherepresentationsofSportEngland.Shesaid:

“TherepresentationsmadebySportEngland,thattheproposedmitigatingmeasureswereunenforceableandapermanentball-stopfencewasrequired,weresound.Inmyjudgment,the officers and the Planning Committee failed to have proper regard to therepresentationsofSportEnglandinitscapacityasstatutoryconsultee.Inconsequencetheproposed development creates unacceptable risks for its future occupants and for thecricketclub.”

ThejudgeaccordinglyquashedtheplanningpermissionandawardedtheAssociationitscostsagainsttheCouncil.Thedecisionimmediatelybecameanimportantprecedent.FortyyearsonfromMillervJackson, theEastMeon Forge case nowprovides a firmbasis for resisting the grant ofplanningpermissionforresidentialdevelopmentthatwouldconflictwiththeplayingof

21

cricket.Bothdevelopersandplanningauthoritiesrecognisethatsuchdevelopmenthastobesituatedsufficientlyfarfromtheplayingarea,ortobeadequatelyprotectedbyphysicalmeasuresagainstdamagebycricketballs,ifitistobeacceptable.After theplanningpermissionhadbeenquashed, theapplicationhadtobedeterminedafresh, and SouthDownsNational Park Authority called the application in for its owndetermination. On 11 February 2016 the SDNPA planning committee, having heardrepresentations from the chairmanofEastMeonParishCouncil, SusanDavenport, andfromtheAssociation’schairman,unanimouslyrefusedplanningpermission.Thatwaseffectivelytheendofthelong-runningplanningsaga,whichhadinvolvedtwojudicialreviewsaswellasotherproceedingsintheHighCourt.ItlefttheAssociationwiththeneedtofinalisethefinances.AttheoutsettheAssociationhadreceivedasubstantialdonationfromthePresident,and,duringthe13monthsthattheproceedingshadtaken,StuartMartin,theDeputyChairman,hadensuredthattherewasasufficientcashflowtomeetalltheoutgoings.TheAssociationhadbeenawardeditscostsagainsttheCouncil,butsuchanawardneverresultsinafullrecoveryofallthathasbeenspent,andtheAssociationwasintheendleftwithadeficitof£24,875,which,betweenthem,anumberofmembersandtheCricketClubagreedtofinance.(ThecoststhathadbeenincurredbyEHDCinresistingtheproceedingswouldhavebeenwellinexcessof£100,000,andthisgivessomeideaofthefinancialriskthathadbeenincurredinmakingthechallengestothedevelopmentproposals.)Then,however,theEnglandandWalesCricketBoardwrotetotheCricketClubtosaythatingratitudefortheachievementofadecisionthathadestablishedprotectionforcricketclubsupanddownthecountry,itwouldfinancethewholeofthedeficit.Furthergoodnewswastofollow.AlthoughtheAssociationhadbeenfrustratedinitsattemptstobuythebuildingforrestorationasaworkshop,thebuildingwassoldin2016toKevinDavies,along-standingresidentofEastMeon,andhisbusinesspartner,MatthewHampshire,forrestorationasanofficefortheirdesigncompany,MandarinKite.Theresultisthatthebuildinghasnowbeensensitivelyrestoredtoaveryhighstandard,sothatitsfutureisassured.Itthusremains,asEnglishHeritageputit,“avaluablereminderoftheimportanceoftheforgeorsmithyinvillagelife”,anditwillcontinuetomakeitscontributiontotheConservationAreaandthesettingofForgeCottage.