Reason for the Panel Build
The panel is being built to celebrate the Guilds 50th anniversary 1968 - 2018 it is also as a memorial to one of the Guilds old Masters, Frank Day.
The panel is to celebrate the diversity of skills and styles of the smiths who are proud to call themselves members of
"The Guild of Wrought Iron Craftsmen of Wessex"
The Wessex Guild has a fine tradition of counting among its members some very fine smiths from all over the country and has had as its Master some Legendary Blacksmiths.
The panel is to celebrate the diversity of skills and styles of the smiths who are proud to call themselves members of
"The Guild of Wrought Iron Craftsmen of Wessex"
The Wessex Guild has a fine tradition of counting among its members some very fine smiths from all over the country and has had as its Master some Legendary Blacksmiths.
What is the Panel About?
The infill panels that will form the outer quadrant of the frame are based upon the four ancient elements of Earth, Wind, Fire and Water. There is a central panel that will hold the names of all the past Guild Masters and the Guild Lillie made by our dear departed friend Richard Jones FWCB.
There will be four lead Smith's in charge of one of the elemental panels each and the present guild Master Andrew Hall FWCB who was given the task of completing the main frame and stand.
The four Lead Smith's are:
Kevin Boyss with the Water Panel
Nick Peppitt with the Fire Panel
Graham Robinson with the Air Panel
Doug Campbell with the Earth Panel
The panel and the elements also represent points on a compass, North/Earth, South/Fire, West/Water and East/Air
As a symbol of the Guild, it is very important that the panel be easily transportable to and from different shows around the country, so the panel has been designed to be "flat packed" and even if I do say so myself has quite a presence!
There will be four lead Smith's in charge of one of the elemental panels each and the present guild Master Andrew Hall FWCB who was given the task of completing the main frame and stand.
The four Lead Smith's are:
Kevin Boyss with the Water Panel
Nick Peppitt with the Fire Panel
Graham Robinson with the Air Panel
Doug Campbell with the Earth Panel
The panel and the elements also represent points on a compass, North/Earth, South/Fire, West/Water and East/Air
As a symbol of the Guild, it is very important that the panel be easily transportable to and from different shows around the country, so the panel has been designed to be "flat packed" and even if I do say so myself has quite a presence!
The Earth Panel Design and What it Represents
The earth panel has been designed to represent the earths eternal cycle of life and death, the passing of time on the Gregorian calendar to show the life cycles of flora and also shows the correct Luna phase of the moon during both the Summer and Winter Solstices. The panel shows the passage of time with the presence of the standing stones, upon the standing stones there are two inscription types, the prehistoric cup and ring markings and the later Celtic Oghm inscrition, that can be found at the top of the left hand standing stone. The Oghm is Duir, the seventh letter in the Oghm alphabet and it represents the Oak. The oak has long been seen as a doorway to the under world, the translation of Duir, is door. The number 7 is still highly regarded by mystics.
The two standing stones themselves form a doorway, on one side a fence with spring flowers showing the time of rebirth, the other the mighty oak springing into life and dropping its leaves as you pass across the panel. The time of harvest and plenty is shown by a corn field and a harvest mouse and then the decaying fence and a Raven staring longingly back at the harvest mouse showing the time of want and death.
On the decaying fence, there is a single fallen oak leaf, this leaf represents all those that we have lost through our own journeys over the years.
The two standing stones themselves form a doorway, on one side a fence with spring flowers showing the time of rebirth, the other the mighty oak springing into life and dropping its leaves as you pass across the panel. The time of harvest and plenty is shown by a corn field and a harvest mouse and then the decaying fence and a Raven staring longingly back at the harvest mouse showing the time of want and death.
On the decaying fence, there is a single fallen oak leaf, this leaf represents all those that we have lost through our own journeys over the years.
A Joint Effort
Besides the Lead Smith's and the Master of the Guild and the Committee members, the Guild Panel has been a team effort from the start, with members of the Guild attending the AGM in October 2018 to get a good lump of work done. On my part I would like to thank the people who have helped out with the Earth panel specifically.
In no particular order:
Rowan Taylor, Phil Carter, James Crampton, Melissa Garfield, Keith Mytham and Nic Bevers.
The panels is to be completed and shown for the first time at the North Somerset Show on the 4th of May 2019, So more photos to come!!
In no particular order:
Rowan Taylor, Phil Carter, James Crampton, Melissa Garfield, Keith Mytham and Nic Bevers.
The panels is to be completed and shown for the first time at the North Somerset Show on the 4th of May 2019, So more photos to come!!
The Final Panel
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