The Forge

The House and Forge in School Lane was owned by Mr Arthur Painter. His father, Thomas, was brought up in Ashton Keynes and learned the smith's trade at Bibury where he worked. He married and raised three children and when his wife died he came to South Cerney. He married again, raised more children, and owned and worked the forge in School Lane. The business was carried on by his son Arthur, who had started shoeing at an early age. They mended carts, tools, harness-traces and agricultural machines. They also made scythes for 7/6 each. There used to be a forge in High Street, near the old cross, which was worked by Mr Edwards, and he was assisted by Mr Tom Painter. Arthur Painter learned the trade from him and started shoeing at an early age. Mr Woodward then owned the barn which is now the Village Hall. Jethro Dunn the stone mason lived opposite the school lane forge. When the wheel bonds of his cart wheels needed renewing, the smith used to slip the red hot bonds over the wheels and fling them into the brook to cool.

(Mr Arthur Painter)

Colts were bought in Ireland, shipped over and brought by rail to Cerney Station, driven up the village, thence to the forge, five at a time. They had never had a halter on them. There was one man in front and one behind. The Painters had to get halters on them. They threw a rope over the roof beam, the colts reared up and if necessary were thrown on their backs; after two falls the colts would stand trembling and could be tied and shod. Then they were turned out "over the hills".

(Mr Arthur Painter)