Spark of an idea proves a big hit

Sep 6 2007 by Paula Owens, Liverpool Daily Post

A family tragedy has made Jake Schorah determined to forge out a new career as a blacksmith. Paula Owens reports

A FORMER engineer and member of the Royal Air Force is forging ahead with a new career in what some may consider a dying art.

After leaving the Air Force in March, Jake Schorah, 31, originally from Skelmersdale, decided to set up in business as a traditional blacksmith.

Mr Schorah, who lives in Upholland with his wife and daughter, undertook a week of training with an established blacksmith in Scotland before buying a barn in Upholland and converting it into a forge.

The former Upholland High School pupil said: “I do have some experience of working with metals.

“Before joining the Air Force, I worked in engineering for a few years so I’ve been doing metalwork and welding for many years. While in the Air Force, I made parts for aircraft and so on.

“I also enjoy restoring vintage cars and wagons as a hobby – so I’m not completely new to this line of work.

“When I knew I was leaving the Air Force, I was trying to decide what to do next. I had an anvil at home and one day I looked at it and thought ‘What shall I do with that?’

“Then it hit me - I decided to use it for what it was made for.

“In February, I found a blacksmith who could show me tricks of the trade. There aren’t many about these days, so I ended up going all the way to Lockerbie in Scotland for a week or so.”

Mr Schorah left the Air Force in March and found a wrecked barn in Upholland, which he bought and renovated. He started his business – Upholland Blacksmiths – in May.

Initially, he was intending to work with his sister Janet, who he trained up himself, but she passed away shortly before the business opened.

He said: “There were going to be two of us working together. When I had decided on my new career, I had a word with my sister and convinced her to come into business with me.

“A former gym instructor, it was a total change for her, but she was up for it and I taught her.

“Tragically, just before we were set to open, she had a fatal accident. Now I’m extra determined to make a success of this in her memory.

“She was one of the few who encouraged me to go ahead with it. A lot of people said I was a fool to try to start this business in this day and age.

“The boots she was going to wear are hanging up at the forge now.”

He says business is going well and he envisages himself taking on another member of staff eventually.

He said: “It is fast becoming a passion as well as a job. As I have created it myself, the forge feels very homely, especially when the fire is burning.

“I make run-of-the-mill things like gates, but my favourite part of the job is doing one-offs and making unusual objects. I love getting weird and wonderful requests.

“I’ve just done a stand for a horse’s foot and a joiner wants me to make 17th century doors for a house he is renovating.

“I’m also currently making a stainless steel fishcake rings for a restaurant.”

Anyone who would like to contact Upholland Blacksmiths should ring 01695 721877.

paulaowens