Andrew Basnett Fund

A fund which remembers the talents of the blacksmith and art metal worker
Andrew Basnett by inspiring and supporting the next generation of artisans.

About the Andrew Basnett Fund

The Andrew Basnett Fund is focused on inspiring and supporting future blacksmithing talent. It proudly funds:

The annual Andrew Basnett Blacksmith Masterclass, held at Hereford College of Arts
Bursaries to students on the Blacksmith MA course at Hereford College of Arts who are in particular need
Discretionary grants to other initiatives and individuals focused on developing the craft of blacksmithing

Applications are currently considered on an annual basis, sign up to our e-newsletter for notifications.

Please note, applications will not be considered from statutory bodies or organisations based outside Herefordshire unless such organisations are specifically supporting projects within the County.

Remembering Andrew Basnett

Andrew Basnett was born in Gillingham, Kent in 1966 and moved to Cheltenham aged twelve with his parents. On leaving school at eighteen, Andrew saw an advertisement for a trainee blacksmith with a small firm in Cheltenham and, after some trial sessions, it became clear he had a talent working with metal.

Within eighteen months, Andrew had enrolled on a blacksmithing course at Hereford College of Arts. He developed his skills for nearly 30 years, working from his own forge in North Yorkshire and was awarded a Diploma of Merit in 2018 by The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths.

Andrew worked with steel, iron, copper and brass and his diverse portfolio stretched from reproducing and restoring historic wrought iron, through to taking commissions for original sculptural pieces. His inspirations included the Arts and Crafts blacksmiths of the early twentieth century, particularly Alfred and Norman Bucknell and the German smith, Fritz Kuhn.

His work can be seen all over Yorkshire and beyond – particularly at the Beamish Museum, Durham where he had a long-standing connection and worked on many projects, including the ‘Steam Elephant’ replica locomotive. Pieces of his work are also in St Paul’s Cathedral, the Jorvik Museum in York and the York Railway Museum.

Sadly missed, Andrew’s legacy lives on through this special Fund to inspire and support new blacksmithing talent in Herefordshire.