Fire up the forge: free blacksmithing sessions to bring Owston Ferry’s historic smithy back to life

Local people will get the chance to step inside a working forge, learn traditional blacksmithing skills and make their own souvenir as part of a new heritage project in Owston Ferry.

Owston Ferry Smithy has been awarded £3,600 through North Lincolnshire Council’s Cultural Futures programme to run free blacksmithing taster sessions at The Old Smithy & Heritage Centre.

The project, called Sample the Smithy, will give residents the chance to engage directly with local heritage through small, supervised sessions using the forges and learning basic blacksmithing techniques.

It will also help bring the historic smithy to life, support essential repairs and improvements to equipment, and test demand for future workshops.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “This is living heritage – not something behind glass, but something people can touch, try and experience for themselves.

“The Old Smithy is part of Owston Ferry’s story, and this project will help open it up to more people, protect traditional skills and give residents the chance to make something with their own hands.”

The project is one of 14 new arts and heritage schemes awarded funding through Cultural Futures, a multi-year programme supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and North Lincolnshire Council to increase cultural activity across the area.

Cllr John Davison, cabinet member for Ashby, Bottesford and Scunthorpe, said: “There is something powerful about heritage you can actually take part in.

“Blacksmithing is practical, physical and creative, and these sessions will give people a real connection to the past while helping secure the future of a much-loved local heritage site.

“It is also a brilliant example of rural communities leading their own cultural activity, supported by volunteers who care deeply about keeping local history alive.”

The wider funding round will also support projects including a portable exhibition telling the story of Burton upon Stather’s role in the build-up to D-Day; a new 80-mile walking trail linked to Olaudah Equiano, John Wesley and stories of freedom and reform; a community film festival for North Lincolnshire; a multicultural celebration at The Baths Hall; and creative projects bringing young people, older residents, artists, volunteers and community groups together.

The projects awarded funding are:

Burton upon Stather Heritage Group – The BSHG Information & Display Unit

A portable walk-through exhibition telling the story of Burton upon Stather’s role in the build-up to D-Day, including Operation KATE and secret tank testing at the Tank Ramp site.

Epworth Old Rectory – The Equiano Way

A new 80-mile walking trail linking North Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire and Hull, exploring stories of freedom, faith and social change connected to Olaudah Equiano, John Wesley, the Pilgrim Fathers and Salim C. Wilson.

Indian Cultural Association North Lincolnshire – River of Talent 2027
A multicultural celebration at The Baths Hall featuring music, dance, Indian cuisine and community awards recognising contribution and social impact.

Kimberly Performing Arts – Stories in Motion
An intergenerational performing arts project bringing young dancers together with older residents to share memories and local stories through dance and musical theatre.

Oasis Hub – Layered Landscapes: The Scunthorpe Tapestry
A multi-generational creative project using photography, texture-mapping and textile art to reimagine Scunthorpe’s industrial architecture and community identity.

Over the Bridge – Artist Residency
A supported residency for an emerging local photographer to create new work inspired by North Lincolnshire’s people, places and heritage, culminating in a public exhibition or presentation.

Owston Ferry Smithy – Sample the Smithy
Free blacksmithing taster sessions at The Old Smithy & Heritage Centre, giving people the chance to use the forges, learn traditional skills and make a souvenir to take home.

Shepherd Creative – Lincs Film Festival
A research and development project and one-day proof of concept event to test demand for a future community film festival focused on northern stories, emerging talent and accessible participation.

STEAMPunx Lincs – Legends of the Humber: Creatures, Coast & Curiosity
A creative heritage project exploring folklore, landscapes and the environment through storytelling, art, poetry, imagined creatures and a cabinet of curiosities-style exhibition.

Street Beat – Culture Fusion
A dance project exploring cultural identity, heritage and racism through urban dance, guest artist workshops, choreography, performances and community sessions with young people.

Ted Lewis Centre – Dive with Ted Lewis into The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine
A project celebrating Ted Lewis’s work as Animation Clean-up Supervisor on Yellow Submarine, including oral histories, research, exhibitions and a live Beatles tribute event.

The Ropewalk – Barton Shops & Shopping: A Community Archive Project
A community-led heritage project collecting memories, photographs, objects and oral histories about Barton’s retail history, creating a digital archive, pop-up displays and workshops.

The Tent Project – Her-Story Project
A creative project supporting women in Scunthorpe to share experiences through art, craft and writing, with support from creative practitioners and wellbeing specialists.

Wilderspin National School Museum – The Art of Play: Past, Present and Reimagined
An artist residency led by Annabel McCourt exploring play, mischief and childhood through archive research, workshops, storytelling and a public exhibition.

In total, more than £63,000 has been awarded in this round.

The Cultural Futures programme is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and North Lincolnshire Council.

Find out more information, including the full criteria and how to apply for future funding, on the Cultural Futures webpage or email culturalfutures@northlincs.gov.uk.