Our History

On the death of his father, John (Jack) Metcalfe took over the business of Farrier, Blacksmith and Lawn mower repairer. He was joined by his younger brother Albert, and in 1945, by his 14 year old son Maurice.

Following the war, motor vehicles gradually replaced the horses working in Eltham. Finally in 1959 the Co Op dairy retired their last horse drawn Milk Float in favour of battery power, and the last horse was shod in Pound Place.

The Blacksmith side of the business was slowly being taken over by lawn mower repairs, and new laws on smokeless fuels made keeping the forge alight virtually impossible, although welding and metal working continued.

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John Metcalfe at work on his anvil in 1970.
(Picture from News Shopper 12/3/70)

Since their father's death, Jack Metcalfe's sister Lilly had continued living in the adjoining house. On her death in 1970 John inherited the house and part of the downstairs was converted into a show room and shop.

With the decline in Blacksmith work the double work shop doors were removed and a shop front fitted increasing further the showroom area.

Although Jack's son Maurice Metcalfe effectively took over running the business, Jack never retired. Right up to his death in 1982 at the age of 80 he still considered himself as working, and running the family business.

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