AWARD-winning blacksmith Philip Grob is about to start a new stage in his career as his brand new forge at Nether Wallop nears completion.

Amazingly, Philip has been working up until now on a borrowed forge at Kents Farm in Nether Wallop originally used by farriers during the First World War. It was open to the elements and limited the amount and size of the work he could undertake.

“I used to get a constant drip of rain down my neck while I was working so it’s great to have the new forge,” he said.

There was a bit of a hiccup last year when Test Valley Borough Council planning officers recommended refusal for the new forge, but councillors gave the thumbs up and Philip has been working hard on the new building. Philip and a friend did the work on their own, digging out about 300 tons of soil in the process, because the site was on a slope. It has cost him £15,000.

The building, which is fully insulated, is now completed and a specially made chimney should be installed by the end of January so that the business can forge ahead. The forge itself is four times bigger than his old one. It means that he can work longer hours and attract larger scale work. “It means I can branch out and carry out bigger jobs like large entrance gates.”

Philip held a party for all his customers to celebrate.