A HISTORIC item is being returned to a village after more than half a century.
After more than 50 years, the blacksmith’s bellows from the old forge, now Ziel Designs, is being returned to Earls Colne and the custody of the heritage museum.
The medieval bellows were a device made from wood and leather and was used to push air into the fire to allow the furnace to reach a high enough temperature to make iron melt
It is now heading back into the hands of the village courtesy of Sally Card, neé Goodridge.
It was her parents who first renovated the old forge into a gift shop in 1972 after the forge was unoccupied for about 20 years.
The bellows are believed to be at least 150 years old and will initially be displayed in the village hall.
The return of the forge blacksmith bellows is happening Wednesday, October 12, with all the village welcome.
Refreshments will be available.
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