The Harden Murrumburrah Arts Council hope the town's Court House constructed in 1800, the ancient art of blacksmithing and a life size stature of a Light Horse are the perfect enticement for an increase in tourism to the town.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
With this in mind the Arts Council is hosting a series of blacksmithing workshops at its Court House site on March 14 and 21.
Will Kirkpatrick of Koorawatha, mid way between Cowra and Young, has been enlisted to hold the workshops after attending the Handmade Markets in Harden.
This Saturday's workshop begins at 9.30am running through until 3pm.
It is limited to four but Nicole Scott of the Arts Council says it will run even if only two participants attend.
Cost is $150 per person for a one day workshop with enquiries to Ms Scott on 0427 864 320.
Regulars at the Handmade Markets will be aware of Will and his demonstrations with organisers quick to realise his public appeal securing his attendance as "a point of difference".
"He's just very unique," Ms Scott said.
"We always have trouble getting entertainment at the markets but saw the possibility of him being our entertainment to give us a point of difference, a uniqueness.
"He was happy to come along on a regular basis.
"You can see he is excited about (his craft) when you watch him talking to people."
All that was necessary was for the Arts Council to find a venue worthy of a demonstration space for Will outside of the Handmade Markets, a space they stumbled across when doing a clean up at the Court House site.
"At our Court House we had a shed that we happened to be cleaning out," Ms Scott said.
"When we cleaned it out we realised it is a historic stable with wall to wall stone on the floor, it's stunning. I just saw him in there. It screamed out a blacksmith should be in here doing workshops and demonstrations.
"Given that Harden Murrumburrah is going to have a great big stature down there of a Light Horse, Bill the Bastard, blacksmith demonstrations and workshops lines up perfectly.
"Throw him in a historic stable and it is even better.
"Suddenly you have a major tourism connection for coaches to visit."
The Arts Council has already floated plans with Hilltops Council with Ms Scott briefing Hilltops mayor Brian Ingram and a number of councillors.
"Very exciting, his workshops launch this month with the first on Saturday, March 14," she said.
"Hopefully it gets supported. While this one is very exciting I am trying to get higher level involvement. It's almost just meant to be.
"We're looking at one or two courses a month, but if we get enough interest we may throw more in and if we have coaches visiting rather than just more group workshops we'll have demonstrations for 40 people who get off the coach.
"It just a matter of getting the attention to help us grow it and it depends on (Will's) availability and how many people register and pay the fee.
"We're trialling two Saturdays but we're open to Sunday's as well, we just thought we'd try Saturdays first, especially with markets on a Sunday."
Whether you are a master blacksmith forging a cathedral door or a hobbyist fixing gate hinges, you'll find yourself reaching for the same tools and processes.
In this introductory workshop you will cover the basic techniques that will assist you to start creating your own pieces.
Attendees will start turning square into round stock, isolating and drawing out material, and creating a simple twist.
This workshop is designed for beginners and is restricted to a maximum of four attendees each workshop.
The workshop will provide an opportunity to make a start on a simple project that can be taken home at the end of the day.
