No village history would be complete without some account of its’ Blacksmith’s shop. The Forge House was built in 1813 and was then known as Butlers Point. It was built and inhabited by the Wadlow family until the year 1870. The name may be seen on grave stones in the Churchyard. The next owner was Mr. John Oliver who became the village Blacksmith and the wheelwright’s shop at the back of the house was erected. In 1879 the premises were sold to Mr George Scudder who remained there as village Blacksmith until 1898. Throughout that period Mr Frederick Fletcher, father of Mr Frank Fletcher, worked on the premises as village carpenter and undertaker, and the children of the village considered it a great thrill to stand at the open door of the shop and watch Mr Fletcher making coffins. The Fletcher family were then living at Butlers Point Cottage (one of the Forge cottages). After Mr Scudder’s death it was bought by Mr Everett, who himself was a carpenter, and employed a blacksmith. The next owner was Mr Braybrook, a builder, who in partnership with a Mr Robson of Hartley, built several houses in Hartley. The Forge was still a busy place because horses were still being used on the farms. Mr Braybrook eventually sold the premises to Mr George Day who also bought the Forge Cottages and Mr George

Orpin became his tenant carrying on the building and undertaking businesses and employing a blacksmith. But as horses gradually disappeared from the farms there was little work for a Blacksmith and wheelwright and during the 1939-1945 war the Blacksmith’s shop as such ceased to function. The building and undertaking businesses continued. After the war, when Mr Orpin’s son came out of the Army, he went into partnership with his father and the building business was developed and the undertaking gradually discontinued. After the death of Mr George Day in 1942 the premises went to his son Mr Ralph E. Day who eventually sold out to Mr George Orpin, who is the present owner.

Butlers Point