EVENTS

Join us for an exciting gathering at Milton Keynes Museum, a historic venue blending industrial charm with modern facilities — perfect for celebrating blacksmithing and craftsmanship.

About the Venue
Set within historic buildings and authentic workshops, the museum offers an inspiring environment for live demonstrations, skill-sharing, and public showcases. The venue was envisioned by BABA member John Pearson, whose passion for history and craftsmanship makes it an ideal setting for this event.

Event Highlights

Blacksmithing Projects: Collaborate on a legacy ironwork piece, guided by designers Katie Ventress and Kelly Burton, overseen by a team of master blacksmiths.
Historical Ironwork Showcase: Featuring Joe Tyler and Tom Tribe’s ‘Saxon Smiths’ project reconstructing over 350 Anglo-Saxon metal items.

Expert Talks & Demonstrations
Artist blacksmiths David Hyde and Sam Sherborne share their craft and inspiration.
"Blacksmithing and your Body - Essential Tool Maintenance" Tim Puddephatt & Jen Hawley are giving a talk on prehab, rehab and maintenance of your body whilst blacksmithing.

Children’s Forging Activities

Led by The Quinell School of Blacksmithing, introducing the next generation to blacksmithing.  Pre-booked sessions - click here to book.

Special Exhibits

The museum’s collection of historic metalwork and the NHIG conservation display.

Friday, August 21

• Registration: 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM
• Team forging sessions begin, including the Saxon project.
• Evening: Hog roast social with talk by David Hyde.

Saturday, August 22

• AGM 9:00am - 10:00am, with updates from Council and member elections.
• Continued forging projects and demonstrations.
• Evening presentations by Tim Puddephatt, Jen Hawley, and Sam Sherborne.

Sunday, August 23

• Final forging sessions, finishing the panel.
• Children’s forging continues until lunch.
• Afternoon: Auction of donated items to support BABA.

Accommodation

Free camping and parking within the venue; nearby hotels available.

Tailgate Sale

Bring tools and equipment to swap or sell — no booking required.

Forging at the event

Plase let us know via the option on the booking form if you intend to forge at the event.

Stewarding

Stewarding is a fantastic opportunity to help out with an event, network with the event team, invited masters & your fellow smiths. To reflect the level of work we are asking you to help out with we are offering Stewards a reduced ticket price and the event t-shirt for free.

If you are interested in stewarding the event and can help out with the setup, book a stewarding ticket and the Event co-ordinator will be in touch. Please see the stewarding information here. 

Merchandise

Don't forget to order your conference T shirt and BABA insulated mug! Both can be added when you book your tickets and collected at the event.

For more insight into the event, please check out the latest issue of Artist Blacksmith magazine, follow us on social media for updates or reach out to BABA.

Location

Milton Keynes Museum
McConnell Drive,
Wolverton
MK12 5EL
Visit the Museum Website

Friday 21st

• Lunch (served at 12:30)
  Individually boxed buffet: – Sandwiches & wraps with popular fillings, homemade pork & apple sausage rolls, chicken goujons, mini steak pies, cheddar & onion quiche, crisps, cake & fruit - £11.00
• Options available for: Gluten Free, Vegetarian, Vegan, Dairy Free

Dinner

• Hog Roast with a selection of side salads and condiments - £13.00
• Vegetarian: Veggie Burgers with a selection of side salads and condiments - £13.00
• Vegan: Vegan Burgers with a selection of side salads and condiments - £13.00
• Gluten Free: with a selection of side salads and condiments - £13.00 TBC
• Dairy Free: with a selection of side salads and condiments - £13.00 TBC

Saturday 22nd

Breakfast (served at 9:00)

• Filled Croissants, Danish Pastries, Fruit & Yoghurt Pots - £5.95
• Options available for: Gluten Free, Vegetarian, Vegan, Dairy Free

Lunch

• Ploughman’s Buffet – Selection of 3 Cheeses, Roast Ham and Chicken Slices with a Green Salad and Homemade Coleslaw. Accompanied by Mini Pork Pies & Pickles, Boiled Eggs, Mini Sausages and Apple Slices, Freshly Baked Bread Rolls & Butter. - £12.00
• Gluten Free: Ploughman’s Buffet – Roast Ham & Chicken Slices, 3 cheeses, mini pork pies, sausages & scotch egg, boiled egg, pickles & apple slices, Freshly baked bread & butter. - £12.00
• Dairy Free: Ploughman’s Buffet – Roast Ham & Chicken Slices, 3 cheeses, mini pork pies, sausages & scotch egg, boiled egg, pickles & apple slices, Freshly baked bread & butter, - £12.00
• Vegetarian: Ploughman’s Buffet - 3 cheeses, quiche, boiled egg, pickles & apple slices, Freshly baked bread & butter - £12.00
• Vegan: falafel and 5 been salad - £12.00

Dinner

• Steak & Ale Pie & Creamy Mashed Potato with vegetables & gravy - £13.50
• Vegetarian: Thai Green Vegetable Curry & Rice - £13.50
• Vegan: Thai Green Vegetable Curry & Rice - £13.50
• Gluten free: Thai Green Vegetable Curry & Rice - £13.50
• Dairy Free: Thai Green Vegetable Curry & Rice - £13.50

Sunday 23rd

Breakfast

• Hot Breakfast Rolls -  Bacon, Sausage, Egg or Vegan Sausage - £5.50
• Vegan: Hot Breakfast Rolls - Vegan Sausage - £5.50
• Vegetarian: Hot Breakfast Rolls -  Vegan Sausage - £5.50
• Gluten free: Hot Breakfast Rolls - Bacon, Sausage, Egg or Vegan Sausage - £5.50

Lunch

• Italian Chicken Buffet - Marinated Chicken Fillet, Mozzarella & Tomato Salad, Pesto Pasta Salad, Green Leaf Salad, Freshly Baked Assorted Bread Rolls. - £12.00
• Vegetarian: Frittata, Green Leaf Salad, Freshly Baked Assorted Bread Rolls. - £12.00
• Vegan: Pesto Pasta Salad, Green Leaf Salad, Freshly Baked Assorted Bread Rolls. - £12.00
• Gluten free: Mozzarella & Tomato Salad, Pesto Pasta Salad, Green Leaf Salad, Freshly Baked Assorted Bread Rolls. - £12.00
• Dairy Free: Mozzarella & Tomato Salad, Pesto Pasta Salad, Green Leaf Salad, Freshly Baked Assorted Bread Rolls. - £12.00