Public Event Schedule 2012
Latest Update : January 2012 - Dates are tentative
Many of the 2012 activities will similar to past years, the
dates are approximately the same.
For more details on the specific events, use the links provided.
(Note that most of these take you off the Wareham Forge series.)
Detailed Information on this year's courses at the Wareham Forge can be found HERE
2012 Year at a glance ![]()
This table shows all of the year's (potential!) activities and will quickly
let you see everything on the timetable

22nd Annual Symposium
Saturday March 31
Bricker Academic Building, Wilfrid Laurier University
Waterloo Ontario
| Experimental Vikings: Glass and Iron
'An Iron Smelt in Vinland - an experimental investigation' Investigations of the archaeological site at L'Anse aux
Meadows, Newfoundland, indicate local bog iron ore was smelted into workable
metal, at least once, by the Norse some time about 1000 AD. Just why the
first iron smelt in North America was carried out remains open to interpretation.
Starting in 2009, a team from Ontario, Canada, conducted a series of five
experiments, culminating on a full re-creation of the original Norse iron
smelt at L'Anse aux Meadows NHSC in August of 2010. This paper will detail how the archaeological evidence was combined with years of experience with Norse styled furnaces to produce a successful working system. What was learned about the physical process can now shed greater light on not only early iron smelting methods, but what happened in Vinland near the end of the Viking Age. This is a formal paper, delivered in combination with Neil Peterson's 'Glass on Fire: temperatures in reconstructed Norse bead furnaces'. (A test run of my ICMS submission, see below.) |
Effectively mounting a living history presentation in front of the general public is significantly different than gathering with other re-enactors at a closed event. Experience has long proved establishing an overall design to a presentation will significantly improve its value to (and reception by) both institutions and the viewing public. Do individual personas actually reflect historical realities? Is there a general theme or specific topics which should (or should not!) be illustrated? What presentation methods have proved most effective? Illustrations will be drawn from a number of differing time periods / living history presentations |
For more information on the event go to the FITP web site
Introduction to Blacksmithing
at the WAREHAM FORGE
April 4, 5, 6

47th Annual Symposium
May 10 - 13
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan
| Experimental Vikings: Glass and Iron
'An Iron Smelt in Vinland - an experimental investigation' Investigations of the archaeological site at L'Anse aux
Meadows, Newfoundland, indicate local bog iron ore was smelted into workable
metal, at least once, by the Norse some time about 1000 AD. Just why the
first iron smelt in North America was carried out remains open to interpretation.
Starting in 2009, a team from Ontario, Canada, conducted a series of five
experiments, culminating on a full re-creation of the original Norse iron
smelt at L'Anse aux Meadows NHSC in August of 2010. This paper will detail how the archaeological evidence was combined with years of experience with Norse styled furnaces to produce a successful working system. What was learned about the physical process can now shed greater light on not only early iron smelting methods, but what happened in Vinland near the end of the Viking Age. This is the formal delivery of this academic paper, delivered at the session 'Can these Bones Come to Life ' which deals with various discoveries from Experimental Archaeology. The exact time and place of the session has not been scheduled |
For more information on the event go to the ICMS web site
June 1& 2
(Friday evening - Saturday)
Detailed Information on this special course can be found HERE
June 15, 16, 17
the Dark Ages Re-creation Company |
EARTH, AIR, FIRE & WATER : CELTIC ROOTS FESTIVAL
Goderich
the CELTIC COLLEGE
August 6 - 9
I been involved with the Celtic College since its inception. I normally offer a number of hands on courses and sessions as part of this successful program - including the infamous Artist's Extravaganza (evening 'cultural' session with An Droichead):
(Tentative Course Offering - 2012) Ancient Iron : Smelter to Forge
in the Celtic Iron Age This will be a half day session, Monday through Thursday (exact time periods to be determined) Those students interested in pre-booking this course should contact me via e-mail. |
|
The FESTIVAL
August 10 - 12
I have had a booth in the Artisans area since the very first year of the
Festival - making me the only visual artist to have attended every year of
the Festival's 20 year history.
Again this year expect a display of both functional
and artistic pieces with Celtic inspiration - with a special focus on wind
powered pieces for the GARDEN.
In keeping with the special demonstration planned to mark the anniversary, I will be presenting my new work forged from bloomery iron
Bloomery Iron Smelt Note : Approval and details of this program still under consideration.
As in past years, the featured demonstration will echo the courses offered
at the Celtic Colllege. A cornerstone for Festival goers, Darrell's
ongoing demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday afternoon always education
and entertain. |
Join me for look at the work of the Artisan Metalsmith- and how it relates
to the Celtic Iron Age.
| Kelso Beach Park, Owen Sound
August 17 - 19
Look for me at a the new location, still on the Beach - but now along closer
to the Pub. |
September 14, 15, 16
Detailed Information on / registration for this course can be found HERE
October 19, 20, 21
Detailed Information on / registration for this course can be found HERE
Special Course
one of...
Basic Bladesmithing
Intermediate Blacksmithing
Introduction
to Layered Steels
at the WAREHAM FORGE
October 27 & 28
Exact course content determined by reservations!
Detailed Information on these courses can be found HERE
This two day program will introduce the student to casting PEWTER in SOAPSTONE and BRONZE in SAND.
Detailed Information on this course can be found HERE