Middlewich couple keep historical tradition alive in Bostock
Image Tatton Estate
22 April 2015
English Heritage listed building Bostock Smithy has now been taken over by a Middlewich couple looking to continue a long-standing tradition in Bostock Green.
Bostock Smithy was first built in the village in 1798 and has been a working foundry ever since, becoming a grade two listed building in 1986.
More than 200 years on from when it was initially built, Middlewich couple Lee and Becki have taken up residence at the Smithy and will keep the tradition alive. Lee and Becki were looking to grow their company, Big Engineering Ltd, and snapped up the opportunity to relocate when the Smithy became available, delighted to have found the ideal spot exactly between their prime markets of Middlewich and Northwich.
Becki said: “The premises were perfect for us, much larger than our previous building, and the Tatton Estate made us feel very welcome including featuring us in their village newsletter. Most of our clients are local and we also live in Middlewich so it’s very convenient.”
The management of the company, first established in 1971, was taken over by Lee in 2007. He originally learnt his trade as an informal apprentice – having left school at 16 on the Friday and starting work on the following Monday – under the tutorage of his father’s cousin in the local foundry.
Bostock Smithy now has a modern twist with a new purpose built workshop. Alongside the traditional gates and railings, and grid covers, the engineering company also manufactures large-scale projects such as steel fabrication for buildings.
“We can produce almost anything,” Lee said. “Whatever people request, we can usually make for them. We’re looking to take on an apprentice in the future; it’s important to pass on the tricks of the trade to the next generation.”