A BLACKSMITH shop in the North-East, thought to date from the 18th century, is to be brought back to its former glory.

The Hetton Smithy, is one of the oldest buildings in Hetton-le-Hole and has been in continuous use as a blacksmiths throughout its existence.

It harks back to a time when Hetton was a tranquil agricultural settlement and before the idea that coal could be found beneath the ground.

Peter Collins, chairman of the Hetton Local History Society, said: “We have very few buildings surviving from the time before Hetton became a mining community.

“So it is good to know that one which would once have been at the heart of the old agricultural village is now going to be restored for posterity.” Owner John Guy has worked at the smithy all his life and the restoration will allow for demonstrations and masterclasses of blacksmithing to take place in the future.

The single storey, one-roomed smithy will be restored by the Limestone Landscapes Partnership and funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Durham County Council, who host the partnership, has appointed Beaumont Brown Architects and Classic Masonry to restore the building.

David Beaumont, conservation architect for the project, said: “The smithy is a fantastic historical building and its present condition reflects the years of service it has provided to the community.

“We hope to provide a light touch to its conservation and restoration and give this important local and wider heritage building, a new lease of life.”

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