In the week that St Andrew’s Study Centre was officially opened, we can share an update on one of the original decorative iron screens or altar rails from St Andrew’s Church which was removed before the building work began and now has a new home.

The screen originally made by local 4th generation Blacksmith James Holloway when he was living at The Forge in Bradfield, was taken by a descendent of his family Alan Holloway back in the Spring of 2022. It has since found its way to the National Trust Buscot and Coleshill Estate where it is being used in the forge there at Coleshill. It is part of a display for pupils who attend courses there, according to Gary Mothersill, Assistant Business Services Coordinator for the National Trust.

Traditional blacksmith located near Bradfield, David Gregory of Cobalt Blacksmiths in Nettlebed, Oxfordshire helped to facilitate this final place for the screen, where it could be used in the training of new pupils learning skills at the National Trust workshops near Swindon. With thanks to him for sharing his personal connection to Coleshill.

It is great to hear that the screen which was redundant in the new plans for the Church as a Study Centre is making an important contribution to education once again in a new setting.

Alan Holloway with the screen in situ in their original location in St Andrew's Church. Alan said "this rail and other Altar rails and candle stick holders were made in 1848/9 for St Andrew's Church in Bradfield, Berkshire when the 480 year old building was enlarged. The family blacksmiths forge was situated close to the church and made all the new decorative iron work for the Church."