Episode 7: Hector Cole

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Crafty Conversations

James Humphrey

7 episodes

5 days ago

Over the course of this summer, I took a sabbatical from teaching and cycled over 2,200 kilometres from one end of the country to the other, meeting nearly twenty craftspeople along the way. From silver spinners and wheelwrights to kilt makers and basket weavers, I learnt the stories behind their endangered skills and what it takes to keep these crafts alive today.

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Design

Arts

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Episode 7: Hector Cole

Crafty Conversations

1 hour 3 minutes 26 seconds

3 weeks ago

Episode 7: Hector Cole

Episode 7: Hector Cole MBE — The Arrow-Maker

In this episode, I talk to blacksmith and historical metals specialist Hector Cole MBE about the ancient craft of making arrowheads. Working from his forge near Malmesbury, Hector combines practical skill with the curiosity of an archaeologist — recreating Saxon and medieval designs using traditional tools, fuels, and techniques. His work reveals how early smiths experimented with materials, layering soft and hard metals to create strength, flexibility, and a lasting edge.

I also reflect on the morning of Day Six of my ride: setting off freshly rested from my parents’ home in Wiltshire, climbing the gentler hills towards Malmesbury, and spending time in Hector’s workshop watching those centuries-old skills brought vividly back to life.

Links

See the visual journey on Instagram: @crafty_cyclist

Find out more about Hector Cole MBE and his work through the Heritage Crafts Directory

Discover more about endangered crafts at Heritage Crafts — and, if you’d like to support their work, you can donate via my JustGiving page