The Brief

Doverhay Forge Studios received the enquiry in August 2002. This informed of the Dean and Chapter of St Paul's resolve, in consultation with the Churchill family, to commission a screen and set of gates to be positioned within the crypt of the Cathedral, as a permanent memorial to Sir Winston Churchill.

The project brief outlined that the memorial was to be a commemoration of the connection between Sir Winston and the Cathedral, to provide a direct visual and symbolic link between the commemoration of the Duke of Wellington, Admiral Lord Nelson and Sir Winston, and to divide the commemorative area of the crypt from the area used for welcoming visitors. The completed work would be a celebration in metals of the artist-blacksmith's art.

The Job

James Horrobin's first proposal was submitted by 30 October 2002. It comprised of sketches, drawings, watercolor rendered design elevations, ideas on realizing the designs, methods for articulating the screen and plans for a ground memorial ledger.

Revisions followed, and the definitive design and proposal were presented in September 2003. Making began following the order confirmation, November 2003.

Detail of jig for gate frame	Grinding ribs	Complete main frames of side gate	Centre Screen upright

The screen is manufactured using both ancient and modern methods - from hot forging to the use of CAD - and is made of mild steel, with patinated bronze details. Face plates, bronze stars, buttons and flags - all together approximately 1200 small components - were applied after the finishing process of shotblasting and lacquering of the screen frames was complete.

The Team in May - celebrating the completion of the first gate frame	Detail of ribs	Matt and Jim forging vertical face plates	The boss resting

Centre acreen and north gate in August	Marking out heraldic roundels for drilling	Heraldric roundels on the Centre Screen	Churchill Lion design

Photos: Gabrielle Ridler, John Hesp


Heraldic roundels for both sides of the double centre screen depicting images from the life of Sir Winston were cast in bronze by Devon Metalcraft of Exmouth. These are: Date of Birth 1874; the Churchill Lion; the Breast Badge of the Knights of the Garter (1953); the Order of Merit (1946); the Shield of Cinque Ports (First Lord of the Admiralty 1911-15, and 1939-40; the Date of Churchill's state funeral at St Paul's Cathedral: 1965.

The Ground Memorial Plaque has been manufactured by Pankhurst Tool & Die Co. in Devon by the method of wire erosion, is made of naval brass with bronze patination and insertions of specially designed stainless steel lettering. Photo: Gabrielle Ridler

The Team

This has been the most interesting project Doverhay Forge Studios have undertaken both in terms of collaboration with others, and researching new techniques. With the help of a highly skilled team manufacture of the work is now completed; the gates are installed at St Paul's Cathedral and await dedication on 30th November.

All team members are local craftspeople, many are friends. Charlie Hickman who helped set up the workshop and did a lot of the forge work; Alec Gannon who was in charge of installation. Gabrielle Ridler researched Churchill's life, designed the heraldic insignia roundels, did the presentation drawings. Jim's son Matt relocated from Seattle with his young family, patinated and fitted all bronze components. John Hesp, our project manager, and his brother Dominic have worked with us on many projects in the past. Their inventiveness and skill have been invaluable. Betsy, an American, has been here in training, to observe and learn. The artist Julian Fraser whose pencil captured much of the action, Charles Braby, Dot Kuzniar, Ged Kennett, Gerald Gilbert, Mike Witney, Ben Horrobin, Brian Hobbs, Trevor and Steve at Devon Metalcrafts, Luffman Engineering, and David Pankhurst for his work on the Memorial Plaque, have helped create this work. All are very proud to have worked on the project.

Gabrielle Ridler, Doverhay Forge Studios, 19 November 2004

The Winston Churchill Memorial Screen

Installed in the Crypt at St Paul's Cathedral 16/17 November 2004

Photography: Gabrielle Ridler