The torc collective is a group of goldsmiths, silversmiths, jewellers and craftspeople who have been generous in providing advice, comment and help regarding all matters torc. Those I speak with most frequently are listed below, but I would also like to acknowledge and thank the myriad of social media respondees who regularly provide insights into their skilled craft and metalworking activities.
—————————————–
Hamish Bowie is a retired goldsmith, jeweller, writer and lecturer with over sixty years’ experience. Hamish was apprenticed at William Griffith and Son and then trained and lectured at the Birmingham School of Jewellery.
Abigail Brown is a silversmith who trained at Loughborough University School of Art & Design and Edinburgh School of Art. Abigail also teaches silversmithing.
Ann-Marie Carey is Associate Professor in Jewellery at the School of Jewellery, Birmingham City University (BCU). She trained at Central St Martins, the Royal College of Art, the Birmingham School of Jewellery and the University of Liverpool.
Frank Cooper is Associate Head for Industry and Enterprise and a senior lecturer at the Centre for Digital Design and Manufacturing at the Birmingham School of Jewellery.
Bob Davies is a silversmith, jeweller, pattern maker and sword maker with forty years’ experience. He trained at the Birmingham School of Jewellery.
Stephen Fisher is a retired silversmith with over sixty years’ experience who trained and lectured at the School of Jewellery in Birmingham and continues his association through attending silversmithing classes.
Giovanna Fregni is an experienced jeweller and metalsmith with a PhD in archaeological metals. She wrote her thesis on metalsmithing tools in the British Bronze Age.
Ford Hallam was a goldsmith who trained in the Japanese metalworking tradition. He also taught and restored and replicated ancient Japanese metalwork artefacts. Sadly, Ford died in 2024, but his work with us lives on. My personal tribute to Ford can be found HERE.
Jackie Harold is a silversmith who trained at the Birmingham School of Jewellery. She made a replica of one of the Leekfrith Iron Age torcs.
Michael Lloyd is a silversmith who specialises in chasing. Michael trained at the Birmingham School of Jewellery and has used refined Scottish gold in his work.
Tess Machling is an archaeologist and archaeological researcher who has worked as a field archaeologist, prehistoric pottery specialist and for several years ran a research project looking at 17th century fortifications in the Caribbean.
Sally Pointer is a heritage educator who trained in archaeology, ran an education gallery for the National Museum of Wales and Sally runs her own business making replicas and costume for museums, re-enactment and the media.
Gareth Risborough was an experienced re-enactor and living history specialist. He was a metalworker and has made items for Stonehenge and for other museums worldwide. Sadly, Gareth died in 2021, but his knowledge lives on.
Kurt Rönnkvist is an archaeologist and gold and silversmith who specializes in experimental archaeology and replications. He is also a bronze caster.
Roland Williamson is a museum replica maker and re-enactor of many years’ experience. He has made commissions for many national and regional museums.
The Big Book of Torcs 