Melissa Cole and her father Hector Cole MBE have become the inaugural father-daughter pair to receive medals from the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths across its remarkable 700-year existence.
The pair collectively bring a century of expertise to their trade, with Melissa having crafted numerous prominent works throughout Oxford. Among her contributions are two ornate screening panels inspired by neural structures, installed at Cherwell College student accommodation. She also produced the Driftway Imprint sculpture in bronze and steel at The Slade, along with the Paradise Street signage within the city.
Her portfolio additionally features the River Route installation, a wall-mounted piece depicting the River Cherwell. Stretching 24 metres in length, this work encircles the exterior of the gatehouse building on Chapel Street.
Melissa will be presented with a silver medal, while Hector was awarded a gold medal in 2024 – marking only the seventh such honour bestowed throughout the organisation’s extensive history.
Hailing from Wiltshire, Melissa described the recognition as deeply meaningful. She expressed that being evaluated by respected figures within the industry proved tremendously gratifying. She also voiced her delight for her father, noting how he had instructed her in classical methods and continues to visit his workshop daily. She considered it particularly special to experience this milestone alongside him.
The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths operates as a charitable body committed to preserving the traditional metalworking craft. This City of London Livery guild traces its origins to 1299 and secured a Royal Charter in 1571.
With three decades of experience creating contemporary ironwork at her forge in Pewsey Vale, Wiltshire, Melissa explained that various criteria must be satisfied for different medal categories. These requirements span designing diverse projects, ensuring public accessibility to installations, and contributing to the wider craft community.
One of her most significant achievements involved a commission from the company to create a present for Queen Elizabeth II during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations. She chose to fashion an elegant bird bath, which now occupies the Volerie garden at Hampton Court Palace.
Hector began his metalworking journey at seven years old and has since established an international reputation for producing superior quality historical arrowheads and swords. Melissa regards her father as a towering figure within the profession.
The modern metal artist and sculptor expressed her appreciation for both her father and all those who commissioned her work. She acknowledged that without clients placing confidence in her abilities to fulfil their requirements and purchase her sculptures, achieving such recognition would have been impossible, emphasising that traditional crafts depend entirely upon public support.