From 7th to 25th June, one of the oldest family of jewellers in the UK, is celebrating British Silver Week right here in Tunbridge Wells.
Payne & Son have been in operation since 1790 and opened their shop in Tunbridge Wells in 1870. You can find the shop along the old High Street, with its distinctive clock hanging overhead. It is still a very traditional establishment in that you have to be buzzed into the premises, but once inside its like an Aladdin's cave. Payne's not only sell jewellery but ceramics, gift ware and many other things besides. Please take a look at their website link. You can also find them on Blogger too.
I went along last Thursday, 9th June, to have a look at the exhibitors and also to see one of the silversmith's from the exhibition, Steve Wager, show us how he produces a silver spoon by hand. The staff at Payne & Son plied us with glasses of champagne and talked us through all the products with their friendly and knowledgeable manner.
It was fascinating watching a real craftsman and Steve talked us through the whole process. I didn't realise how much skill was involved making even something simple as a spoon. The final product emerged from a 1 ounce silver ingot after around half an hour of careful hammering. There was lots of heating and even sulphuric acid used to keep the silver clean. Steve told me that it usually takes around 45 minutes to produce a spoon. Amazing.
If you are visiting, do call in, and fill out a form, as until the 25th June, you can enter Payne & Son's competition to win the silver spoon Steve produced. And while you are there don't forget to have a look around - there is a great display of clocks upstairs, including the very unusual Grasshopper Clock.
Payne & Son have been in operation since 1790 and opened their shop in Tunbridge Wells in 1870. You can find the shop along the old High Street, with its distinctive clock hanging overhead. It is still a very traditional establishment in that you have to be buzzed into the premises, but once inside its like an Aladdin's cave. Payne's not only sell jewellery but ceramics, gift ware and many other things besides. Please take a look at their website link. You can also find them on Blogger too.
I went along last Thursday, 9th June, to have a look at the exhibitors and also to see one of the silversmith's from the exhibition, Steve Wager, show us how he produces a silver spoon by hand. The staff at Payne & Son plied us with glasses of champagne and talked us through all the products with their friendly and knowledgeable manner.
It was fascinating watching a real craftsman and Steve talked us through the whole process. I didn't realise how much skill was involved making even something simple as a spoon. The final product emerged from a 1 ounce silver ingot after around half an hour of careful hammering. There was lots of heating and even sulphuric acid used to keep the silver clean. Steve told me that it usually takes around 45 minutes to produce a spoon. Amazing.
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| Steve Wager at work |
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| Grasshopper Clock |
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