OM TOBY SMITH WINS THE FRANK DAY PERPETUAL TROPHY ONCE AGAIN – THE ONLY PERSON TO WIN IT TWICE SINCE ITS INCEPTION

After winning the Frank Day Trophy in 2023 with his chess set which was also selected for the Millfield 90th Anniversary Art Exhibition, Toby decided he’d enter this competition one more time before finishing college in June 2025. Candidates needed to have 3 years or less experience to qualify. 

At the start of his second year of Level 3 at The National School of Blacksmithing in Hereford, his tutor set the last college assignment as “a panel of your own design” with specific size parameters so Toby set about designing something really intricate to demonstrate as many hand forged techniques as possible whilst creating something of great beauty. He spent around 14 weeks making the stunning gate (pictured below) which helped him to secure a double distinction star for his final grade, one of only two students to be awarded this. He also won the best practical student and best welder prizes.

Toby ensured his gate showed off multiple types of hand forged scrolls, welds, collars, and comes complete with a fully working handle. The gate was finished in Land Rover Green paint instead of the usual black or silver. It had already won prizes at the Edenbridge & Oxted Show in August at its first outing and scooped up the Frank Day Trophy plus a private commission at The Dorset Show in September 2025.

When asked about the challenges he’s faced during his blacksmithing course, Toby said, “Written work has always been tricky for me. Besides having lots of practical work on my blacksmithing course, there were always written elements. The majority of my peers never got their assignments in on time but the discipline I gained from my school years at Millfield instilled in me that deadlines had to be met, so this made me really push myself at college and amazingly I managed to get every task finished by the due date. I’d even start on the exercise as soon as it was set so I wouldn’t be panicking at the last minute. Most students aren’t fortunate enough to experience learning this type of skill so a big thank you to Millfield for reinforcing this talent.”

Over the last 2 years, Toby’s gone on to win multiple county show competitions and championships coupled with several private commissions to date.

He recently designed and produced a stunning bespoke door grate (pictured below) complete with a hand made riding whip, and he’s currently working on a bespoke hand made fire guard with a family crest emblem on it in brass.

Reflecting on his recent achievements and future ambitions, Toby shared, “At the Annual Awards Luncheon on 23rd October this year, I was invested into the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths as an Apprentice and after submitting my portfolio earlier in January, I was also awarded a Journeyman’s Certificate. After completing my Apprenticeship under my Master with the WCB, I hope to become a Freeman of the City of London in 2029 and then plan to continue my progression until I become a Liveryman of the City of London.”

Toby will be moving into his brand new forge in Hemel Hempstead in January 2026 and his ambition outweighs his years. As the founder of Swallow Forge, he’s already been contacted by a couple of high end architects purely through recommendation who’ve been following his progress as they can see how he can turn his hand to anything.

He’s currently in the throws of producing cleverly thought-out, hand forged pieces for his new collection which are off-the-peg, practical and affordable items, but he’s always open to creating any variant if a client so wishes however small or large.

In closing, Toby shared a heartfelt aspiration: “One of my absolute dreams would be to receive a commission to produce a piece of artistic metalwork for everyone to admire in the grounds of the main Millfield School campus."