NAFBAE
The oldest trade organisation for farriers in the UK. Membership offers many benefits, but unfortunately politically it is a very timid and reactionary body dominated by liverymen of the Worshipful Company of Farriers and their cronies. It does not have democratic, one member one vote elections, instead officers are elected by branch delegates at the AGM. It was claimed in Parliament (12th March 1975, M Mates MP) that NAFBAE was operating as a legitimate trade union affiliated to the Trades Union Congress but I do not believe that this was the case at the time or at any time before or since. In a survey by The Farriers Trading Post in 2000, of 197 replies, 66% of farriers felt that there was a need for a new independent organisation to lobby on their behalf.
Election controversy at the AGM: on October 7th 2000 there were allegations of malpractice as Gary Burton was allowed to stand for FRC representative some time after the deadline for nominations had elapsed. In another break with the rules Army farrier Neil Madden was allowed to stand for the executive despite not being eligible, and although he did not get elected he split the vote. It appears that the rules were bent in an attempt to keep out Peter Baker, John Ford and James Todd, all of whom frighten the establishment by being willing and able to stand up for the members.
Link to NAFBAE website
National Organiser: Amanda Hill
Postal address: The Forge, Avenue 'B', 10th Street, N.A.C., Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG
Tel: 02476 696595 Fax: 02476 696708
e-mail: nafbaehq@nafbae.org
Official Magazine: Forge Magazine, editor Gill Harris - http://www.forgemagazine.co.uk/
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