About — Forge Coffee: London Coffee, Country Values

Our Forge Coffee Story

CULWORTH 2018

The inspiration behind the name of Forge Coffee comes from the history of the Culworth site. The presence of a forge there dates back to at least 1780. From the 1970’s the building was part of an agricultural engineering and blacksmithing business co-owned by Martin Rowling, before dovetailing into a showroom for wrought ironwork and then stoves.

While some blacksmithing was done on the site which Forge Coffee now operates from, the original forge is located in the next door building, adjacent to the village green. This is where Martin worked from after buying the forge and the adjoining cottage in 1969 and where he continues to live today.

On 6th August 2018 Rupert (Martin’s son) opened Forge Coffee on the site - and of course our logo had to be an anvil, one of the principle tools of a blacksmith, along with a hammer and tongs.

EVENLEY 2019

Our Evenley site was welcomed into the Forge Coffee family a year later in 2019. The building was a village hall long before the outbreak of WWII, then a social club and eventually a convenience store and Post Office which we took over and saved, to preserve as an important community asset that was threatened with closure.

WHITTLEBURY PARK 2024

We are excited to have opened in the Paddocks at Whittlebury Park in Whittlebury in June 2024, growing the Forge Coffee family further!

We’re proud to run as an indepedent coffee shop and that we are considered a focal point in the local communities.

Meet the Forge Team

Rupert Rowling

FOUNDER
After moving to London for work, Rupert saw the growth of the coffee scene in London and was keen to bring that back to his native Northamptonshire. So when his Dad’s old premises became available this presented the ideal opportunity to do just that. Thankfully it’s proven a hit so far and we’re delighted to be adding a third site in the county in 2024.
Rupert’s go-to coffee use to be a flat white but in recent years he’s switched to black coffee to try and give the air he knows what he’s talking about. And as for his latte art, he’s uniquely hopeless at all coffee-related tasks, hence why you’ll seldom see him behind the counter at any of the sites!
Jade Bird

OPERATIONS MANAGER
Jade loves coffee and has over 10 years experience in the specialty coffee field. She has overseen the opening of all our Forge Coffee sites and looks forward to more to come!
She continually pursues knowledge and innovation when it comes to great coffee - and as a barista serves a great cup.
Her go-to is a long black and her best latte art is a rosetta.
Rose Callaghan

MANAGER - EVENLEY
Rose opened Evenley’s site in 2019 and has been pouring coffee there ever since. She is proud of the inclusive community space Forge Coffee Evenley has been able to achieve since opening, all thanks to a well made cup of coffee.
Rose’s go to coffee is an oat milk flat white and her best latte art is a fern.
Sarah Hicks

HEAD CHEF
Sarah is a classically trained chef with an impressive 38 years of experience. Her culinary journey has taken her from working at the iconic Royal Albert Hall to running her own successful catering business.
Passionate about food, Sarah has a particular love for local and seasonal ingredients. She even grows her own fruits and vegetables and creates the delicious chutneys and jams featured on the Forge Coffee menu.
When it’s time for a coffee break, Sarah’s drink of choice is a decaf oat latte.
Laura Timmers

BARISTA + POST OFFICE CLERK
London-born Laura relocated to Northamptonshire during the lockdown and has been serving up Forge Coffee coffee ever since. With over 20 years of experience in customer service (from HMV to the Tower of London) Laura loves making Evenley a warm, happy and inclusive space for everyone.
Laura loves talking all things cinema, music and politics or sharing her latest favourite read.
When it comes to coffee, Laura’s summer go-to is a classic long black, while in the colder months, she switches to an almond milk cortado. Her favourite latte art pattern to do is a heart.
Georgie Milligan

BARISTA + POST OFFICE CLERK
After being a loyal customer at Forge Coffee Evenley for a few years, Georgie’s love for the coffee and atmosphere inspired her to join the Forge Coffee family.
Outside of work, Georgie channels her creativity into crafting healthier alternative bakes. She loves experimenting with nutritious ingredients to reimagine classic treats, proving that indulgence and wellness can go hand in hand.
Her go-to drink is a long black, though she enjoys a flat white during the colder months. Her signature latte art? A perfectly poured heart.
Freya Bignold

BARISTA
Freya has a deep love for Forge Coffee, so much so that she spends much of her time there—even on her days off! It’s more than just the coffee; Forge feels like her second home.
When she’s not crafting the perfect cup or studying philosophy at university, Freya enjoys reading, walking, and embracing her creative side, especially through sewing.
Her go-to drink is a flat white, and her favourite latte art design to create is a rosetta!
Harmon

BARISTA
Harmon grew up in Culworth and has been there for 22 years.
As someone who is autistic, trans and disabled, he truly appreciates how inclusive and warm the Forge Coffee family is. He also loves that as a someone who has lived locally for so long he’s able to contribute to the community.
He enjoys the nerdy side of coffee and usually drinks filter coffee or a long black.
His favourite latte art design is a rosetta.
Sophie Harris

BARISTA
Local to the area, Sophie’s been visiting Forge Coffee Culworth since it opened in 2018 and always wanted to be part of the team.
A recent graduate, she’s now swapped essays for lattes and loves the friendly, inclusive environment.
With 3 years café experience, she enjoys Forge Coffee’s rustic charm and often chats with regulars during quieter moments - and especially loves meeting all your furry friends!
Her go-to drink is an oat flat white, and her favourite latte art is a fern.
Rosie Gulbis

BARISTA
Rosie has 7 years experience in coffee and never stops learning. Being a part of the Forge Coffee family is giving her an opportunity to grow her knowledge in specialty coffee and be part of a great team.
She also has over a decade of illustration and artistic work. She is inspired by nature and what is around her. Sharing and communicating through pictures is what she does best.
Rosie's go to coffee is a classic latte and her best artwork is a tulip.