Hunt for Britain's Master Craftspeople
While the rest of the country were hunting for Easter eggs last weekend another search was launched for Britain's disappearing craftspeople. The recently formed Heritage Crafts Association has put out a call for all those woodturners, weavers and wheelwrights to join together and fight for this threatened part of our heritage. Its founders would like the public to search out and tell them about people practising rare and endangered crafts. They are afraid that the centuries of knowledge that helped create the crafts for which Britain was once renowned are in danger of disappearing forever.
The Heritage Crafts Association (HCA) has been formed to preserve the traditional skills that have been passed on through generations. Some of these craftspeople, like sievemaker Mike Turnock, are the last surviving practitioners of trades that take years to learn and perfect.
'Sieves like Mike's products may be mass produced in plastic or metal for sale in kitchen and garden shops,' says HCA Chair and co-founder Robin Wood, ‘but they're generally poor imitations of an original that was woven by hand into a steam-bent wooden frame that will last a lifetime and be a joy to use. If the knowledge behind those techniques is allowed to die with Mike I think we'll lose something quintessential about what it is to be British.'
Robin wants everyone who practises or cares about traditional crafts to join the Association so they can present a united front to fight for the survival of these skills. ‘There must be dozens of people out there, working in isolated workshops in villages and cities, knowing they're the last of the line,' he says. ‘But they needn't be the last and it'd be a disaster if they were.'
Robin and his colleagues argue that the current economic downturn is a perfect time to nurture traditional skills which form a vital part of Britain's heritage. Many of those artisans who do survive have thriving businesses and products that are valued at home and abroad. For example, Robin, who makes hand-turned wooden bowls, has a healthy trade with America, as well as providing the genuine article for living history exhibitions and domestic dinner tables.
The HCA will be campaigning for greater support so the current masters can pass on their knowledge. It wants more help to create the conditions necessary to maintain Britain's reputation for a ‘living heritage' that is practised in the midst of our communities. ‘We have English Heritage to look after our old buildings and Natural England to care for the landscape,' says Robin. ‘Who will nurture the skills and occupations that are our living heritage and could form the bedrock of a resurgence of a creative and profitable cottage industry?'
The HCA has launched a website at www.heritagecrafts.org.uk for anyone wanting to pledge their support for traditional crafts and as a showcase for these crafts. They're encouraging anyone who cares about
or practises traditional crafts to join the campaign for the benefit of their own industry - and the country's cultural heritage.
For further information please contact:
Robin Wood (HCA Chair)
www.heritagecrafts.org.uk
www.facebook.com/pages/Heritage-Crafts-Association/76521534812?ref=mf
greenwood-carving.blogspot.com/
A timely Postscript
Closure of the Textile Conservation Centre
Editors note: As we went to press we received this from Robin
The Textile Conservation Centre was founded in 1975 by Karen Finch OBE and was based at Hampton Court Palace for nearly 25 years. It is of international importance having trained over half of the textile conservators working in the world today.
In 1998, the Centre merged with the University of Southampton, one of the UK's top research-led universities, and in 1999 relocated to a purpose-designed building on the University's campus in Winchester. Now, less than ten years later, it is set to close.
Speaking on behalf of the Foundation, Peter Longman, Deputy Chairman, said ‘this closure will have serious implications for the conservation and museum sector in terms of career-entry education, CPD and research.' The TCC Foundation will continue to make every effort to ensure that the TCC's work, accumulated knowledge and expertise will not be completely lost as a result of the University of Southampton's closure decision.
Time will be made to celebrate the huge achievements of the Centre, and that end the TCC is organising two open days (18 and 19 June 2009) for supporters, former clients, graduates and the Centre's friends to see the work of the current staff and students for one final time before closure. A major reception will also be held in London for those who have funded and supported the TCC over the past 34 years.
For more information about the closure or about the TCC's June Open days please contact Nell Hoare, Director of the TCC, at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
19 Apr 09
