This week I was invited to the Heritage Craft Awards at the House of Lords in London. This was an event postponed from late last year and awards from 2020 and 2021 were awarded to some truly inspiring craftspeople. I was fortunate enough to chat to many of these talented individuals who I had seen from afar but never had the chance to meet face to face. The variety of skills represented was absolutely fascinating - from glass engraving to boat building, papermaking to shoe making, wheelwrighting to pottery and ceramics plus a whole lot more. You can find out more using the link below.
heritagecrafts.org.uk/ I am a really great believer in the Heritage Craft Association. Their work promoting the value and importance of keeping these skills alive cannot be underestimated. Quite recently they have undergone a process of setting up regional groups to promote their work to a more "local audience ". I would encourage anyone with an interest in traditional skills to look at joining the organisation. You don't have to be a maker. This will help ensure the work of the association continues into the future and the next generation of makers will have the opportunity to benefit from their support. Another organisation I have become involved with more recently is the National Coppice Federation. This is a fairly long established organisation which promotes coppice work and other traditional country skills such as hedge laying. These two skills are linked very closely by their nature. The aim of the federation is to "professionalise" the coppice industry in an effort to make coppice work and coppice woodlands sustainable for the future. NCFed works with many of the larger forestry and woodland charities and organisations but, because of the way coppice woodlands have been worked historically and today, coppice workers often work alone or in small cooperatives. The NCFed are working to give us a more collective voice going forward. Take a look at the link below to find out more. I will be setting up a local coppice group near our woodland in the Spring 2022 to try and develop the work of the NCFed locally. ncfed.org.uk/ These two organisations are very different in their set up and styles but are both run by a committed set of people who work so hard without personal gain to keep our traditional skills relevant in today's increasingly hectic world. I hope in some small way I am helping with that process. The contrast between London, my workshop and the coppice was stark this week, even harsh at times. I rarely venture into cities these days and found the noise and pace of London quite a fascination but its not something I would welcome every day! Give me the sounds of the birds, the running of the stream or even the rhythm and subtle hiss of the shavings coming from the gouges on the pole lathe any day. It is rewarding to step outside your comfort zone sometimes to appreciate what you enjoy at home and work.
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mIKE TAYLORGreen woodworker & woodland craftsman. Archives
March 2022
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