end of the line for historic boatbuilding in Faversham?

This is Standard Quay in Faversham

It remains a working quay and home to historic craft particularly Thames sailing barges. The fabric of main wetherboarded building is listed for it's historic value, the grazing marsh around is protected as a RAMSAR site but the crafts and trades which have centuries of unbroken history are not recognised in the same way as being part of the heritage of the area so they have to compete in hard financial terms. The owners of the buildings are likely to make more money if they could evict the craftsmen and convert the buildings to luxury homes. That looks likely to happen in 2011 and the council appear to be supporting development.

Last of the summer wine

 This is Little Langdale in the lake district.

 Last weekend I spent a bit of time there with my dad, uncle and cousin.

What is the best knife for woodcarving and whittling?

Woodcarving is so much easier if you have the right tools for the job and thankfully in this case the right tools need not cost a fortune.

• So what makes a good woodcarving knife and what should you look for when buying one?
•  It should be made of a good quality steel, reasonably hard and take a good edge, most knives on the market you can take this one as read. 
•  It should  be quite narrow from top to bottom in order to allow cuts in concave areas, anything over 15mm gets in the way, this is where most general purpose knives fail to make good carvers.
•  It should not have any sort of hilt or blade guard, these get in the way and are not needed for carving. They are only needed to stop the hand sliding onto the blade if using a stabbing type cut which we never do in woodcarving.
•  A relatively long thin blade without too much "belly" works much better for most cuts, the belly is that rounded bit of the edge toward the point on the general purpose knife pictured below, great for skinning bad for woodcarving. 
•  Beginners tend to favour short blades feeling they are safer but this does limit the cuts you can do, particularly long effective slicing cuts to create large flat planes are easier with a longer blade.
•  The woodcarving knife should have what is called a "scandi" grind, that is the edge should be effectively a triangle coming down to a perfect point. Many general purpose knives have what is called a secondary bevel and this is not so good for controlled woodcarving. This is a general purpose "mora" knife and the secondary bevel which forms the edge is seen as a line of light.

Crafts are valuable parts of our our Heritage

Meet John Penrose MP for Weston-super-Mare and minister for Heritage and Tourism.

Following our meeting last week John Penrose has sent us the following message of support.

“ The Heritage Crafts Association has brought together a fine range of different living crafts which are valuable parts of our heritage. The Association’s commitment to supporting small businesses all over the country producing useful, functional and decorative objects in traditional ways is truly impressive. I hope the increased public interest in these hands-on crafts will lead to many more people exploring and deploying these skills so that they are not lost to future generations. The fact that the BBC has given 12 hours of prime time tv to “The Edwardian Farm” is a measure of the public’s enthusiasm. “ 

special Christmas present?

Do you know anyone that sews or does embroidery and apreciates lovely handmade things?
Then how about these for a gorgeous Christmas present.

Hand made in Sheffield gold plated and they work perfectly. They come in a leather sheath and presentation box delivered to your door for just £20 which I think is a bit of a bargain but then you are buying them direct from the makers. Ernest Wright of Sheffield.

more craft videos

This time signwriting canal boat style

Ai Weiwei sunflower seeds and amazing pottery skills

Some videos today, first potters in Pakistan. The skill, dexterity and effortless speed of production is impressive. At 7.40 he throws a pot in 5 seconds, that is mind boggling.

Kevin McCloud loves Craftsmanship

Kevin McCloud is well known as the TV presenter of the "Grand Designs" program which makes him very influential in forming popular opinion. It was great to hear then that he was going to speak on "value and craftsmanship" urging people to " rediscover the unfashionable value of craftsmanship – it is the only way we will match creativity and excellent design with sustainable materials."


You can listen to the talk here
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b00vhxw5
Drag the slider to 5 mins if you want to skip the intro.

UNESCO world heritage list recognises Peruvian scissor dancers but not Sheffield scissor makers

This week UK news is reporting the UNESCO world heritage list. Radio 4 Today program this morning and
Telegraph 1
Telegraph 2
Surprisingly non of these pointed out that there are no UK examples of living heritage on the list. This one is better.
Guardian
One humorous one from Scotland
Herald
The world heritage list recognises important parts of our cultural heritage that are at risk. The world heritage sites such as Stonehenge are well known, but there is increasing recognition around the world for living heritage. So we have the Peruvian scissor dance and Chinese wooden junk (boat) building, but we don't have examples of UK living heritage such as bonfire night or the Sheffield cutlery crafts. So whilst the scissor dancers achieve world heritage status

John Penrose Heritage Minister

Yesterday it was off to Westminster to meet John Penrose the minister for Heritage to discuss traditional crafts.

Ministerial diaries are busy and it is not easy to get a meeting at this level and when you do you rarely know how long you will get beforehand, it can be anything from 20 minutes to rarely as much as an hour. When we arrived the minister was deeply engrossed in telephone conversation with Simon Thurley of English Heritage and we could feel the clock ticking, thinking if this was eating into our 20 minutes it could end up being a long journey for a few minutes meeting.

Autumn pictures and environmentally friendly packaging

I love the light quality when the sun drops low in the sky in the autumn, side lighting brings out all the contours in the landscape and makes everything look beautiful. The workshop is pretty too, to me aesthetically soft lighting like this has deep beauty about it, not easy to explain but compared to harsh artificial light or even the bright light of a summers day it is very different.

The colours of the landscape are a treat too, this beech tree is directly across the path from my workshop door so it is what I am looking out at as I work, it changes every day.

traditional crafts on BBC Edwardian Farm

The BBCs Victorian Farm program was described as a "surprise hit" and the team are back now for Edwardian farm. We will be updating information about the crafts and craftspeople shown in the program and of course we are delighted that Alex Langlands one of the shows presenters is a patron of the Heritage Crafts Association. Alex will be speaking about Edwardian Farm at the HCA spring conference at the V&A in March.

So in the first installment we visited stonemason Ian Piper on the edge of Dartmoor where he works the local granite.

Omar Ramsden mazer bowl

The last person making really good mazers was the celebrated silver smith Omar Ramsden. His mazers were not aiming to be close to the originals but a modern twist on the old theme. They were however nicely made and now command good prices in the silver trade. This one was made in 1924 and recently sold for £2850.

5 minute break

 I am sat up late for the third night in a row doing the first sift on applications for our Heritage Crafts Association administrators job. We shortlist on Friday but have 250 applications so we are doing a pre sift before meeting. Just reading through 250 applications takes a lot of time but we want to do everyone justice. All applications will be read by two HCA trustees before the first selection takes place.

It takes a lot of concentration and wears me out so when I finished tonight and found a friend had sent me a link to this lovely video it was just what I needed, I thought I would share it.



and whilst we are completely off my normal topics why not share a couple more from my youtube favourites.




and this one is quite moving























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split wood basketry

I was first introduced to split wood basketry by my friend Owen Jones who makes oak swills.

Also Lluis Grau in Spain.

I have some lovely split wood baskets made in Eastern Europe too but I think some of my favourite split wood baskets come from the various North American traditions. I want to share some films of three split wood basket makers. First Terry Gibson 4th generation split oak basketmaker, I like the way he makes the splints with a big spokeshave like tool and he is clearly very fast.



another slightly more basic split oak basket.



And this is the gem, thanks to Sean for this. A 1985 film showing ash splint basketry. I have really loved split ash baskets since first seeing Martha Weatherbee's work in Drew Langsner's books. The descriptions I have heard of pounding have sounded really long winded though and the clip in this film at 28 minutes is incredible. The trick is clearly not continuing pounding at 90 degrees as I had always read but afterwards pounding at an angle. I also loved the discussion at 19 mins about what is a fair price, not "how much will the customer pay?" but "what is a fair price?" The riving at 20.30 is impressive too. The first 10 minutes is background to the lifestyle so if you just want baskets skip to 10 and then 20 mins.

http://www.folkstreams.net/film,94

And finally links to two US sites, a nice blog by basketmaker and teacher of split wood baskets.

and a while ago I posted a gorgeous birch bark canoe made by Jarrod Stonedahl, his partner April makes gorgeous ash baskets and teaches others too here

 

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So what does the Heritage Crafts Association actually do?

HCA committee are incredibly hard working and achieving a lot but much of what we do isn't stuff that is easy to put out in the public domain. I do a chairs report before each committee meeting and thought it might be interesting for our supporters to see these too. I'll copy the last two here in the hope that it is of wider interest to our supporters and to let you know what we are up to. I have had to remove just a couple points from of the more sensitive advocacy work but otherwise this is what we have been up to in brief note form. Just so it isn't all dull text here i'll pop in a few pics taken recently at the last scissor factory in Sheffield EH Wright & sons.

HCA CHAIRS REPORT 

Progress since meeting 18^th September 2010

HCA admin

Recruiting administrator  Recruiting subcommittee have advertised the post and a good number of applications received. Closing date 10^th Nov shortlist 12^th interviews 19^th Nov.

Strategic Plan  Completed by Patricia after much consultation, to be updated periodically and have financial forecasts developed in the future to turn it into a business plan.

Advocacy

Sir Patrick Cormack  meeting of significant people from the heritage world 1^st Feb Athenaeum progressing. Invite list agreed invitations sent.

HLF  After much speculation HLF and EH not to be amalgamated so HLF remain with enlarged budget. Congratulatory message to Jo Reilly and received v friendly response.

English Heritage Agreement to meet with John Edwards who leads on Craft Skills 18th Nov

DCMS John Penrose  Heritage and Tourism Minister. Patricia and Robin to meet Nov 16^th

BIS  Skills Consultation document drafted, discussed and submitted.

John Hayes speech at RSA could have been reading from HCA manifesto. Clear evidence that our advocacy is working. Letter written to request meeting.

CCSkills  Chris and Robin to meet Caroline Felton new CEO Nov 18^th.

Harry Reeves UNESCO UK Continued efforts to book meeting without success.

Christopher Frayling  Invited as speaker at spring conference had previous engagement but sent very nice reply.

Research

Sheffield   City Council recruited staff and initiated audit of metal trade skills.

Councils Survey  Greta has started as an intern working on a survey of councils  to find out what if anything they do for traditional crafts in their area.

Other news and events

V and A Spring Event Date set for spring event at V and A Sat 19^th March 2011 and a great program of speakers booked. Tanya Harrod, Alex Langlands, Stewart Linford, Sopie Hussain, Gail McGarva. After some discussion decided to opt not for break out sessions but long breaks for informal chats. Also “instant gallery”.

NETS Confirmation from Hereford that funding has been secured for this years courses but at a reduced level and with employers/learners needing to make a contribution. Still a success for HCA advocacy.

Training for the traditional trades Robin attended a meeting called at short notice 22^nd Oct in York to discuss this subject. Good presentation on French apprentice/journeyman system and good networking opportunity but not an initiative that looks like progressing.

 

 

 

 And this was the previous meeting

HCA CHAIRS REPORT  18^th September 2010

Progress since meeting 12^th June 2010

HCA admin

New Committee member

Following his attendance at last meeting and group discussion it was decided to invite Steve Byrne to join the committee

Funding for administrator

Headley Trust  agreed grant of £30,000 over 2 years to fund part time administrator. Recruiting subcommittee formed and most of relevant paperwork and policies produced.

Intern

Greta Bertram has agreed to undertake some intern work for us following her MA at UCL. starting Oct-Jan

Ltd Co Status

Discussion via google group concluded Ltd Company status a good idea particularly once we are an employer though not essential in short term. Concluded it could be something for new treasurer to help with when recruited.

Donations

Generous donation of £1000 agreed by vote at APTGW AGM. Also from the Fletchers Trust £250 Sussex and Surrey Coppice group £100

Advocacy

Sir Patrick Cormack

Patricia and Chris met Patrick Cormack (ex chair arts and heritage committee) he has booked Atheneum club for Feb 1^st 10.30am to host meeting with about 12 influential  invitees to discuss Heritage Crafts issues.

Radcliffe round table

Robin represented HCA at this meeting of various agencies involved in heritage and crafts notes circulated.

Also meeting with Jo Reilly HLF who is still keen to help us with a your heritage bid.

Craft Central

Potential link organisation. Offered exhibition space at Clerkenwell.

NHTG

Robin keyynote speaker at t National Heritage Training Group AGM 14^th July.

NHIG

Chris attended launch of bursaries scheme at Hampton Court

CCSkills

Patricia represented HCA at the blueprint 1 year on meeting June 26^th

Chris met with Caroline Felton new CEO

POW

We continue in our efforts to encourage HRH POW to be our president. Good communication and we are hopeful.

English Heritage

Letter from Simon Thurley chief exec making clear their current remit.

Chester Council

Brian met and established they do not keep any record or register of traditional craftspeople

Sheffield Council

After establishing that there is no one within council responsible for traditional crafts and continuing negotiation council have set aside money and staff time to audit skills of metal trades.

Press and Publicity at Shows

Article in National Trust magazine on traditional crafts, apprenticeships etc brief mention HCA.

RW attended Glastonbury and Norfolk Shows and had volunteers helpers with HCA stand alongside. Generated some interest though no noticeable jump in sign ups. Probably not worth pursuing show presence in the short term.

Living Woods magazine and Craft and Design magazine continue to feature us in most issues.

Research

Sheffield

City Council allocated funding and staff time to audit metal trade skills.

CCSkills

James  presented us with a draft research brief based on our initial proposal. We have some misgivings and need to work on resolving and rewording before going back to James.

Construction Skills

Lee Bryer and Seamus Hanna of Construction Skills happy to offer advice, also passed on brief that resulted in their successful 2008 building skills research.

Other news and events

NETS

HCA coordinated campaign to save NETS appears to have been successful. Ian Peak principal at Hereford tells us that funding has been agreed in principle for the courses to continue though some more detail needs to be worked out before there is an official announcement.

V and A spring event

Date set for spring event at V and A Sat 19^th March 2011. Tanya Harrod and Alex Langlands booked to speak. Final arrangements on program still to be made.

Apprentices

New apprentices now working at both sievemakers and scissor factory.

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made by hand

There seems to be a real movement gathering momentum asking questions about how we live our lives, particularly looking at the benefits of working with our hands and making things whether as a profession or as a hobby.

Tomorrow a new book is released in the UK written by Mark Frauenfelder the founder of the most popular blog in the world, Boing Boing with more than 5 million unique visitors a month.

It's called "Made by Hand" and is a celebration of reconnecting with the simple stuff. Here is a video where he discusses lots of folk who are simplifying their lives with a degree of self sufficiency and also his own experiments. I was delighted to see at 15.20 that he is into carving spoons.



The made by hand website

Not having a TV I missed it but James May started a mans DIY TV show yesterday on BBC2 called Man Lab.

He said "Like many people, I spend most of my working life typing at a computer. During the course of a normal day writing things for the telly, almost everything I do is – well, cerebral is too big a word for Top Gear, but you know what I mean.
After a day like that, an evening spent fixing things – messing around with a bicycle or doing a spot of DIY – is an immense therapy. It is very refreshing to do something with your hands, even if it's only to clean your shoes. Or take a clock to bits and put it back together. Or mend an old motorcycle."

All this follows on recent books the Craftsman by Richard Sennett and Shop Class as Soul Class by Matt Crawford both of which argue for a revaluing of hand skill.

Finally I wanted to share a rather wonderful animation of Ken Robinson's speech on the current state of education and how he believes it kills creativity.



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