Red List Comment Submission

Commenting on: Corn dolly making

Section one - About you

Section two - Description of the craft

If you are commenting on an existing craft, please select it here and skip the next two questions

Please enter the name of the craft you would like us to add here.

If this is a new craft type please select the most suitable category

Please identify country, region, county or town

Please identify country, region, county or town

Please identify an era/century/approximate historic period.

Heritage Crafts uses a system of four categories of risk to assess the viability of heritage crafts. A heritage craft is considered to be viable if there are sufficient craftspeople to transmit the craft skills to the next generation. For more information on definitions see http://heritagecrafts.org.uk/redlist/categories-of-risk/

Section three - Current numbers of those practising the craft in the UK

People earning their main craft income from this craft (selling, commissions, conservation/ restoration and/or teaching).

People practicing this craft commercially (selling, commissions, conservation/restoration and/or teaching) but as less than half of their income.

People acquiring skills in order to become a professional in this craft, they probably have to work under supervision even if they are earning money while training.

People whose knowledge and ability is at a level of the most skilled practitioners of this craft.

People who do not intend to practice this craft professionally or at the highest level.

Section four - Issues affecting the viability of the craft

Existing content:
  • Training and recruitment issues – it is difficult to find training and this is usually restricted to one/two day courses, which are not regular and are regional.
  • Training and recruitment issues – there are no consistent pathways to learning, or current literature.  The only publications are the Straw Craftsmen News, publication of Straw Craftsmen and Corn Dolly Newsletter which also supplies contemporary designs and information.
  • Misperceptions/skills transfer issues – it is a continuing conundrum how to pass on information into a craft that is dominated by decorative straw work and the common public perception is to call all work with straw corn dollies.
  • Skills transfer issues – the making of a token to celebrate the end of harvest is deeply rooted in rural culture. All crafts evolve but there is a real danger the roots and understanding will be lost. Consequently, there will be a loss of the original techniques and designs. Many of these roots have already been lost or are known by only one or two people. Without highlighting Corn Dolly making as a separate skill awareness will continue to remain at a low level and loss of knowledge and information will continue.
  • Supply of raw materials, allied materials and tools – there are very few straw suppliers and harvest is governed by the weather. The craft depends upon the growing of old varieties of spring sown crops.
  • Market issues/misperceptions – whilst there is a demand for the products, price is always a problem. Perception of the craft with regard to its origins and longevity of the material seems to affect monetary values attached to the products.
  • Other issues – the work is labour intensive and when priced commercially the products are too expensive therefore it is extremely difficult to make a living.
  •  There has been interest by mixed media artists and sculptors who have used designs in innovative ways.

e.g. lack of qualifications, funding for training etc.

If yes, please describe the issues below

e.g. lack of demand for products/skills etc.

If yes, please describe the issues below

Tick the box if there are difficulties with the supply of raw materials, allied materials or tools

If yes, please describe the issues below

i.e. issues around running any small business, not just crafts

If yes, please describe the issues below

Is the main workforce made up of people who are approaching retirement age?

If yes, please describe the issues below

e.g. legal restrictions on materials, health and safety etc.

If yes, please describe the issues below

e.g. Brexit, Covid-19, conflict

If yes, please describe the issues below

Please describe any other issues

Section five - Current Initiatives to preserve craft skills

Please describe any UK projects or schemes

Section six - Main players in the craft – please tell us who you know about

Please list any known practitioners of this craft — add a row item for each person or business and complete the fields to the best of your knowledge. To get started click the `Add practitioner` button below.

1
Add practitioner

Section seven - Optional additional information

It may include when and where the craft developed, how it has changed over time, etc.

e.g. festivals, religious celebrations, agricultural practices, music, dance etc.

e.g. religious, ethnic, social class. Please give an overview of the techniques involved in the craft.

This may involve different materials, techniques, styles or finished products.

e.g. books, websites etc.