Red List Comment Submission

Commenting on: Mechanical organ 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: There are no qualifications, and funding and time to train are a problem.
  • Lack of skills: There is a lack of passed down skills in conservation and restoration. The work is time consuming and requires knowledge and skills in multiple parts and components.
  • Market issues: There is still a demand despite the decline in traditional use at fun fairs etc.
  • Market issues: Financial and legislative changes in recent times have led to a decline in usage and wider ownership.  For example, large instruments require transportation, licencing, vehicle, taxation etc. There is also an issue with the high costs of storage for private owners.
  • Supply of raw materials: Some materials are difficult to source such as metal parts that have to be engineered or types of wood used.
  • Small business issues: Typically the restorer/builder has to deal with all the administration as well as the technical work. The work is time consuming with a slow turnover.
  • Legislative issues: Some materials are now difficult to source and some health and safety restrictions can make things difficult.
  • Global and geopolitical issues: Brexit has had an impact on the flow of materials and parts as many come from Europe.
  • Poor repairs due to lack of skills: Many instruments have been poorly repaired to the point that they become unsalvageable. Instruments also need regular upkeep and servicing that can be expensive.

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.

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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.