Red List Comment Submission

Commenting on: Tanning (oak bark)

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:
  • Loss of skills: There are very few oak bark tanneries where most of the processes are carried out by hand using natural oak bark. Some hand processes alongside mostly machine processes in other tanneries.
  • Loss of skills: Part of the heritage craft skill that is being lost is the art of extracting tannin from plant material, something which bark tanners understand and practice in their tanneries
  • Lack of Machinery: Most of the machinery required for small scale tanneries that existed on farms was destroyed in the 1970’s as well as the lack of businesses producing machinery in the UK. Therefore Tanneries are now having to design and build their own equipment.
  • Lack of Engineers: Very few engineers now know how to repair aged machinery as well as issues with sourcing parts.
  • Funding: There is a lack of funding around historic trades which makes it hard for them to keep going or for new ones to set up (expense of set up)
  • Training issues: Training is done within the business, with the most experienced people training the newcomers in the various processes. Enough people (not more than two at any one time) are being trained to meet the current market. They should still be able to earn a living in twenty years time.
  • Lack of Knowledge: Much of the knowledge of bark tanning disappeared due to imported materials and chemicals (pre 1930) as well as faster production demands during war time.
  • Market issues: There are a lot of available markets, but someone has to go and look for them to enable the business to thrive. These include shoes, saddlery, luggage, and fashion goods. Again, company buyers need to be educated regarding quality if our production is not to lose out to cheaper machine processed leathers.
  • Supply of raw materials: Local hides are used and generally the standard is quite good, although a premium is paid for selection. Materials are bought through a hide merchant, and they buy from the abattoir, and they know what is needed. The supply chain of bark to tanneries has been broken and many Forestry workers are not trained around bark harvesting systems e.g. when to harvest and how to store bark.

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.