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 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/
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.
Training and recruitment issues – There are currently no trainees in figurehead carving although there are some in general wood carving who will have transferrable skills. It is difficult to train someone within a business where the work is itinerant and working patterns are unpredictable. A ships carver will often have to go to where the ship is to do the work.
Market issues – There is a market issue that won’t be addressed unless we can increase the use and interest in sailing ships. Allied trades like ship carving can only be viable if there are enough working boats on the water.
Supply of raw materials, allied materials and tools – The materials are not difficult to source but they have reduced in quality and are increasingly expensive. It is getting more and more difficult to source new tools that are of a good enough quality.
Ageing workforce – Awareness of the craft, and of boatbuilding in general, is quite low and so there are problems with appealing to young people and raising awareness of the opportunities that might be available.
Conservation and restoration issues – There has been a significant rise in the number of conservation companies who are just interested in conserving, rather than restoring, and don’t necessarily have the hand skills to make new carving or replace damaged carving.
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.
Tick the box if there are difficulties with the supply of raw materials, allied materials or tools
i.e. issues around running any small business, not just crafts
Is the main workforce made up of people who are approaching retirement age?
e.g. legal restrictions on materials, health and safety etc.
e.g. Brexit, Covid-19, conflict
Please describe any other issues
Please describe any UK projects or schemes
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.
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.
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