The Red List
of Endangered Crafts
The Heritage Crafts Red List of Endangered Crafts, first published in 2017, was the first report of its kind to rank traditional crafts by the likelihood they would survive to the next generation, based on intangible cultural heritage safeguarding principles, led by Heritage Crafts, the only UK UNESCO-accredited NGO working primarily in the domain of traditional craftsmanship.
The list attracted extensive media coverage both in the UK and abroad, shining a light on heritage craft practices under threat from a number of identifiable issues. It is our hope that this research will act as a call to action to those who have it within their power to resolve or alleviate these issues, and that this project will mark the start of long-term monitoring of heritage craft viability and a shared will to avoid the cultural loss that is borne each time a craft dies.
Heritage Crafts committed to updating the list on a regular basis, and so between September 2022 and May 2023 over 900 organisations and individuals were contacted directly by email and telephone and invited to contribute to the research. Participants were asked to provide background information about each craft, such as its history, techniques and local forms, as well as current information relating to the number of skilled craftspeople and trainees, and the ongoing issues affecting the viability of the craft. In May 2023 the fourth edition was published, increasing the number of crafts examined to 259, with five new critically endangered crafts and 17 new endangered crafts added.
Each craft was then classified into one of four categories of endangerment using a combination of both objective criteria (such as numbers of crafts people and trainees) and subjective criteria (issues affecting the future viability of the craft including training opportunities and market trends). Issues affecting the viability of heritage crafts vary on a craft-by-craft basis, though many can be grouped, and possible solutions devised that will help many crafts practices become more viable.
For the purposes of this research, a heritage craft is defined as ‘a practice which employs manual dexterity and skill and an understanding of traditional materials, design and techniques, and which has been practised for two or more successive generations’. The research focuses on craft practices which are taking place in the UK at the present time, including those crafts which have originated elsewhere, and on those aspects of each craft with a high reliance on hand-work and which involve high levels of hand skill.
If you have any queries about the research, are aware of a heritage craft that is not listed, or have further information to add about any craft, please contact [email protected].
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Metalworker @rachaelcolleyartist from Sheffield and glassblower @allistermalcolmglassltd from Stourbridge have won Environmental Sustainability Awards, through a partnership between Heritage Crafts and the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust @qestcraft. They both received £1,000 prizes and specially-commissioned trophies at a presentation at Eltham Palace on Tuesday 26 November 2024.
The first award was for a craftsperson or microbusiness demonstrating an innovative approach to environmental sustainability, rarely before seen, that can act as inspiration for others to explore new ways of thinking and working. Rachael Colley creates jewellery and ambiguous eating implements that challenge our collective connections with food, highlighting issues of consumption and waste.
The second award recognised the achievements of a craftsperson or microbusiness that has made measurable progress in transforming the environmental impact of their craft business, through a series of incremental changes and improvements. Allister Malcolm has converted his glass studio from fossil fuels to renewable electricity, installed three-phase solar power, and worked with a UK manufacturer to enhance an electric furnace design.
The trophies for these award have been made by pole-lathe wood turner @geoffhannis, one of QEST’s emerging makers. Judges for these awards included design consultant and journalist @roddyclarkedesign, independent editor @kerrynharpercuss, QEST CEO Debbie Pocock LVO, and Heritage Crafts Trustee Jo Sealy @theblackartisans.
Read more via the linktr.ee in our bio. We will be posting about each of our awards over the next few days.
📷 @robertwadephotography
Kilt maker Nicola Laird @thekiltmakery has won both the inaugural Scotland Maker of the Year Award, supported by the William Grant Foundation, and UK Maker of the Year Award, supported by the Marsh Charitable Trust @marshawards. Each was accompanied by a £1,000 prize, awarded at a special presentation at Eltham Palace on Tuesday 26 November 2024.
The awards celebrate a heritage craftsperson in Scotland and the UK who has made an outstanding contribution to their craft within the previous year. It recognises a contribution that is far beyond the ordinary, either in pushing their craft to new levels, contributing to its promotion or continuation in an exceptional way.
Nicola Laird has been in the kilt industry for 32 years and has been teaching for eight years, during which time she has taught one hundred students. In the past year she has taken on another young apprentice, and her kilt making courses have been so successful that she has had to employ an extra person to help. She is currently finishing a book on kilt making, which will include a history of kilts and tartan, a study of kilt makers through the years, and a workbook.
The three other finalists for the award were typefounder and printer Nick Gill @effrapress (England Maker of the Year), silversmith Cara Murphy @silverlandscape (Northern Ireland Maker of the Year) and maille maker @philparkesmaille (Wales Maker of the Year).
The William Grant Foundation is a funder of good causes connected to one of Scotland’s leading family-owned businesses, with a vision of a Scotland where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. The Marsh Charitable Trust runs a portfolio of awards with a number of nationally and internationally recognised partners to celebrate the outstanding contributions of people who are committed to social, cultural and environmental causes
Read more via the linktr.ee in our bio. We will be posting about each of our awards over the next few days.
📷 @robertwadephotography
Wheelwright Sam Rowland @wheelwright.sam has won the inaugural Robin Wood Changemaker Award, supported by the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation, including a £1,000 prize awarded at a special presentation at Eltham Palace on Tuesday 26 November 2024.
The new award celebrates a maker whose unwavering dedication makes a lasting change to a heritage business, craft or sector in ways that will reverberate for years to come. It is dedicated to Heritage Craft’s first Chair MBE @robinwoodcraft MBE, who, prior to co-founding the organisation in 2010, revived the craft of pole-lathe bowl turning after seeing the lathe of the last maker George Lailey at the Museum of English Rural Life in Reading. Today pole-lathe bowl turning is on an upturn and was recently taken off the Red List, and Robin has turned his attention to toolmaking.
In August 2023, wheelwright Greg Rowland MBE @wheelwrightgreg had a catastrophic and life-changing motorcycle accident. Overnight, 23-year-old apprentice Sam Phillips had to take control of the workshop, the customers, the bills and the cashflow, all the while completing his wheelwright apprenticeship piece. He admirably rose to the challenge, finishing work that was underway, hiring extra hands to help and delivering work to London. He has shown incredible dedication, patience and maturity and continues to do so, as Greg’s recovery goes on.
It is safe to say that without Sam taking the reins, a long-established heritage business would not have survived. Sam recently married Greg’s daughter Lilac and changed his name to Rowland, ensuring the future of Rowland’s Wheelwrights for many years to come, when it so easily could have been lost.
The Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation supports innovative people working in field-based science, art and craft, teaching and protection of the natural world.
Read more via the linktr.ee in our bio. We will be posting about each of our awards over the next few days.
📷 @robertwadephotography
Glasgow silver spinner @caiusbearderdesign has won the second annual Young Metalworker of the Year Award, supported through a donation by Lucy @lucyloo37 and Laurence Butcher, including a £1,000 prize awarded at a special presentation at Eltham Palace on Tuesday 26 November 2024.
The award, now in its second year, celebrates a young metalworker who has made an outstanding start to their craft career. The winner is highly skilled amongst their peers, whilst raising the perceived value of their craft through sharing and awareness raising. They have given themselves a fantastic chance of achieving long-term success, perhaps overcoming disadvantage or setbacks along the way.
Caius Bearder is a silversmith studying silver spinning with Sheffield master craftsman and current Precious Metalworker of the Year @wm.handmade. During the time he has spent with Warren he has been meticulous in everything he does, demonstrating exceptionally fast learning and extreme competence. He is also a very generous teacher himself, having supported students at Glasgow School of Art whilst as an artist-in-residence, and latterly as a technician, passing on his skills he learnt from Warren.
The two other finalists for the award were @caitlinmurphymaker, who graduated in silversmithing and jewellery from the Glasgow School of Art and the postgraduate course at Bishopsland Educational Trust, and Zac Parrott, who has trained with blacksmith Peter Fenton, to make tool and decorative and functional ironwork, including a very accomplished Irish farm gate.
Read more via the linktr.ee in our bio. We will be posting about each of our awards over the next few days.
📷 @robertwadephotography
Gloucestershire embroiderer Beth Somerville @beth.som has won the inaugural Young Embroiderer of the Year Award, supported by the Worshipful Company of Broderers, including a £1,000 prize awarded at a special presentation at Eltham Palace on Tuesday 26 November 2024.
The inaugural award celebrates a young embroiderer who has made an outstanding start to their craft career. The winner is highly skilled amongst their peers, whilst raising the perceived value of their craft through sharing and awareness raising. They have given themselves a fantastic chance of achieving long-term success, perhaps overcoming disadvantage or setbacks along the way.
Beth Somerville started a degree in plant science at Manchester University, before diverting to pursue a career as a textile designer at Falmouth University. In 2023 she was awarded the New Designer of the Year after exhibiting at New Designers, and invited to show her work at the Knitting and Stitching Show. Since graduating, Beth has completed the Chanel and @kingsfdn Metiers d’Art Fellowship.
The two other finalists for the award were @imogen.marmont, who combines traditional skills with organic materials to create exquisite designs, and in 2023 received an award for stitch innovation sponsored by the Worshipful Company of Needle Makers, and @rosiemerrimanstudio, who strives to make impactful, unconventional textile pieces, and who received the Principal’s Award for Studentship during her degree in Textile Design, and has since studied in Paris. Both Imogen and Rosie have also completed their Chanel and King’s Foundation Metiers d’Art Fellowships.
Among the award judges was goldwork embroiderer @hannynewton, recent recipient of the inaugural Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust Sanderson Rising Star Craft Award.
The Worshipful Company of Broderers is an ancient company with a busy programme blending a keen interest in the art of embroidery with an ethos of friendship, charity support and fun.
Read more via the linktr.ee in our bio. We will be posting about each of our awards over the next few days.
📷 @robertwadephotography
@maryeluned_craft is representing @heritagecrafts as part of the UK delegation to 19th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Amazing crafts, many opportunities for sharing experiences and knowledge of ICH and a wonderful welcome in Paraguay.
@tracscotland
@museums.galleries.scotland
@cultura_py
This week’s #mondaymaker is Szilvia Burrows – a knitwear designer and designer-maker.
Szilvia learnt constructive knitting at university and was immediately intrigued. She loves working on her industrial machine due to the fabric it produces, and takes pride in working on a machine that is no longer in circulation, carrying on this craft for future generations.
If you want to read an exclusive interview about Szilvia’s work, become a member of Heritage Crafts and learn more in the members portal: https://www.heritagecrafts.org.uk/join-us/
#heritagecrafts #mondaymaker #knitweardesign
London upholsterer @libbypayneportfolio has won the 2024 Young Upholsterer of the Year Award, supported by @house_of_sonnaz, including a £1,000 prize awarded at a special presentation at Eltham Palace on Tuesday 26 November 2024.
The award, now in its second year, celebrates a young upholsterer who has made an outstanding start to their craft career. The winner is highly skilled amongst their peers, whilst raising the perceived value of their craft through sharing and awareness raising. They have given themselves a fantastic chance of achieving long-term success, perhaps overcoming disadvantage or setbacks along the way.
Libby Payne sought employment within the upholstery trade early in her studies, and her enthusiasm quickly led her to secure a position at a commercial workshop. Where others may have paused their formal education, Libby recognised the value of combining her studies with hands-on experience, dedicating all her time and energy to both. Her work rivals that of upholsterers with decades of experience, and she consistently produces results of the highest quality.
The two other finalists for the award were Maya Bennett, who has been studying with @the_amusf diploma syllabus part-time at the Bristol Upholstery Collective for two years, and @maisiefox, who had previously worked for an interiors company, making upholstered furniture to clients’ specifications, before dedicating herself to gaining her AMUSF diploma at London Metropolitan University.
House of Sonnaz is a sustainability-led luxury lifestyle and homeware brand from @sonnaz_ Nooranvary (BBC The Repair Shop). Its furniture range features innovative ways of designing, making and supplying, with a mission to create incredible furniture and furnishings, bringing fabulousness and craftsmanship into every space it possibly can.
Read more via the linktr.ee in our bio. We will be posting about each of our awards over the next few days.
📷 @robertwadephotography
