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.
Donate to save an endangered craft (£5 for the 5th edition)
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 is committed to updating the list on a regular basis, and so, with support from the Pilgrim Trust, over 900 organisations and individuals were contacted directly by email and telephone and invited to contribute to the research between September 2024 and May 2025. 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, including the effects of the current energy crisis.
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].
Latest Red List stories
Craft skills remain under threat with 20 new additions to the Red List of Endangered Crafts
Nine more grants to help save endangered crafts
Craft skills under threat with 17 additions to the Red List of Endangered Crafts
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This week’s #mondaymaker is Kate Doig – a stained glass artist.
Kate creates painted glass art pieces as well as taking occasional commissions. She also repairs and restores old leaded panels, and offers a full re-leading service from her studio in Somerset. Kate began studying the basics of leaded stained glass alongside metal work and forging in 2000. She refined her glass studies at the Bristol School of Art in 2004, learning the art of glass fusing, silk screening, acid etching, sandblasting and various techniques using glass paints and stains.
Kate now enjoys teaching the craft and has been running regular workshops from her studio in Somerset, as well as occasionally teaching in external venues, for the last fifteen years.
View Kate’s full profile on our maker’s directory: https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/maker/katedoig/
#heritagecrafts #mondaymaker #stainedglass
Over 36 posts we are profiling the recipients of our recent round of training bursaries.
Molly Richards @mol.bags, from Leeds, is a self-taught bag maker who uses reclaimed materials. Her bursary will fund a tailored training programme in London, including a masterclass and one-to-one sessions at @the_london_leather_workshop, to help her develop her skills in leathercraft, design and business.
Molly’s bursary is supported by Malcolm and Rosalind Gammie.
Molly said: “Receiving this training bursary from Heritage Crafts means I can take an exciting step with my bag-making practice into learning a new material and way of working!”
Over 36 posts we are profiling the recipients of our recent round of training bursaries.
Erik Warner, from Birmingham, has done various short courses in tailoring. As well as a couture collection focusing on sustainability, he would also like to act as a role model and inspiration for young people. His bursary will fund one-to-one training with tailor @jojoremeny.
Erik’s bursary is supported by the Capri Holdings Foundation for the Advancement of Diversity in Fashion
Erik said: “Receiving the Heritage Crafts bursary will not only galvanise and broaden my skills in traditional tailoring and fashion but give me the confidence to pursue my ambitions and goals. At the same time, it will allow me to explore sustainable practices that honour both craft and conscience…..rooted in heritage, avant-garde creativity and responsibility.”
At the recent Heritage Crafts Awards Winners’ Reception at @wentworth_woodhouse we took the opportunity to celebrate 23 of our 50 training bursary recipients from this year, all of whom are acquiring the key hand skills they need to have a successful and fulfilling craft career.
Image 1:
• Reianna Shakil @studiozrx, furniture maker
• Zein Harfouch @zeinhh.design, furniture maker
• Emily Salinas @emilysalinas_, signwriter
Supported by the @cityandguildsfoundation
Image 2:
• Winta Afewerki @winta_a_, tailor
• Leah Jennings @threadsoflobo, weaver
• Kuljit Jandoo @_sparklesandcraft, jewellery maker
• Angel Nkomo @Iamangelnkomo, fashion textile maker
• Aminat Seriki @s.i.l.e.nt.t, machine knitter
Supported by the Capri Holdings Foundation for the Advancement of Diversity in Fashion
Image 3:
• Michelle Wong @mwmakes, leatherworker
• Rob Price @oldnorthnature, shoe maker
• Emily Perigaud @wildstyledogs, saddler
• Johnette Taylor @netteleathergoods, leatherworker
• Eleni Kai @elenikai, shoe maker
Supported by @theleathersellers, the British Leather Industry Development Trust and @worshipfulcordwainers
Image 4:
• William Appleby @willapplebysilversmith, silver spinner
• Annie Higgins @annie_higs, silversmith
• Rebecca Oldfield @rebeccaoldfieldjewellery, silversmith
Supported by @royalmintuk
Image 5:
• Clare Sikorsa @rm07_studio, tailor
• Rachel Spence @rachel.luthier, luthier
• Freya Bletsoe @@isabellaossett, polisher
• Kerrie Hanna @kerriehanna, stained glass artist
Supported by the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation, the Angelicat Trust, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund
Image 6:
• Jenni Bangs @thistlesandtimber, boatbuilder
Supported by the William Grant Foundation
Image 7:
• Lesley Romano, calligrapher and illuminator
Supported by @ssi_uk
Image 8:
• Phoebe Harris @phonservation, timber frame conservator
Supported by the @sussexheritagetrust
Over 36 posts we are profiling the recipients of our recent round of training bursaries.
Scott Macfarlane, from the Scottish Highlands, served for 15 years in the Royal Air Force and the British Army. He seeks to train in the critically endangered craft of sporran making, complementing his wife’s kiltmaking business. His bursary will fund training with leatherworker @armitageleather to get a well-rounded foundation in the craft.
Scott’s bursary is funded by the @armybenevolentfund.
Scott said: “I am delighted to have received funding to train in sporran making. This support not only allows me to develop my skills but also gives me the opportunity to begin turning my passion for craft and Scotland into something more sustainable.”
Over 36 posts we are profiling the recipients of our recent round of training bursaries.
Angel Nkomo @iamangelnkomo, from London, began her interest in fashion at school as a fashion leader, but her hopes of moving into an apprenticeship or junior position within the industry were prevented due to a lack of qualifications. Her bursary will fund her place on the Level 1 and 2 sewing courses at the @fashiontechnologyacademy.
Angel’s bursary is supported by the Capri Holdings Foundation for the Advancement of Diversity in Fashion
Angel said: “I’ve been working towards diving deeper into sewing and fashion design but unfortunately ran into some barriers. This bursary represents the chance for me to grow my skills and take my craft more seriously. It’s a big step towards me building the future I’ve dreamed of.”
Earlier this year, we awarded @ruthfarrisdesigns and @bea.uprichard of @fishbone.sycamore an Endangered Crafts Fund grant to develop new products and routes to market for silk woven at Macclesfield’s historic Paradise Mill @silkmuseummacc.
Now they have launched a new range of scarves made from one hundred percent deadstock silk using heritage machinery at the mill. They are soft, vibrant, and easy to wear, and every purchase helps save heritage jacquard silk weaving in the UK.
https://fishbone-sycamore.square.site/
Heritage Crafts is an official Community Support Hub for the new UK Living Heritage Inventory launched by @dcmsgovuk today.
An area of heritage often overlooked, living heritage (or ‘intangible cultural heritage’) is a broad subject that can include everything from bell-ringing to boat-building, cèilidh to carnival, pantomime to pancake day, highland games to Eisteddfod, Lambeg drumming to long sword dancing, and dry-stone walling to wassailing.
The inventory is being set up by the Governments of the UK, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland following the UK joining the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage last year. Its purpose is to raise awareness and start a conversation about the value of this heritage, paving the way for future efforts to improve its safeguarding.
A call for submissions has opened communities in the UK to submit their traditions and heritage practices at www.livingheritage.unesco.org.uk. During the next four months until Friday 27 March, we are offering online workshops and support for organisations, groups and individuals who wish to make a submission. You can also get in touch with us if you have specific queries about your craft and the inventory.
Heritage Crafts Community Support Hub Information Sessions and Q&A – come along to hear about the project and ask any questions you might have
• Thursday 18 December, 3pm to 4.30pm
• Thursday 18 December, 6.30pm to 8pm
• Wednesday 14 January, 3pm to 4.30pm
• Wednesday 14 January, 6.30pm to 8pm
• Thursday 12 February, 3pm to 4.30pm
• Thursday 12 February, 6.30pm to 8pm
Heritage Crafts Community Support Hub Surgeries – come along to discuss your application with other groups making submissions
• Wednesday 28 January, 3pm to 4.30pm
• Tuesday 24 February, 6.30pm to 8pm
Sign up via the linktr.ee in our bio.
