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Heritage Crafts was set up just fourteen years ago. Since then it has gone from strength to strength, advocating at the highest levels for crafts, researching and publishing the Red List of Endangered Crafts, distributing 66 grants through the Endangered Crafts Fund and bringing crafts together in a series of conferences, forums and seminars.
We have awarded 30 training bursaries, established the Heritage Crafts Awards and shone a spotlight on our world-renowned makers through 30 National Honours successes. These are just some of the highlights of what has been achieved. Many more people are now aware of traditional crafts and the objects produced by those who carry in their hands, heads, and also hearts the skills and techniques that have been passed down through the generations.
To continue this work we need your support. Please consider making a donation, however big or small, to help ensure that heritage craft skills in the UK are given the opportunity to thrive.
If you would like to help us achieve these aims, please use the form below to donate.
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One week to go! ✨ Live demonstrations of endangered crafts, talks and more at @craftfestival with @heritagecrafts, in the Marquee of Endangered Crafts at Bovey Tracey.
Witness live demonstrations from:
✨Ed Griffiths and Sarah Spicer (@dartmoorshoemakers – shoe making
✨@zoegilbertson and @sophie_scanlon of LIFLAD, flax processing
✨Simon Nobs of @sthcoaststudio – woodgraining and marbling
✨ @nick_hand from the Department of Small works – letterpress
✨James Ashwell from @mottes_pots – clay pipe making
@stephs.midnight.flit – wagon painting
Talks Friday:
✨10.30am – @mashbonigala from the @theenglandarchive
✨ 11.30pm – @amy.goodwin.signwriter, fairground artist in conversation
✨2pm – @wheelwrightgreg and @wheelwright.sam – wheelwrights in conversation
✨ 3pm – @bramblecarpentry interviews @lacebynicholas – lacemaker
Talks Saturday:
✨ 10.30am – Sarah Liscoe, sail maker, in conversation
✨ 11.30pm – @jamesfox283 , author of ‘Craftland’
✨ 2pm – Elizabeth Jarvis interviews @johnwilliamson.dartmoor, Devon stave basket maker.
✨ 3pm – @katestrasdin author of ‘Dressing the Queen – 200 years of Making and Monarchy’
Talks Sunday:
✨ 10.30am – @thistlemetimbers and Harri Emery – boatbuilders in conversation
✨ 11.30am – @papilionaceouspuresilk – ribbon maker in conversation
✨ 2pm – @sarahvigarsart – marionette maker – talk and performance
Join us from Friday 12 to Sunday 14 June
#craftfestival #boveytracey #heritagecrafts #endangeredcrafts
When: 15 June 2026, 7pm
Where: Online
What does ‘sustainability’ really mean when applied to heritage crafts? In the world of mass manufacturing, economic success and environmental protection are often locked in a tug-of-war. But for heritage crafts makers, the story is entirely different. At the micro-scale, environmental sustainability, financial resilience and the safeguarding of vital cultural practices do not compete – they go hand-in-hand, each one reinforcing the other.
Join us for an inspiring online panel discussion featuring sustainable craft researcher Jemima Valentine-Lake @mimavalentinelake and Heritage Crafts Head of Craft Sustainability @maryeluned_craft. Together, they will explore how traditional, low-impact making creates a unique ‘virtuous circle’ that benefits the planet, local economies and our shared living heritage.
• For consumers – Discover how to cut through greenwashing and empower yourself to use your purchasing power for genuine good. Learn how buying local, handmade items directly supports ethical production, environmental care and the survival of endangered skills.
• For heritage crafts makers – Gain practical insights on how to articulate your unique sustainability story to your customers, helping them appreciate the profound value of investing in your work.
Whether you are a conscious consumer looking to make a positive impact or a maker searching for the best ways to communicate your ethical and cultural value, this discussion will help redefine how you view the future of sustainable consumption.
Register via the linktr.ee in our bio or at https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/events/the-virtuous-circle/
Over 20 posts we are profiling the recipients of our recent round of training bursaries.
Clinton Geldard @clinton_geldard, from Berkshire, is a veteran with over 20 years of experience in vehicle engineering and a long history of self-taught trim work, welding and fabrication. His bursary will fund specialist training at the @autointerioracademy and @artizantraining, focusing on advanced sewing techniques, machine maintenance and leatherwork skills for car interiors and wider leatherworking practices.
Clinton’s bursary is supported by @theleathersellers.
Clinton said: “The funding will give me the skillset to start my business and give me a career with longevity and purpose.”
Over 20 posts we are profiling the recipients of our recent round of training bursaries.
Laura Spencer @nova.stainedglass, from London, entered the stained glass trade in January 2025 through proactive unpaid placements, and has built a technical foundation in glass cutting, leading and site-based restoration at two London studios. Her bursary will fund a glass painting masterclass with @derekhuntartist, followed by 12 days of intensive one-to-one mentoring with @studioorme.
Laura’s bursary is supported by the British Society of Master Glass Painters @bsmgp.
Laura said: “This funding gives me the time, space, expertise and tools to explore glass painting, and enables me to take my maker skills to the next level. I’m excited to develop my own visual style with guidance from teachers I deeply admire, and to create stained glass pieces that reflect all my new learnings!”
Experience the awe of endangered crafts in our very own marquee at @craftfestival , it’s free to view with your festival entry ticket. 🎟️
In a little over a week we return to the wonderful Bovey Tracey Craft Festival and as you can see, it’s a real craft fest! 🔨 🎨 🧵 here you can see our Executive Director @danielcarpenter_ talking about the value of the skills and why they are important to protect, and @aaronvalentinestephens who was demonstrating signwriting in our tent.
There will be demonstrations, talks and so much more and we can’t wait to see you there.
#craftfestival #heritagecrafts #endangeredcrafts
#matchMAKER opportunity!
Fibrous Plasterwork Apprentice
Deadline: 31 July 2026
Location: Basildon, Essex
@fineartmouldings is seeking a motivated and hardworking apprentice to join its team and learn a specialist trade within the architectural mouldings and decorative plasterwork industry. This is a unique opportunity to work alongside experienced craftsmen and designers, producing bespoke mouldings, cornices, ceiling features and decorative architectural details for prestigious homes, heritage buildings and commercial projects across the UK.
As an apprentice, you will receive hands-on training in workshop production, mould making, casting, finishing, design processes and technical drawing. You will learn traditional craftsmanship combined with modern manufacturing techniques and develop skills that can lead to a long-term career within a highly respected specialist industry.
No previous experience is necessary, but a strong work ethic, positive attitude, and willingness to learn are essential.
Find out more including how to apply at https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/matchmaker.
#matchMAKER is the online platform for work-based training and entry-level employment opportunities hosted by @heritagecrafts and supported by @soanebritain.
Over 20 posts we are profiling the recipients of our recent round of training bursaries.
Tsun Hin Tang, from Leicester, brings extensive equestrian equipment maintenance experience from the Hong Kong Jockey Club and recently won third prize at the 2026 National Saddlery Competition. His bursary will fund his City & Guilds Level 2 and Level 3 training at the @walsallleatherskillscentre, covering intermediate and advanced courses in bridle, saddle and harness making.
Tsun’s bursary is supported by the @saddlerscompany.saddlershall.
Tsun said: “Receiving this funding from Heritage Crafts and the Saddlers’ Company means more to me than financial support. I began my journey in leather repair at The Hong Kong Jockey Club, and after moving to the UK I have worked hard to continue learning traditional saddlery despite language and financial challenges. This bursary gives me the opportunity to keep developing these heritage skills, build a future in the craft I love, and continue a tradition of hand craftsmanship that I deeply respect. As a Hongkonger and recent immigrant to the UK, I hope my journey can help show that heritage crafts are open to people from all backgrounds and cultures.”
Patrick Burns from the Walsall Leather Skills Centre, said: “Tsun has had one goal from the outset – to become a Master Saddler in the UK – and re-locating from Hong Kong was only the first of many sacrifices he has made in pursuit of that. Having completed the Foundation Course (and getting his first ever Certificate of which he was incredibly proud), he is close to completing intermediate Bridle and will start on both Intermediate Saddle and Harness after the Summer. We are delighted to have him as a student. He is a great ambassador for the Centre and for saddlery.”
Do you need some extra skills training to make that successful transition into craft employment or self employment?
Less than two weeks left to apply for one of our training bursaries of up to £4,000 for new and early-career heritage crafts trainees who require financial support to gain the hands-on skills they need. Training can be on a course or one-to-one in the workshop, accredited or non-accredited.
Supported the Capri Holdings Foundation for the Advancement of Diversity in Fashion, the Dulverton Trust, the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation, the Ashley Family Foundation, the Royal British Legion, the City & Guilds Foundation, the Newby Trust, Soane Britain, and Malcolm and Rosalind Gammie.
➡️ Apply now via the linktr.ee in our bio or directly at https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/opportunities/training-bursaries/
📅 Deadline: 5pm, Friday 12 June.
📷 2025 recipient Reianna Shakil @studiozrx
