After applying way back in October 2017, we were absolutely delighted to be informed in March that we were finalists at this years Heritage Crafts Association Awards in the “Made in Britain” category.
The Heritage Crafts Association is the advocacy body for traditional heritage crafts. Working in partnership with Government and key agencies, it provides a focus for craftspeople, groups, societies and guilds, as well as individuals who care about the loss of traditional crafts skills, and works towards a healthy and sustainable framework for the future. Their core aim is support and promote heritage crafts as a fundamental part of our living heritage.
The awards were held in London at The Royal Society of Medicine as part of the HCA’s Conference and AGM under the title “Crafts for the Future”. The day included some very interesting and insightful keynote speakers on the subject amongst whom were ceramics producer and HCA Patron Emma Bridgewater, Sam Walton of Hole & Corner Magazine and TV presenter and HCA Patron Paul Martin. There were also a number of presentations by makers of crafts considered to be critically at risk including disappearing fore-edge painter Martin Frost, sawmakers Shane and Jacqueline Skelton and parchment and vellum maker Wim Visscher MBE.
Unfortunately on this occasion we were runners up along with Honister Slate Mine (http://honister.com) and Genevieve Knits (http://www.vampireknits.com) to worthy winners Green Shoes (https://www.greenshoes.co.uk). Slight disappointment aside, myself and Deborah had a most enjoyable (if fleeting) visit to the capital and came away feeling both greatly inspired and proud of the small part we play in “remaining analogue in a digital age”!
For anyone interested in becoming a member of the association as a maker or supporting in some other way, visit the HCA website at http://heritagecrafts.org.uk. This includes an extensive list of recognised/supported crafts.
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