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Read MoreHeritage Skills and Community Engagement
At Craftworks Heritage, we’re passionate about preserving traditional craft skills through our Heritage Skills Training Programs. We believe in the importance of investing in these skills to keep our cultural heritage alive. Our programs serve young people, community groups, and career changers who are interested in learning valuable craft skills courses near you.
We offer a wide range of heritage trades, from Stained Glass and Thatching to Stone Masonry, Carpentry, and Lead Working, Blacksmithing and Farriership. Our craft skills courses near you provide unique insights into traditional crafts and the exciting career opportunities they bring. Funded by various organizations, our non-profit initiative offers an accessible path to learn and appreciate these valuable skills.
See the list of craft skills we can provide below if you’re looking for a heritage craftwork skills course close to you. And why not get in touch with us for further details about the newest planned craft skill training? We would be honoured to support you as you work towards mastering your craft.
Samples of our projects can be seen here
Heritage Skills and CITB
CITB recognizes the importance of heritage skills in preserving historic buildings. They provide training programs to pass on traditional techniques and knowledge. By promoting the use of heritage skills, CITB helps maintain the authenticity and safety of historic structures. This ensures that these buildings remain a vital part of our cultural heritage for generations to come. Moreover, CITB’s emphasis on heritage skills contributes to the preservation of traditional crafts and trades, which might otherwise be lost over time.
Endangered Crafts
Endangered crafts in the UK, such as basket weaving, glassblowing, and blacksmithing, face the risk of disappearing due to a decline in skilled artisans and limited public awareness. To combat this issue, the Heritage Crafts Association has identified over 150 endangered crafts and offers training programs and apprenticeships to support their continued practice. It’s essential to preserve these traditional crafts not just for their cultural and historical value, but also to maintain the diversity and sustainability of the UK’s creative economy. By increasing public awareness and support for endangered crafts, we can ensure that these skills continue to be passed down to future generations.
Heritage Skills Insights
Stained Glass
Stained glass is a beautiful and intricate art form. The artist breathes life into their designs by piecing together colourful glass pieces. All while the framework made of lead or metal came securely holds the glass in place. And together, with the soldering of it, to form a strong bond. And so , the precise cutting and careful arrangement of the glass are essential in achieving the desired effect. Mastering these heritage skills requires patience and attention to detail.
Despite experiencing a renaissance in recent years, traditional lead light working remains one of the UK’s endangered crafts. Making it a popular heritage skills course.
You can find more about Stained glass and Leaded Lights by clicking here
Thatching
Thatching is a roofing method with roots dating back to ancient times. Reeds, straw, or heather are the dried plant materials used to create a thatched roof that offers excellent insulation, fire resistance, and affordability. The key to success in thatching lies in layering the materials in overlapping patterns, resulting in a durable and waterproof roof. While this heritage skill may be becoming rarer, it continues to play an important role in preserving cultural heritage.
Another one of the UK’s Endangered Crafts.
Stone Masonry
Working with natural stone to create architectural features and decorative accents is known as stonemasonry. Stone masons need to be precise and skilled because they must carefully choose, cut, and fit the stones together to build a sturdy and secure construction. This traditional trade has proven to be popular over time due to its robustness and aesthetic appeal, making it a timeless profession.
Another endangered craft in the UK.
Lead Working
Lead working involves the creation of objects and structures from lead, a soft and pliable metal. Workers in this trade mold and shape lead into their desired form, relying on their knowledge of lead properties and safe handling practices. Lead working has a rich history, with lead workers using this heritage skill for centuries to make roofing, pipes, and sculptures that are both functional and beautiful.
Carpentry
Carpentry involves the transformation of wood into structures and objects. The process requires cutting, shaping, and joining the wood. Carpenters must have a good understanding of hand and power tools, and the ability to make precise cuts and joints. This heritage skill is applied in a variety of products, such as furniture, cabinetry, and building structures. It requires expertise and experience, making it a valuable trade to master.Â
Whilst carpentry as a whole is continuously evolving, there are many aspects to the heritage skills that make it another one of the UK’s Endangered Crafts. And this is one cause to promote heritage skills courses such as this.
Blacksmithing / Farriership
Blacksmithing, also known as farriership, involves the shaping and forging of metal using hand tools and heat. This process requires heating the metal until it is malleable, then hammering, bending, and twisting it to create various shapes and forms. Blacksmiths must have a good understanding of metallurgy and the properties of different metals, as well as the ability to work with precision and accuracy. This heritage skill is applied in creating tools, weapons, decorative objects, and horseshoes. It requires expertise and experience, making it a valuable trade to master.
Blacksmithing and farriership are endangered crafts in the UK. And the traditional techniques and knowledge required for these trades are at risk of being lost without preservation efforts.
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Hedge Laying
Hedge laying is an endangered heritage skill that requires precision and expertise to transform living hedges into beautiful and functional structures. Skilled hedge layers use their knowledge of pruning techniques to cut and lay living stems, creating a dense and uniform hedge with specific angles. Their expertise is not limited to field boundaries but also encompasses creating garden hedges and wildlife habitats. Although this art form is continuously evolving, many aspects of the heritage craft require experience and knowledge to master. Therefore, it is crucial to preserve and promote hedge laying as a valuable heritage skill. Contact us to experience this unique and remarkable art form firsthand.
Are you looking for a craftwork heritage skills course near Leicester? Is there some craft skill above that interests you? Ask us if there’s some other craftwork skill we haven’t listed. Why not contact us for more information on the latest scheduled craft skills training.
Contact for Heritage Skills
Workshop : Leicester Heritage Skills CoursePhone: 07565594920
Thistle House Farm
Kibworth Harcourt,
Leicester LE7 9EQKibworth Harcourt,
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