Endangered Crafts Face Extinction in Southwest

Traditional crafts in Southwest England face imminent extinction, with some skills like Withy Pot making having only one professional practitioner left. The Heritage Crafts' endangered Red List highlights this critical situation. An exhibition, 'Staying Alive: Endangered crafts of the Southwest of England,' co-curated by Heritage Crafts, is currently being held at Make Southwest in Bovey Tracey. This event features 14 master makers, exploring how geography has shaped the region's industries from boatbuilding to tanning.

These crafts, many rooted in farming and fishing demands, have preserved the region's identity due to its isolation and resources. Hilary Burns is working to revive scuttle basket making, a skill lost since the 1950s. Robert Ely, a ribbon weaver, demonstrates modern applications for traditional silk weaving, even creating audio cables. These efforts underscore the vital importance of handmade artistry for the economy, tourism, and cultural identity in an increasingly digital world.