Vanishing Crafts: A Poignant Look at Britain's Endangered Trades

In a poignant exploration of Britain's vanishing crafts, the new book "Craftland" by James Fox sheds light on the dwindling world of traditional manual labor. According to the main charity that supports these skills, over 285 crafts are still practiced in Britain, but more than half are endangered, and 72 are on the critical list.

The book introduces readers to the Nobles, a family of renowned stone-wallers in West Yorkshire, who have been practicing this centuries-old skill for generations. Building a dry-stone wall requires an extraordinary kind of embodied knowledge, and a well-constructed wall can last 200 years. However, the Nobles and other craftspeople face economic challenges, as even with government subsidies, they typically earn less than £85 per meter, working in conditions that only allow for a few meters per day.

Despite the difficulties, many of the craftspeople featured in the book reject the "craft" label, preferring to see their work as a trade. One Devonshire wheelwright explains, "I'm not a craftsman, this isn't a hobby, and I'm not keeping anything 'alive'. This here is a trade." This matter-of-fact attitude is shared by others, including a rush merchant and weaver, and a ceramic artist, who insist that their work is not a hobby but a profession.

As the book shimmers with love for this dwindling world of meticulous, patient labor, it also acknowledges the changing needs of society and the evolving nature of these crafts. The book serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of preserving traditional skills and the stories of the people who keep them alive.