The November/December 2011 issue of craft&design magazine features Jan Lasnon's exclusive interview with John Hayes MP about government policy towards crafts.

In the last issue Skills Minister John Hayes explained a little about the government’s plans to address the crucial question ‘how are we going to train the next generation of craftspeople?’.

To follow up on this, Jan Lasnon put some specific questions to the Minister to find out how things are progressing.

Read it here.

Craftspeople delighted by support from HRH the Prince of Wales

The Prince of Wales has always had wonderful respect for craftspeople working with tradition, and now he has taken on the presidency of a new organisation created by craftspeople themselves. The Heritage Crafts Association brings together all the crafts to celebrate and support the knowledge and techniques that have successfully been passed down through the generations and which now form an important part of the country's cultural heritage.

From saddlers in Walsall and cutlers in Sheffield, to shoemakers in Northampton and basketmakers in Somerset, crafts have been an integral part of our towns and countryside. Our most common surname of Smith, and others like Thatcher, Potter, Turner or Cartwright, show that we are a nation of craftspeople. Some of these crafts are alive and well and others could see a resurgence given a little encouragement. Often a simple story in the press is all that is needed to turn a business round from struggling to thriving.

Wednesday 11 May 2011, 1pm to 5pm
Chelsea College of Art and Design, 16 John Islip Street, London SW1P 4JU

Want to shape the future of traditional craft skills?

With generous support from The Balvenie, the Heritage Crafts Association has organised a Skills Forum on 11 May 2011 at Chelsea College of Art and Design, London. It is free to attend and the afternoon will include:

• Keynote speech by Jo Reilly, Heritage Lottery Fund
• Discussions facilitated by Hilary Jennings, Crafts Consultant
• Summary by Robin Wood, Chair, Heritage Crafts Association
• Networking with other industry professionals
• Whisky tasting following the Skills Forum, kindly arranged by The Balvenie, the most handcrafted Single Malt Scotch Whisky