Timeline of the Heritage Crafts Association

Frank BainesFebruary 2009

  • Heritage Crafts Association established.

March 2009

  • Meetings with Lord Tony Young (Minister for Skills and Apprentices), Artworkers Guild, English Heritage, HLF, Arts Council England, Crafts Council and VAN.
  • HCA website launched.
  • Proposals for a suggested education outline for a craftworker.

April 2009

  • Adjournment Debate in the House of Commons by Tom Levitt, MP for High Peak, on heritage craft, with a follow up meeting with the Minister for Culture, Barbara Follett.

June 2009

  • Crafts Blueprint launched by the Creative and Cultural Skills (CCS) sector council; Brian Crossley and Patricia Lovett attended as Blueprint committee members and Robin Wood as Chair of HCA.

July 2009

  • Meetings with David Bell (NADFAS), Ben Bradshaw (Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport), Ed Vaizey (Shadow Minister for Culture), Mark Jones (V&A), National Trust, ICON, British Council and Royal Warrant Holders Association.

August 2009 to January 2010

  • Patricia Lovett, on behalf of HCA, wrote the National Occupation Standards for Craft with the Standards Officer at CCS.

September 2009

  • Dr Roy Brigden, Professor Ted Collins, Sir Mark Jones and Alex Langlands agree to be HCA Patrons.

October 2009

  • Meetings with Mick Elliot (DCMS, Director of Culture), Jeremy Hunt (Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport), Sir Patrick Cormack.

November 2009

  • Research into National Living Treasures/Craft Champions carried out for future action.

December 2009

  • Charitable status granted.

January 2010

  • Online HCA survey of craftspeople.

March 2010

  • The first forum of heritage craftspeople, keynote speech by Professor Ewan Clayton, and discussion groups, with results on the HCA website held at the V&A.
  • Launch of HCA, with Phil Harding, TV presenter and flint knapper, at the V&A.
  • Launch of HCA Friends’ and Affiliated Groups Scheme.

April 2010

  • Follow-up leaflets and information sent to those attending the launch and forum, and other interested parties.
  • HCA helps the last sieve and riddle maker find a successor, saving the craft from extinction.

May 2010

  • Launch of map of craftspeople on the HCA website.

June 2010

  • HCA at the Open Day at the Museum of English Rural Life with many of the committee demonstrating and talking to visitors.
  • Robin Wood represents HCA at Glastonbury.
  • Patricia Lovett gives HCA presentation at CCS Crafts Blueprint ‘One Year On’ conference.

July 2010

  • Robin Wood represents HCA at the Norfolk Show.
  • Meeting with Sir Patrick Cormack.
  • Unofficial meeting with Theresa May, Home Secretary, with follow-up information sent.
  • Awarded £15,000 for two years from the Headley Trust for an administrator.
  • Frank Hassard gives HCA presentation: Intangible Heritage - ideas, challenges, opportunities to heritage and culture conference with representatives from the Cameroons, UK, Saudi Arabia, USA and Estonia, to emphasise the importance of heritage craft to the new global ecology – for both human and environmental concerns.
  • Robin Wood attends round table meeting organised by Radcliffe Trust to look at heritage and craft issues.

August 2010

  • Patricia Lovett represents HCA on the CCS committee formed to take the Crafts NOS to the next stage.
  • Robin Wood meets with Sheffield City Council to initiate survey into metal trade skills.
  • Robin Wood speaks at Carpenters Fellowship annual Frame event.

November 2010

  • Meeting with Caroline Felton, CEO, Creative & Cultural Skills.
  • Meeting with John Edwards, English Heritage lead on skills.
  • Meeting with Andrew Sich, Head of Policy & Corporate Affairs, City and Guilds.
  • Meeting with John Taylor, Livery Company Skills Council.
  • Meeting with John Penrose, Minister for Tourism and Heritage. Mr Penrose issues statement recognising crafts as 'valuable parts of our heritage'.
  • Appointed first Administrator Sally Dodson, funded by the Headley Trust.
  • Sheffield Metal Trade Audit meeting to agree scope and staff appointed.

January/February 2011

  • Meeting with Skills Minister John Hayes.
  • Meeting with significant leaders in the world of heritage and craft, organised by Lord Cormack.

March 2011

  • HCA Spring Conference with Professor Tanya Harrod, Alex Langlands of the BBC Edwardian Farm programme, and makers at the V&A.
  • HCA announces the Presidency of HRH the Prince of Wales.

May 2011

  • HCA Skills Forum at 45 Millbank, sponsored by the Balvenie, with keynote message from Skills Minster John Hayes MP.

June 2011

  • Balvenie Masters of Craft awards ceremony.
  • Robin Wood, Sophie Hussain and Guy Mallinson represent HCA at Glastonbury.

We have also had meetings and/or detailed talks with over seventy craft associations, and are currently following up as many others of the rest that we can contact.