Mastercraft television series to showcase traditional crafts

Ricochet TV is creating new six-part television series called Mastercraft, focusing on some of the country’s oldest and most highly-skilled crafts. They have enlisted some of the UK's top craftspeople from a variety of disciplines who will each mentor three apprentices on an intensive training course (from mid August to September this year). Among the crafts are green wood working, metal work, thatching, stonemasonry, weaving and stained glass.

At the end of each training period the apprentices will have the opportunity to create a final piece which will be judged by their mentor. This will be a great opportunity to raise the profile of traditional crafts and their continuing relevance today.

Ricochet have recruited the master craftspeople and are now looking for potential apprentices. The project takes place over six weeks, with accommodation provided, during which students will create a finished piece of work at the end. This has been advertised widely on the web and will have attracted a great number of applications.

If you are interested in finding out more, contact the Mastercrafts team on 01273 224800 or email mastercrafts@ricochet.co.uk.

Buy a piece of Sheffield history for £20

Nick Wright is the fifth generation of Wrights in the Sheffield scissor-making business (now trading at Kutrite). Though his team continues to produce hand crafted products of the highest quality, sadly the availability of cheap, mass-produced scissors has meant that they are currently short on orders and working a three day week.



As a result, Nick is hoping to market some scissors directly rather than selling everything wholesale. He has agreed to do a mail order service for supporters of the Heritage Crafts Association for one of their most popular lines: 8 1/4" dress making shears. These tools are at once a mini sculpture and a gorgeous piece of engineering ... and great value for money at only £20 plus £5 post and packing.



The difference between these and a cheap pair of scissors is that these are drop forged out of high carbon steel then hardened and tempered to give a very tough and hard long lasting tool. The other big difference is the setting. On a pair of cheap modern scissors the two blades never actually touch; they lie parallel to each other and do not cut as a pair of proper shears do. The two blades are skilfully ground and set in a slight curve so that they always touch just at the point you are cutting.



So here we have the perfect gift for anyone who has ever been frustrated at the lack of quality in modern tools. For just £20 plus £5 post and packing you can have a little bit of Sheffield history and help to keep this wonderful trade going for a little longer.



At the moment Nick does not accept PayPal or credit card payments so to order our scissors please send a cheque made payable to 'Kutrite of Sheffield Ltd', including your address and a note asking for 8 1/4" dress making shears to:

Kutrite of Sheffield Ltd
Kelham Works
72 Russel Street
Sheffield
S3 8RW

Thatching apprentice wanted - based in Salisbury

Thatcher Adam Nash is looking to take on a new apprentice. The individual will work with a small team (three at present) and over a two to three year period and will be taught to thatch and all aspects of thatching (combed wheat and water reed).

He or she needs to be fit and robust, and happy to work in all weathers. Hours are 8am to 5pm on site. Pay will be £46 per day with four weeks paid holiday. A sense of humour is vital!

Ideally they will have their own transport. Adam’s team is located in Salisbury but works as far away as Shaftesbury (one hour commute).

Anyone interested should come and spend two days with the team as their interview to dispel the romance attached to thatching – it is hard work.

For more information about Adam's work, visit his website at www.adamnashthatcher.co.uk. Adam can be contacted on 07976832393.