Reading yesterdays guardian I came across an article by Jon Henley, called ‘Last of their Kind’. Which was a view of ‘heritage crafts’. These are skilled craftsmen who make useful tools and object, but very much reminded me of some of the things I like to think of as readymades.

This led me to the actual series on the guardian website which contains the most amazing audio slideshows of these skilled craftsmen and their work. The picture above shows a few, Peter Martin of J Sutton. Who makes oars. Of particular interest to me was the production of skulls. Which had me yearning for a row on the river, which I did alot of at school. Next is Trevor Ablett who makes pocket knives in Sheffield. Making me think I need to upgrade my own knife. Edward Barder makes split-cane rods, which I didn’t know anything about until I saw this little slideshow, and everyone who owns one is the comments seems to describe as a work of art. Finally a personal favourite Adam King who makes besom broomsticks. I only last week dicovered that a traditional broom that I would call witches broom is actually called a besom.

Watching the slide shows was a revelation, and its a credit to the guardian that they have put together this series.