> [!NOTE]+ Meta
> Author:: Imogen Bright Moon
> Reference:: Bright Moon, I., _Cultural values: why Heritage Crafts is redefining ‘craft.’_ (2023). https://www.craftscouncil.org.uk/stories/cultural-values-why-heritage-crafts-is-redefining-craft
> Date:: 2023
> Tags:: #warp #English
> WeftLinks:: [[Cultural value of craft]]
> Claim:: [[Claim - Craft fosters the resilience of a minority cultural group]]
> [!SUMMARY] Summary
> The Romani community in the UK used their crafts to sustain their identity within British culture.
### Highlights
Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showmen and Boater (GRTSB) communities
Romani people arrived in England in the 1500s
A major element of Heritage Crafts’ work is the [Red List of Endangered Crafts](https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/methodology-2023/), which is published biennially. The 2023 edition, launched last month, included for the first time three practices by GRTSB craftspeople: [canal art](https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/canal-art-and-boat-painting/) (barge and narrowboat painting, associated with the Boater community), Showmens' [fairground art](https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/fairground-art/) (which includes lettering work), and the Romani Traveller craft of [vardo making](https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/vardo-art-and-living-waggon-crafts/) ('vardo' translates to 'van', so that's the creation of bow-top and painted wagons). GRTSB presence was also noted in horn and antler working, practiced by Scottish Travellers; and floristry and tin-smithing, which is largely done by the Irish traveller community.
Traveller culture has an inbuilt practice of passing on skills inter-generationally.
Next year there will be a significant exhibition at Museums Worcestershire designed by Romani curator Georgina Stevens.