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The stone conservationist: 'You can’t beat good old-fashioned hand tools that differ little today from those used centuries ago'
Shaun Cooper has dedicated two decades to the painstaking craft of preserving stone masonry for centuries to come. He spoke to Paula Lester; portraits by Richard Cannon.
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The hill shepherd: ‘I’m not sure where the shepherds of the future will come from’
Graham Oliver is proud of the profession handed to him by his grandfathers but with his children choosing different career paths, he doubts the future of shepherding. Tessa Waugh reports.
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The luthier: 'You don’t know if you’ve been successful until you put the strings on. That’s the moment when it comes alive'
Tom Sands brought the lessons he learnt from the California king of guitar-making back to Britain, where he makes stunning, personalised instruments for his clients. Tessa Waugh reports, photographs by Richard Cannon.
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The wine merchant: ‘We supplied George III’s Coronation and have been official supplier to every reigning monarch since’
Buying director Giles Burke-Gaffney discusses the history of Justerini & Brooks, as well as their exciting plans for the future of the wine industry. Photographs by Richard Cannon.
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The Windsor chair maker: 'What fascinates me is that a wooden chair can feel so lovely and comfortable. They just wrap themselves around you.'
Jim Steele has been making Windsor chairs by hand for a quarter of a century. He spoke to Tessa Waugh, with portraits by Richard Cannon.
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The putcher fisherman: Flying the flag for a dying way of life
Chris Cadogan, as the only remaining fisherman to practice this medieval method on the Severn, laments the decline of the industry he has dedicated his life to preserving. Tessa Waugh reports, photographs by Richard Cannon.
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The racing-yard manager: ‘The hours sometimes get on top of you, but when you get the winners, it’s all worthwhile’
A cabinetmarker by trade, Richard Leadley followed his love of horses to his current profession. Tessa Waugh reports, portrait by Richard Cannon.
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The wool-spinner still using an 1899 loom and a method handed down for 230 years
Toby Tottle embraces the traditional process of textile production in Mainland Britain's only surviving district woollen mill.
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The beekeeper: 'There are few things better than a full comb of capped liquid gold'
Amy Newsome has turned this treasured country hobby into a relaxing city pursuit. She spoke to Tessa Waugh; portraits by Richard Cannon.
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The neon sign maker: 'Piccadilly Circus was our answer to Vegas – now it's all pixellated screens'
This week's Living National Treasure is Marcus Bracey, the man behind the neon signs that light up our cities. He spoke to Tessa Waugh; portraits by Richard Cannon.
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The Scyther: ‘We were up in arms about Poldark – his swing was all wrong’
Scything was almost forgotten until Aidan Turner’s turn in Poldark, but Nigel Adams says there’s still a place for it. He spoke to Tessa Waugh; portraits by Richard Cannon.
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The costume-prop maker: 'I think of myself as a problem solver with a bit of artistry chucked in'
Tessa Waugh meets Alan Smith, head of costume props, footwear and armoury at the RSC.
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The model ship maker: 'It's been my life's work - I wouldn’t swap anything for the pleasure it gives me'
Philip Reed has dedicated most of his life to building model ships; he explained why to Tessa Waugh. Portraits by Richard Cannon.
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The hedgelayer: ‘There’s nothing better than seeing a nicely laid hedge’
Tessa Waugh meets Tina Bath, who’s been laying hedges in Somerset for 32 years.
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The rare-chicken breeder: 'Watching hens having a dust bath is a delight'
Andrew and Sue Bowden have been saving rare chicken breeds for 40 years. They spoke to Tessa Waugh; portraits by Richard Cannon.
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The sculptor: ‘Every day, I go into the studio in the morning and set about things. I don’t know any other way to live’
Tessa Waugh meets one of Britain’s most distinguished figurative sculptors.
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The Queen's rocking-horse maker: ‘Many clients commission replicas of favourite horses’
Tessa Waugh meets Marc Stevenson of Stevenson Brothers rocking horses.
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The glass-eye maker: ‘I make sure that the eye fits, but psychology comes into my work as well’
Tessa Waugh meets Jost Haas, the only remaining maker of glass eyes working in Britain today.
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The lace-maker: ‘We make something that the Chinese can’t copy’
Tessa Waugh meets Cluny Lace, the only company flying the flag for British lace.
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The Blackpool rock maker: ‘We’ve done Marmite flavour, tikka-masala flavour – whatever the customer wants’
Tessa Waugh meets Coronation World – the makers of this seaside speciality.
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The kipper-smoker: ‘A lot of the lads are made to undress outside when they get home’
Tessa Waugh meets Neil Robson of Craster in Northumberland, the man responsible for the best smoked kippers in Britain.
