Your editorial (The hidden carvings of Salisbury cathedral: messages to the future, 12 September) draws attention to vanishing crafts and trades, and lauds the refusal of Salisbury masons to “go quietly” by leaving evidence of their work.
It also brings to mind the Guédelon project, currently being undertaken in Burgundy. There, an investigative archaeological experiment is being conducted, building a medieval castle from scratch in a former quarry and an oakwood, using nothing but tools and techniques of the period.
Everything used on and in the castle is fabricated there, including the materials, the workshops and the equipment. The required craft skills are developed and used, and on-site training courses extend those skills and the knowledge being gained to the world, so that a wide range of traditional crafts are preserved. The project enhances an understanding of history and also functions as a very successful tourist attraction.
Such crafts have more applications than just the preservation of ecclesiastical buildings, discussed in your editorial, and Britain’s knowledge and skills base could certainly be enhanced if similar projects were to be developed here.
Richard Towler
Langwathby, Cumbria
• Have an opinion on anything you’ve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
