Mastercrafts Review

Mastercrafts

Stained Glass, BBC 2, 5th March 2010

A beautifully balanced introduction to the great tradition of British craftsmanship is introduced by gardening guru Monty Don.

In this programme in the series he starts with an illuminating history of glassmaking from Roman times and progresses via the story telling aspects of medieval church windows. The programme progresses to a more practical hands on approach. This turns what might otherwise be a crude ‘reality TV’ format into something which, in Don’s hands, provides the sense of elation and near despair of the adult learner engaging in a technically and artistically demanding learning activity. This is not quite ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ as the overt competitive streak is lessened.

We follow 3 adult learners with very different backgrounds and experiences as they embark on a strenuous 6 week course during which a number of progressive tasks are set.

Monty Don’s role is revealed in the role of senior tutor when he proposes an alternative approach to one of the later assignments.

The concluding stages come nearest to an overt challenge, when the participants become contestants to design and build a whole series of stained glass panels for the entrance to a new London academy.

Certainly a fascinating challenge and proof that, with an appropriate framework, even advanced technical skills in the crafts can be taught by someone with sufficient knowledge and expertise.

The caveat is that doesn’t have the depth of years and years of study and practice etc.

Will the series encourage a boom in learning of traditional crafts? Hopefully it will engender the interest and we should seek to ensure that there is the capacity in the system to permit such opportunities to be adequately available. These need to be both for those wishing to develop their skills simply for enjoyment or to meet the exacting standards of the professional producer.

This episode is available on BBC iPlayer until 26^th March 2010 where you can watch it by visiting http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00r8hf5/Mastercrafts_Stained_Glass/

Review by Bernard Godding