There's nothing better than settling in to watch a craft TV show – and we can't wait to watch Bill Bailey's new show, giving junior crafters the opportunity to become experts in their chosen crafts.
Bill Bailey's Master Crafters: The Next Generation will see nine junior crafters, who specialise in three heritage crafts, take part in bespoke masterclasses to help them improve in their chosen fields.
Each masterclass is given by an expert Master Crafter and during each class, the contestants will create a piece of work. All the masterclasses will take place in Messums Barn, a 12th century thatched barn in Wiltshire.
The junior crafters are training to become experts in three heritage crafts. They are stained glass glaziers, wood carvers and silversmiths.
The junior crafters are also commissioned as a group to create an heirloom piece, which will sit in the gardens of Highgrove House, the summer residence of King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Comedian and actor Bill Bailey, who hosts the show, said: "It’s really a celebration of the crafts, it isn’t a competition – no one gets voted off, it’s very much about celebrating each craft and encouraging people to learn more about the crafts and take it up themselves."
Bill found that the show inspired him to develop his crafting skills. He said: "I’ve always loved sketching and drawing – I’ve done that for years – but I was amazed at how pleasurable it is to pick up a hammer and a chisel and start chiselling a bit of wood.
"It’s almost as if it triggers a bit of ancient DNA like we’ve always wanted to do this, it goes back to our ancestors."
He hopes that the show will encourage viewers to take up heritage crafts. He said: " I really hope people will watch the series and will want to make things because it’s immensely satisfying and you’re also continuing an old tradition, of which we have an immensely rich heritage in this country."
Bill Bailey's Master Crafters: The Next Generation will begin on Thursday 13 July at 8pm on Sky Arts.
