Can you spare a minute to complete a UK Government Survey for the safeguarding of our intangible cultural heritage?

The UK government has, at last, confirmed its intention to ratify the 2003 UNESCO Convention on the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

At the beginning of 2023 the Trustees co-opted a team to investigate / review, the UK Governments intentions / support for the safeguarding of our heritage.

The craft of Dry Stone Walling has been included within intangible cultural heritage by ten of our European neighbours who have already signed the convention. The DSWA would like for the UK to follow suite and to be included moving forward.

This would be a major step to national recognition and protection of the skills and knowledge the Association and its members exists to support and develop.

We would like to ask you to complete the government’s brief online survey please. The survey can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/2003-unesco-convention-for-the-safeguarding-of-the-intangible-cultural-heritage/consultation-on-the-2003-unesco-convention-for-safeguarding-of-the-intangible-cultural-heritage

There is no ‘right or wrong’ way of completing this questionnaire but throughout, the emphasis should be on traditional craftsmanship (easy for us Wallers and Dykers). There are opportunities for you to say why Dry Stone Walling is such an important attribute of the UK’s intangible cultural heritage.

Further link that may be of interest: https://ich.unesco.org/en/what-is-intangible-heritage-00003

There will be other opportunities for us to contribute to this important and long-lasting development, and we look forward to being in touch with you in the months ahead.

This is our opportunity to promote Dry Stone Walling and get others to support us.

Thank you in anticipation.