Suffolk pargeter wins Royal approval for centuries-old craft

Johanna Welsh, from Bramfield, is one of only around five full-time pargeters in the country.

Ms Welsh won the 2022 President's Award for Endangered Crafts, winning a £3,000 bursary from Heritage Crafts, a charity that helps protect "endangered" activities.

The award was conferred at a presentation at the House of Lords on Monday, January 30.

Pargeting is an art that involves applying lime plasterwork or stucco relief work to a flat surface.

The craft is believed to have been introduced to England in the 16th century by Henry VIII, who imported Italian plasterers to decorate Nonsuch Palace.

The craft was referred to as ‘stucco’ in Italy, but became known as ‘pargeting’ in England.

Ms Welsh, the third generation of her family to practise the craft, is experienced in freehand modelling in lime plaster decorating the outside of houses often seen in East Anglia, associated with the Tudor and Elizabethan periods.

Ms Welsh said: “I am absolutely thrilled to have won such a prestigious award.

"The prize money will allow me to run small group workshops in a region rich with historic and modern examples of the craft, and provide huge scope to promote understanding and awareness.” 

Heritage Crafts Executive Director Daniel Carpenter added: “Many people know the former Prince of Wales as being a long-time supporter and champion of traditional craft skills, and his passion is all too evident through initiatives such as the Heritage Crafts President’s Award.

"Johanna is an immensely deserving winner and we know that in her hands the prize will provide a massive boost to the outlook of this endangered craft.” 

Heritage Crafts has a red list of endangered crafts, ranking traditional crafts by the likelihood they would survive the next generation.

Pargeting is categorised 'endangered', having sufficient craftspeople to be passed to the next generation but with "serious concerns" about their survival.