How Craft and Football Both Celebrate Our National Heritage
Nothing seems to pull our nation together like an international sporting event, and football must be top of the list for all in engagement. Even for those of us who are not avid sports fans, we can’t help but be swept up in the football fever we see, hear and feel all around us. It’s excitement on overdrive! For those who play football regularly from Sunday league through to semi-pro, those who are retired and all devoted fans, the expectation for the Euros is rising. Watching any professional sport is inspiring; the skill, character and sheer hard work of the sportsmen and women are astounding to see, and the games are exciting to follow.
Sporting events also offer opportunities to bring local communities together. This is usually informally, as friends gather in clubhouses, pubs and individual homes to watch the game together. In a world where there seems to be increasing division and polarisation, it is hope-restoring indeed to see so many individuals gathered in one room, most of whom are cheering on the same team, commiserating the losses and celebrating the wins together with one voice. Total strangers become passing friends as they ride the roller coaster of emotions during the highs and lows of the game. The local economy is boosted as food and drink are consumed and merchandise purchased to join in the general merriment.
It is also a time when, all across Europe, national fervour and pride are let loose as flags are waved, bunting is strung across our high streets and our team’s football chant is pelted out at full volume. We know that there will be a lot of focus on the upcoming Euros in June, so are there ways crafters can jump aboard and make the most of the opportunities this tournament provides? We think there are. Here are a few of our ideas.
Flags will be purchased in abundance. Most will likely be mass-produced elsewhere, but to support an English, Scottish, Welsh or Irish team, it would be great to fly a flag made in these particular countries. If yours is a textile business, this could be a great theme for a set of products. Individually produced flags and bunting which will have a longevity that mass-produced ones will not, could be a win. Make sure you advertise your ethical, local and environmental credentials as well.
It is also a time for machine embroidery to take centre stage. Shirts, shorts and hoodies will also be bought in abundance each with a unique crest. You might consider branching out into caps, bucket hats, beanies and even baby clothes, while at the lower end of the price spectrum, scarves could be a good memento.
The Euros could also be a springboard for some flag-themed workshops. While much of our population will be gathering to watch the matches, there will be others who, while enjoying the general euphoria, are not football fans and won’t be viewing the games themselves. A free crafting workshop might just fill this space, especially if the participants can return home with a product sporting their national flag, or even a flag itself to wave. (Even if you run the workshop for free you can use it as an opportunity to sell your products). Whether you set up a free workshop to tie in with the Euros, or at another time this year, be sure to advertise well. For those in your locality asking “Where is a craft workshop near me?”, their first port of call will probably be an internet search. So, it is worth ensuring that your event is advertised online so that when they type in the words “craft workshop near me” they will come straight to you.
The Euros, and indeed any international sporting event, are a great opportunity to celebrate our nations; our food, our music and of course our art and craft. We Brits tend to be rather unassuming when it comes to our own culture, yet there is so much to celebrate. For instance, each region of the U.K. has its unique food from Cornish pasties and Yorkshire puddings to Neeps and Tatties and Welsh Rarebit. Not forgetting Irish Guinness, cider from Somerset and many regional ales. Out of our shared history, some dishes have become synonymous with our nation; fish and chips and steaming mugs of tea come to mind. Amid the shock of a bombed-out street in World War II, a pot of tea was always rustled up, and seaside holidays in the Victorian era gave rise to the popularity of fish and chips today.
Any crafter knows that each region of our wonderful nation has its distinct crafting history and its products which we enjoy today; willow weaving of Somerset, ceramics of Staffordshire and Fair Isle knitting to name but a few. Other crafts are found nationwide and have enjoyed a resurgence in recent decades, as we have delved into our past to explore and discover our roots. One example of a tradition that has enjoyed a resurgence in our nation is the art of bodging (otherwise known as woodturning), with bodgers’ clubs now being found all across Britain. If you type up a search “craft workshops near me” you too could have a go at the ancient craft of bodging and celebrate a historical craft which is so deeply connected with the land in which we dwell.
We have a rich and unique cultural heritage, with a fascinating history behind many of our ancient crafts. A surface glance may not reveal much which links football to crafting, but dig a little deeper and we find that football fans often share an appreciation of what is good in our country, region or city. At a time when life is challenging for many, it does us great good to celebrate (the mere act of shouting for our team can be cathartic in itself) and the football and other sporting events might just give us the excuse to do so! So, whether we are cheering for Team GB or our national team, let’s wave our locally and ethically made flags and shout for our team along with the best of them!