Is craftsmanship still alive?

Listening to Monty Don on 'BBC Radio4's 'Mid-Week this morning, on his latest passion to 'Rediscover the Lost Art of Craftsmanship', I was struck by how lucky I am to be surrounded by so many great examples of 'craftsmanship'.

'Hedge laying' has, in recent years, come back into favour, and is just so lovely to see; a true blend of stamina, strength and skill, with the end result of cut, twisted, laid and knotted hazel producing a breathtaking masterpiece.

So I was struck by the beauty and skill of this coppiced Chestnut 'post and rail' fencing. Seen throughout West Sussex, it manages to combine elegance with practicality; aging gracefully from it's freshly cut state of 'green' wood to this warm, silvery colour.

Craftsmanship takes years to master. It is an acquired skill, honed to produce an end product of exquiste natural beauty, with the illusion of simplicity.