Prince Charles tries to save forgotten art of wood carving after warning it could be lost for future generations The Prince’s genuine passion for heritage crafts makes him “uniquely qualified” for the patronage of the Grinling Gibbons Tercentenary 16 January 2021 • 6:00pm The Prince of Wales tries his hand at wood carving during his visit to a workshop in 2004 Credit: Getty Images The Prince of Wales has long championed traditional craftsmanship, warning it is among the “life-enhancing, timeless opportunities” that could be lost to future generations. And he fervently hopes that by becoming patron of the 300th anniversary celebration of Grinling Gibbons, the greatest wood carver in British history, he can help inject a new lease of life into a dwindling art.