For more than 40 years, Veronica Main has been rigorously researching the straw industries of the UK, Europe and the United States, unlocking historical information and learning how to recreate plaits using traditional techniques. She was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 2021 for Services to Straw Hat Plaiting and Endangered Crafts and works closely with UK charity Heritage Crafts to preserve traditional skills.