Traditional Fruit Picker

23rd October  -  10am - 4pm

24th October  -  10am - 4pm

This workshop is suitable for anyone, beginner or more experienced. Working to the pattern of a traditional fruit picking basket going back several centuries, you will have the opportunity to work with different varieties of willow, both stripped and with the bark on and also the option to learn the art and craft of the traditional English tied underfoot base.   For speedy students there may be time to make a second basket, a smaller, child’s traditional Norfolk fruit collecting basket dating back to the 1800s. This makes a really attractive worktop store for fruit or anything else - wooden spoons and spatulas perhaps.

• Selecting the willow
• Making the tied underfoot base
• Shaping the sides of the basket choosing from a variety of traditional English weaves
• Creating decorative and strong border
• Attaching and wrapping a handle

You will also have the opportunity to look through a variety of basketmaking books as well as looking at some vintage baskets.

Course Tutor: Cat Beaumont

After a 2-day basketmaking workshop in 1995, learning how to make a cherry picking basket,  Cat came away with a wobbly-bottomed basket.   She was delighted! She cadged a handful of willow to try some more at home and the ‘bug’ for willow basketmaking has not left her.

Cat met second generation basketmaker Jack West in Guildford in 1998 when he was 80 and still basketmaking 3-4 hours a day; She was fortunate to learn from him up until he died in 2005. Cat is continually enthused by the process of turning a bundle of sticks into a useful and beautiful vessel.