Suitable for: Beginners, improvers

Considerations: Outdoors based, physically demanding, sitting still for long periods

Refreshments: Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available throughout the day. We also have a fantastic on-site cafe, Embers, run by local chef Shropshire Lad.

The course:

Learn how to make a split hazel ‘swallow’s nest' basket - a mini version of the traditional ‘whisket’. Split Hazel Basketry is classified as critically endangered by the Heritage Crafts Association so you'll also be helping to keep these skills alive!

You will be shown all of the techniques to prepare and assemble the components for your basket, straight from rods of hazel, with a minimum of tools.

Tutor: Lewis Goldwater

Member of Heritage Crafts Association
Member of Basketmakers Association
Member of Association of Pole Lathe Turners and Green Woodworkers
Member of Countryside Management Association

"I became fascinated by green-woodworking techniques and the potential of coppiced woodland for manufacturing beautiful products, after visiting and seeing the work of a colleague at the fabulous Eccleshall Woods Sawmill in 2007.

8 years ago, I found out that the last remaining whisket maker in my area was elderly and no longer making them. I went to learn from Ruth Pybus, a basket maker in North Wales, with a similar story to tell of hazel baskets in her area.

I am delighted that many dozens of people have been on my training courses over the last few years, and that some have been inspired to carry on with the craft and are themselves sharing these skills more widely. I do not want to be the next “last” whisket maker in my area!"