The Course
Join us at our heritage craft centre, nestled into the diverse landscape of The Forest of Dean to learn basketry.
Be guided through the ancestral skill of basketry & creating a beautiful asymetric sturdy basket by our willow weaving specialist, Lin.
Lin has spent many years making and teaching willow crafts and is delighted to help more people learn this wonderful craft.
The course will explore explore the use of different varieties of willow and willow preparation. You will then learn how to make basket with a handle, suitable for foraging and harvesting other tasty delights.
This course is suitable for beginners and those who want to continue to hone their basketry skills with the support of a skilled craftsperson and is always a wonderful, relaxing and enjoyable day in great surroundings.
The Workshop
On the day of the workshop we invite to you arrive half an hour early so you can grab a cup of something warm, and get to know Kensley Sheds and The Rewild crew.
The workshop will start at 10:00 and Lin will guide you through the history of basketry, the uses of different willow varieties and help you to start you basket.
After a short comfort break and demonstration, you will continue to weave your berry baskets.
We will break for a wholesome lunch, with ingredients grown from our permaculture allotment (where possible) at 12:45pm. Our kitchen follows pay what you think it is worth principles (bring some cash).
After lunch you will continue to create your baskets with Lin’s specialist support. By the end of the day you will have achieved a stunning basket that will be ideal for foraging a range of delicious wild edibles.
At 4:30pm we will end our workshop and invite you to provide us with any feedback you may have, so we can continue to develop our courses to continue to inspire you in the future.
Please note that this workshop will be run outside so make sure to wear weather appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes.
The Venue
This course is set at our off-grid woodland craft centre, Kensley Sheds, right in the heart of the beautiful Forest of Dean, situated on the famous Sculpture Trail, close to the Stained Glass Window and Wildlife Trust reserve ‘Woorgreen Lake’.
Kensley Sheds is the home of our Social Forestry Project ‘New Leaf’. Here, local adults who are struggling with social issues come learn & practice new skills. We follow regenerative woodland management practices, to extract and process wood from disused Forestry England coppiced woodland. Here the wood is turned it into functional items, firewood and charcoal, giving people access to new careers and a sense of real community.
Kensley sheds has running water, a flushing disabled access toilet, onsite parking and is heated by wood-burner. You will be able to peruse our extensive library of eco / craft / alternative living books throughout the day
Booking