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During the meeting itself we got together in small groups to discuss ideas for group workshops and events. After lunch we had an informal workshop on cordage surrounded by wonderful materials, led by our outgoing chair Tricia Lilley, with Maggie Smith sharing with us some of her knowledge and skills about processing willow.
The AGM is now a whole day and gives us lots of time to catch up with each other after all the ‘business’ is done. After lunch we had a fabulous talk by Jill Ford who bought an amazing collection of baskets for us to look at and to talk to her about.
Having been approached while demonstrating at Hatfield Living Crafts, Hertfordshire Basketry made its first appearance in the Craft Marquee at "Folk by the Oak" on Sunday 27th July. The Willow Foundation was the nominated charity. It was founded by ex-Arsenal goalkeeper, Bob Wilson and his wife Megs, in memory of their daughter who died of cancer. It provides special days out for young people between the ages of 16 and 40, who are suffering from serious and life threatening illnesses.
Apart from publicising the group, we felt we would like to support the charity by making some small items available for a small donation. Our cane bangles and rush bracelets were well received and ultimately raised the sum of £100. We were delighted when Bob and Megs came to our stall to see what we had been doing and collected the cash in person. Bob could not resist the football-sized willow ball. He hugged it so enthusiastically it seemed only right that he take it home to put in his garden.
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| Members of the Group pictured with Bob and Megs (far right) |
Enthusiastic young member of the public learning how to make a twisted rush bracelet. |
It was "All Change" for 2008, the Show was on a new site away from Hatfield House in beautiful surroundings. Our Group had a stand in a marquee called "Art in Herts" along with other art groups, and hobby groups such as marquetry, sugarcraft, photography and spinning and weaving. Our project this year involving the public, were two willow balls that could be added to with more willow or brightly coloured cords. We made good progress with one of them and will be taking them both on to The Herts County Show at the end of May for further additions and embellishments. During the four days group members demonstrated a variety of basketry techniques including plaiting with cardboard, making rush stars and reindeer, plastic packing tape windmills, small willow garden structures and cane balls and baskets.
Last year we decided to give children (and adults) the chance to "have a go at basketry weaving". In advance of the show a willow frame was constructed and stabilised with rows of willow and cane. For the rest of the weaving we gathered together a variety of materials, much of it obtained from the scrap stores in Welwyn Garden City and Watford. People could choose from plastic packing tape, bubble wrap, yarns, textiles and bright shiny strips of gold, silver and bronze left over from packaging. The activity proved very popular and the frame was completed an hour before the show closed on the Sunday. Although we were unlucky with the weather (rain and more rain!) a good time was had by all. Below are pictures from last year's show.
