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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.
We have been invited to take part in the Herts. County Show this year in association with the Basketmakers Association and the Worshipful Company of Basketmakers. The Prime Warden of the Worshipful Company, Richard Walduck is also a key contributor to the show and he is very keen that as a local group within the County we should take an active part in the event.
We will be sharing one of two marquees provided by Richard Walduck with members from the Basketmakers Association. Many of us belong to both groups and it will be a great opportunity to meet up with fellow basketmakers and old friends.
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.
