He who laughs last

thinks the slowest

What a blip master piece ... Somerset willow weaving, a most dangerous but addictive art form. Dangerous when you are sitting next to children trying it out for the first time, well those who have limited spacial awareness, with a long, bendy, but none the less painful stick to poke you with if they are not concentrating.

I normally have to assist in my Rainbow group (5-6 year olds) but today on my Guide residential I got to play weave aswell.

The internationally important area of the Somerset Levels and Moors are a rural idyll where traditional crafts still play a major role in West Country life. Willow is one such craft that the area is famed for. The low floodplain of the Somerset Levels has always been ideal for willow growing. Much easier to weave with the currently available green willow rather than in the summer when you have to soak it to make it pliable.

Willow has been found woven into prehistoric track ways and into baskets and hurdles on Iron Age and Roman sites in the region. In the 19th century thousands of acres of willows were planted on the Somerset Levels to meet the growing demand for baskets in Industrial Britain. Basket-making became an important trade in and around Taunton, Bridgwater and Street.

Today there are still many families who traditionally farm willows and basket-makers who weave shopping baskets, pigeon baskets, laundry hampers, cribs for babies and the occassional coffin. Willow growers continue to grade their willows by hand and now send bundles by courier to customers world-wide.

Modern sculptors create monumental willow statues, the most notable being The Willow Man on the M5 by Serena de la Hey. (I may blip one day - he has the occassional seagull in the head problems, but survives very well) River banks are still reinforced with woven living willows to stop erosion.

The girls would have spent all day on their creations had we had the time, after the initial 'I can't do this' s were over and done with, the hearts, and chicks, and even pigs they made were brilliant.

Right an interesting question I have been asked today to ponder on this evening. A real boost to the old ego, but at the same time something not to be taken lightly (no pay rise involved sadly) but doing what I love to do - even more of ????? a challenge - but at times a thankless task ..... hmmmmmm