WILLOWPOOL HAPPENINGS

Willow Workshop

2012-01-28T08:13:00.000-08:00

We have had another busy willow week working outdoors in the rain and wind suffering for our art with sore throats. Luckily we always travel with a couple of changes of outdoor gear so that we can continue working outside even when the toughest builders have retrated to their vans. We made a new domes at Dolphinholme (lovely name) C of E Primary school and Faith R C School in Liverpool. Next month we will creating a willow area with local volunteers and The National Wildflower Centre at a park in Everton. This is to make a cosy area for families to relax in.
On Wednesday we ran a willow workshop for Wigan Groundwork Trust. This was for local people to have a go at willow work and it was nice that we had 2 lots of father and sons as well as other students. We were relieved that this workshop was held indoors at a local sports centre.

Then it was 2 days at Bootle, Liverpool doing repairs to willow structures that we had built about 4 years ago. we reduced the height of one dome to make it easier for ongoing maintenance. The last day was dreadful - hail, torrential rain and dark, dark skies.

Willow in North Yorkshire

2012-01-23T12:27:00.000-08:00

Last week we worked at Sowerby Primary School, Thirsk. We were at the school for 4 days doing some living willow repairs and making a woven wishing tree for their new sensory garden.
The ground was frozen for 2 days so we needed to make planting holes with a hammer and stake. We repaired 3 tunnels and a dome that we had built with the children about 3 years ago. Then we made a snakey tunnel for the reception playground. All the children from reception planted a willow rod and tried out the finished tunnel.
The we moved indoors, working in the school hall to make a tree with the older children. We made the trunk and branches separately for assembly outside so that we were able to get the sculpture out of the school doors.

Of course it rained when we were outside putting the woven tree together!

more living willow projects

2011-12-10T06:56:00.000-08:00

The week we were working in the south of the country so managed to avoid all of the bad weather that our home county of Cumbria suffered.
we worked at Graveley Primary School near Stevenage for one day. the weather was sunny but cold and very windy. the children helped to create a large living willow dome and had great fun making the planting holes and selecting the willow. we stayed in a nice Travelodge nearby.

on thursday we started work at Tyssen Community Primary School in Hackney, London. we first met the school when a class came to the Countryside Live event in Lea Valley Park. the site was in the nursery garden in a tight space so we designed a lovely small dome with tunnels to fit in with the existing layout of the garden. the ground was bone hard and required a hammer and bar to make planting holes. the children got involved by helping to plant the willow rods. because of the hard dry ground the children will have great fun watering in the newly planted play structure.
simone made stars for each child as christmas presents.

Willow Maze Project, South Bank Primary School, Middlesbrough

2011-12-02T05:19:00.000-08:00

we spent 4 days in Middlesbrough building a willow maze with the children of the school. the school wanted an area that would be fun for the kids to play in and also would provide a sheltered and relaxing space for outdoor lessons. the school field is big with no shelter from the wind and the sea is pretty close so it can be very cold and draughty. we were lucky and didn't have any rain but the wind was very strong.

the design we came up with was a large dome with an encircling willow tunnel to provide quiet internal area. we made a lot of entrances and exits so that it would be fun to play in. all of the kids loved the design.

willow project ulverston

2011-11-23T00:16:00.000-08:00

we are building a willow play area at croftlands junior school

Hothersall Lodge Outdoors Centre, nr Preston

2011-11-21T10:08:00.000-08:00

We worked with children from a local primary school to make a large willow den at Hothersall http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/corporate/web/?siteid=3953&pageid=16864. The weather was unseasonally warm and the children were able to use the centre's new climbing wall as well as help to weave a willow structure. a great time was had by all.

First Living Willow Project of the season, Dent C of E Primary

2011-11-15T09:41:00.000-08:00

Today we finished our first living willow project of the 2011/12 season. We worked with the children of Dent C of E Primary School to create a Living Willow Dome and Tunnel, known as a Twigloo! Luckily the weather was kind to us so there was no rain and the ground was soft but not muddy. We worked with all of the children in the school (there are under 40 children in total) in rotation to dig and plant and then weave the structure. Great fun was had by all!

Countryside Live at Lea Valley 2011

2011-09-26T06:23:00.000-07:00

We had a great 4 days at Lea Valley Park with Countryside Live. The schools that came were very enthusiastic. we worked with quite a number of the school groups and hope to work with some of the schools this winter building living willow structures. The Family Days at the weekend were really well attended with a great diversity of people from different cultures getting involved in willow weaving with us. We will be running kids willow weaving again this weekend at Sizergh Castle, Kendal at a woodland event. its very close to home so we don't need to camp this weekend!

Willowpool Designs School Projects

2011-08-18T03:12:00.000-07:00

here is a link to our schools page https://sites.google.com/site/willowpoolworkshops/willowpool-workshops?pli=1

Last School Workshops Summer 2011

2011-07-28T07:29:00.000-07:00

We have just finished the last of our school workshops that we managed to squeeze in before and after the Tatton Park RHS Garden Show. We worked at the Lakes School and created some fencing and structures for their quadrangle garden. Then we worked at Lum Head Primary in Gateley to make a dome and a woven Wishing Tree. Then it was off to Yorkshire for a day to make a huge Cross for a school Faith Garden.

Now we are taking bookings for the next Living Willow Season that starts in the winter.

Living Willow

2011-05-03T15:17:00.000-07:00

the living willow season is now over until next autumn but what a great time was had by all the children who helped to plant willow dens throughout the country. we are already taking bookings for next season!

Twitpic / willowpool

2011-04-06T11:36:00.000-07:00

here are some more of our willow pictures Twitpic / willowpool

wishing tree

2011-03-19T13:15:00.001-07:00

wishing tree, originally uploaded by willowpool.

these woven willow trees are quite popular with schools at the moment. we are taking bookings for school arts days held in the summer term when schools can create a variety of willow sculptures for display indoors or in environmental areas outside.

LIVING WILLOW DOME WEEKEND

2011-03-14T14:36:00.001-07:00

LIVING WILLOW DOME WEEKEND.pdf3, originally uploaded by willowpool.

here is the poster for the willow weekend that we ran in Liverpool at the weekend. we worked with some members of the local community to make the structures. the weather was kind and was warm and sunny on Sunday.

old picture of steve at grizedale

2011-03-12T10:19:00.001-08:00

old picture of steve at grizedale, originally uploaded by willowpool.

here's an old picture of Steve demonstrating willow weaving at Grizedale Forest.

willow-dome-9.jpg (JPEG Image, 600x399 pixels)

2011-03-10T14:17:00.001-08:00

willow-dome-9.jpg (JPEG Image, 600x399 pixels)

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Living Willow Projects

2011-02-27T12:29:00.001-08:00

We have been working in our willow beds all weekend, coppicing and planting. Felled some of the roadside trees that were threatening to shade out some of the willows. So now we have some good ash logs for thr woodburner. We are building a willow dome with a primary school at Lytham St Annes on Tuesday. Still have some dates available for spring projects!

LIVING WILLOW MAINTENANCE

2011-02-06T13:53:00.000-08:00

have finally got the Maintenance guide scanned in and uploaded to its own website. I had to do this because Sefton Council have taken down their willow website. we expected it to happen some time as the Sefton Living Shade Project actually finished years ago! As i wrote the text for the website i have no concerns about reposting it on my own site.
its a good idea for schools to print out each page, laminate it and keep it handy in the staffroom. then there are no excuses for not maintaining the willow structures.
here's the link https://sites.google.com/site/willowmaintenance/home

Beatrix Potter Garden, Windermere

2011-02-02T12:19:00.000-08:00

we have been working in Peter Rabbits garden today. its been cold and very wet all day and we have been renewing the willow fencing in readiness for the re-opening of the place and 5th February. apparently the Chinese and Japanese go wild for Beatrix Potter and flock here! all of the signs are in English and Japanese!

we have spent an uncomfortable day on our bums crawling around the garden weaving willow hurdles. the finished result looks pretty good. worth a visit if you have small children.

Canonbie Primary School

2011-01-31T12:50:00.000-08:00

we spent a nice day at Canonbie Primary School working with all of the children there to build a living willow tunnel. it was nice to be back in Canonbie as Steve used to live there at Woodslee Cottage near the Willowpool on the River Esk. In fact this is how Willowpool Baskets, later Willowpool Designs got its name. Steve built one of the first Living Willow Tunnels in Scotland on the riverbank beside the river many years ago for Dumfries and Galloway Arts Association. Sadly it was cut down a few years ago but teachers at the school and some of the older pupils remembered the tunnel being there until quite recently.

the new tunnel was built in the school playing field and each pupil planted a willow rod!

Willow weaving in february

2011-01-25T10:13:00.001-08:00

We are in holiday in tenerife for a few days looking for sun but will be starting work again on monday. We still have a few dates for living willow projects

Town green garden

2011-01-14T06:11:00.001-08:00

Just finishing a tunnel to shelter a carved owl. Sun is shining this afternoon but the site is very soggy. Lots of compliments from passersby

town green garden, ashton in makerfield

2011-01-13T05:44:00.001-08:00

Day 3 at the gaden, working on a large entrance arch. Horrible wet day but at least it's not cold

Town Green, Ashton in Makerfield,Lancashire

2011-01-11T03:50:00.001-08:00

Weaving a willow arch for the RHS award winning garden

Whitehaven In Bloom

2011-01-10T04:17:00.000-08:00

Here is a project that we worked on about 7 years ago for Whitehaven in Bloom. our remit was to work with local schools to create sculptures reflecting the maritime heritage of the town. These sculptures were then installed on roundabout throughout the town. Seem to remember that the town was awarded a Silver Gilt Medal

WILLOW and CLAY

2011-01-10T03:51:00.000-08:00

Here is a project that we did a few years ago at Acorn Bank near Penrith. the idea was to make a structure using natural resources working with a group of local schoolchildren. we made a basic willow structure, covered it with leaves and then coated it with clay

2011-01-09T11:05:00.001-08:00

Weaving in the snow again at a nursery school in liverpool on friday. Snow had gone by the afternoon

2010-12-14T03:16:00.001-08:00

We are in stockport today repairing a huge willow dome that has been neglected for a few years. Quite a workout pulling in the thick willow rods. Is looking much better now

2010-12-13T06:53:00.001-08:00

Just finishing off the last dome for groundwork trust in leigh, lancashire.

2010-12-13T01:39:00.001-08:00

The snow has all but disappeared now and we are finishing off our project at sandersons croft, leigh. We have a small dome to build today

2010-12-11T11:04:00.001-08:00

We have been working in the snow this week

Willow Maintenance

2010-11-26T01:06:00.000-08:00

today we are running a willow maintenance day at Sunnyside Primary School, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough despite the snow. the idea is to show teaching staff how they can keep their willow structures in good condition and use some of the trimmings for classroom activities. we can also suggest plantings to complement the willow structures and remind staff that strimmers are the enemy of all trees, especially willow

Willow Structures for Nursery Classes

2010-11-24T12:35:00.000-08:00

we have been working at Pallister Park Primary School in Middlesbrough this week the weather is decidedly wet and soggy. we have been working with the children to make a 'willow village of domes and tunnel. when we arrived at the school we were pleasantly surprised to see leaflets from Middlesbrough Council that featured happy families playing in the living willow maze that we created at the city farm at Coulby Newham. we were so pleased to see that the maze had thrived and has good growth.

Living Willow Projects for November

2010-11-17T11:38:00.000-08:00

We have been busy building Living Willow Structures. At Merryhills Primary School, Enfield we spent a week working with the children to build their new 'Willow Walk'. The structure was based around a series of tunnels connected to a dome.
Last Saturday we spent a day at Bedford Modern School working with sixth formers making willow insect sculptures.

This week we have been working in Nursery Schools in Cheshire and Didsbury building tunnels and domes in newly created play areas.

Simone at Calthwaite School, Penrith

2010-10-28T08:57:00.000-07:00

The Living Willow Season is nearly upon us and we will be planting our first living willow structures in mid November. we have some free dates in March if any school wants to have a willow feature in their grounds

Royal Berkshire Show

2010-09-17T04:22:00.000-07:00

just getting ready to set off for the show. we will be running children's workshops throughout the weekend. The sun is shining at the moment!

Willow Shows

2010-09-10T04:08:00.000-07:00

We have had a very busy time demonstrating at shows. Yesterday we were at our local Westmorland Show where we won first prize for Best Rural Craft Display. It was great to be recognised in our own town. The weather was hot and sunny. Now it is wet and grey!

The picture is of a workshop we ran for IKEA at their Peterborough distribution centre last weekend.

We will be at Trentham Gardens this weekend making 2 willow deer for display this Christmas. Hopefully the weather will blow over and we will have more lovely sunny autumnal weather.the bottom picture is of our display yesterday.

willowpoolworkshops

2010-08-24T12:57:00.000-07:00

willowpoolworkshops

here is a list of our forthcoming willow weaving courses

ABOUT WILLOWPOOL DESIGNS - willowpoolworkshops

2010-08-24T12:55:00.000-07:00

ABOUT WILLOWPOOL DESIGNS - willowpoolworkshops

here is a new page Steve made

Forest of Marston Vale

2010-08-23T14:09:00.000-07:00

Forest of Marston Vale

and we will be here demonstrating willow weaving in early September

HeARTwood summer festival « The largest new native forest in England

2010-08-23T14:04:00.000-07:00

HeARTwood summer festival « The largest new native forest in England

Steve will be working with the public to create a giant willow PEAR sculpture to go in the orchard area. the sculpture will be about 6 feet tall.

nationalforest.org | Welcome to The National Forest

2010-08-10T02:22:00.000-07:00

nationalforest.org Welcome to The National Forest
we will demonstrating at the national forest event and running workshops for children

Southport Flower Show

2010-08-10T01:44:00.000-07:00

we will demonstrating here next weekend. After our amazing sucess at Tatton Park RHS Flower Show where we were awarded a Commendation for our display we hope to make an even better display at Southport. see ya there! Southport Flower Show

Lee Valley Regional Park Authority - Countryside Live

2010-08-10T01:29:00.000-07:00

Lee Valley Regional Park Authority - Countryside Live we will be here running willow weaving taster sessions

Bravenet Photo Album Manager - Photos of WILLOWPOOL PICTURES

2010-07-28T06:05:00.000-07:00

heres one of our early collections of photos.

http://pub26.bravenet.com/photocenter/v2/#bn-photocenter-1-1-2203819423/

list of courses

2010-07-27T16:05:00.000-07:00

here is a link to our list of courses that we can offer
Main

willow bird hide at Talkin Tarn, nr Brampton, Cumbria

2010-07-27T15:32:00.000-07:00

willow weaving courses

2010-07-27T15:11:00.000-07:00

check out our list of forthcoming willow weaving courses

WILLOW WORKSHOPS

2010-07-27T15:01:00.000-07:00

Magical Willow Workshops 2010-2011

Steve Fuller & Simone Siegan of Willowpool Designs, run unique willow workshops in the Lake District & South Lakes. Willowpool Designs are based in Endmoor, which is a small village just outside of Kendal, Cumbria. Steve Fuller has been a basketmaker and willow weaver for over 30 years and Simone Siegan has been a willow weaver for over 14 years. Willowpool Designs often use local village halls for their workshops in Cumbria, usually in the Kendal area. Steve & Simone deliver and run workshops all over the country. Due to popular demand a selection of workshops for 2010-2011.

Workshops can also be organised for groups anywhere in the UK, for a minimum of 10 people. Our fee for workshops is only £65.00 per person, fee includes all materials & two willow artists & preparation costs. All workshops are suitable for complete beginners!

Magical Willow Deer November 20th 2010

A wonderful addition to Christmas, they look great decorated with red ribbons and white lights! Weave a small deer in a day and impress yourself!

Magical Angels for Christmas November 27th 2010

Create a small angel for a beautiful Xmas display, or make a few for presents. They look wonderful decorated with white lights, great eco alternative to an Xmas tree!

Magical Christmas Workshops November 28th 2010

Create willow stars and wreathes, willow Xmas trees. Have a lovely day making small willow items for the home or for presents

Magical Christmas Workshops December 11th 2010

Create willow stars and wreathes, willow Xmas trees. Have a lovely day making small willow items for the home or for presents

Living Willow Structures. January 9th 2011

Learn to create a living willow den or fedge. Perfect activity to get yourself through the long winter days!

Magical Hearts and Stars February 13th 2011

Join Steve & Simone in a workshop to create amazing hearts and stars. Create brilliant presents for yourself or for a valentine day gift with a difference!

Updates and more details can be found on our website www.willowpooldesigns.co.uk

Email us at livingwillow@hotmail.com phone number 015395 67056

07773161761/07919684337 cheques payable to: Willowpool Designs

9 Weston Houses Endmoor, Nr Kendal Cumbria LA8 0HA

Magical Willow Workshops 2010-2011

Steve Fuller & Simone Siegan of Willowpool Designs, run unique willow workshops in the Lake District & South Lakes. Willowpool Designs are based in Endmoor, which is a small village just outside of Kendal, Cumbria. Steve Fuller has been a basketmaker and willow weaver for over 30 years and Simone Siegan has been a willow weaver for over 14 years. Willowpool Designs often use local village halls for their workshops in Cumbria, usually in the Kendal area. Steve & Simone deliver and run workshops all over the country. Due to popular demand a selection of workshops for 2010-2011.

Workshops can also be organised for groups anywhere in the UK, for a minimum of 10 people. Our fee for workshops is only £65.00 per person, fee includes all materials & two willow artists & preparation costs. All workshops are suitable for complete beginners!

Magical Willow Deer November 20th 2010

A wonderful addition to Christmas, they look great decorated with red ribbons and white lights! Weave a small deer in a day and impress yourself!

Magical Angels for Christmas November 27th 2010

Create a small angel for a beautiful Xmas display, or make a few for presents. They look wonderful decorated with white lights, great eco alternative to an Xmas tree!

Magical Christmas Workshops November 28th 2010

Create willow stars and wreathes, willow Xmas trees. Have a lovely day making small willow items for the home or for presents

Magical Christmas Workshops December 11th 2010

Create willow stars and wreathes, willow Xmas trees. Have a lovely day making small willow items for the home or for presents

Living Willow Structures. January 9th 2011

Learn to create a living willow den or fedge. Perfect activity to get yourself through the long winter days!

Magical Hearts and Stars February 13th 2011

Join Steve & Simone in a workshop to create amazing hearts and stars. Create brilliant presents for yourself or for a valentine day gift with a difference!

Updates and more details can be found on our website www.willowpooldesigns.co.uk

Email us at livingwillow@hotmail.com phone number 015395 67056

07773161761/07919684337 cheques payable to: Willowpool Designs

9 Weston Houses Endmoor, Nr Kendal Cumbria LA8 0HA

WILLOW WEAVING WORKSHOPS

2010-07-19T12:04:00.000-07:00

Here is a collage of some of the workshops that we have held over the years. We are going to organise some more workshops for this autumn/winter and will be advertising them at Tatton Park RHS Show.

Real Garden

2010-07-19T03:17:00.000-07:00

Here is a real garden at Sandsend near Runswick Bay just in case the gardens at Tatton Park make people feel inadequate after viewing all that perfection. If you do visit Sandsend have a look at the willow spiling that is supporting the riverbank.

Tatton Park RHS Show

2010-07-19T03:09:00.000-07:00

The show starts on Wednesday and we are just hoping for good weather, although we desperately need rain in Cumbria as we are suffering a hosepipe ban at the moment. It rained a lot on Sunday and looks like doing the same today. We will be loading all of our willow stuff into the van and car today, dodging the rain and getting ready to finish setting up our stand. Hope that the gazebo is still standing and that the tent that we pitched on the campsite has not collapsed or been raided by kids.
We will be demonstration willow scupture (animals and birds) and Steve will be making some baskets.
The picture is of our display at Tullie House Museum Open Gardens event, not even a month ago but the weather was lovely, bright and sunny.
Anyone coming to Tatton be sure to bring wellies, raincoat and plenty of food as the food prices at the show are quite expensive. There is a lot to see, there seems to be a big emphasis on vegetables and herbs this year from what we have noticed from walking through the showground to our stand.

willow sculpture

2010-07-17T15:01:00.000-07:00

we have had a busy week so far. we were at Bydales School, Marske for 4 days working with students to create a small herd of deer for the school's outdoor classroom. we stayed on a campsite at Redcar which was a bad move as the site was very exposed and the wind was so stong that we were worried that the tent would rip apart in the night. but we did visit some fantastic places after school. we had a great bar meal at Sandsend which is a fantastic place with a lovely coastal valley with lovely cottages with flower-filled gardens. after a sitting in the sun having a beer we travelled on the Runswick Bay which is a fantastic small fishing village near to Saltburn. Saltburn used to be our favourite place in the Middlesborough area but now we are spoilt for choice.
Today we started setting up our stand at Tatton Park RHS Flower Show and al;so installed a willow arch in a back-to-back garden designed by Bridge College, Stockport.

The weather looks pretty grim for the show but we have our fingers crossed.

school sculpture project

2010-07-07T14:32:00.000-07:00

here is a picture from one of our recent willow sculpture days at Hawkshead Primary School

School Art Projects

2010-07-04T05:40:00.000-07:00

We have had a busy week with school art projects starting at Chapel Stile where we made a deer and a gruffalo. Next we spent a day at a nursery school in Stockport where all the nursery and reception children made willow fish and helped me to make a deer! On Friday we were at a Primary school in Morcambe where we took part in a mini Glastonbury type festival organised by the school - there was lots of music from groups of former pupils, dance workshops, kitemaking, face painting, our willow weaving and singing workshops. The weather was very hot and summery and it was great fun.
We stayed in Liverpool on Friday night and went to see Jackson Browne in concert. Fantastic!
Saturday saw us at a Woodland Open Day in Huyton, Liverpool where we ran willow workshops.

Today we are at home enjoying the much needed rain. hope it lasts all day as our newly planted willows need plenty of water.

Willow Gruffalo

2010-07-01T10:04:00.000-07:00

here is a Gruffalo that we made at Chapel Stile Primary School yesterday. All of the children were involved in the creation and he know lives in the Forest School area

Willow Unicorns at Capel Manor

2010-06-08T09:22:00.000-07:00

2 weeks ago we were at Capel Manor College, Enfield to repair some neglected willow unicorns. We were not the original creators but have been carrying out running repairs for the last couple of years.

We also checked out our living willow dome that we built earlier this year. the dome is growing beautifully and we are very pleased with it.

RHS Show Tatton Park | RHS Gardening

2010-05-22T02:17:00.001-07:00

RHS Show Tatton Park | RHS Gardening

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Video - Alchemy Festival - 17th to 19th Sept 2010

2010-05-22T01:56:00.001-07:00

Video - Alchemy Festival - 17th to 19th Sept 2010

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Living Willow

2010-04-23T03:28:00.000-07:00

The Living Willow season has finally come to a close now. Anything planted later than now will need a lot of loving attention to coax growth out of the willow rods due to the lack of rain.
Any willow projects that have been carried out this spring will need lots of watering as we have not had any April showers this year. Children love the task of watering so it should be no problem in schools.
We have now started working on 3d sculptures for Arts Days and Eco Days in schools and yesterday built a giant sun at Croft Primary School near Warrington.

HECTIC LIVING WILLOW WEEK

2010-04-18T12:02:00.000-07:00

we have had a very busy week trying to get all of our living willow projects completed before Simone has her foot operation on Friday. We have been all over the country using our trusty Skoda Felicia as the van is still off the road waiting for a new engine. We have carried out 2 projects for Groundwork Trust, a willow dome in a primary school in Hyde, living willow fencing at Ashton-In-Makerfield and a willow project at a primary school in Ulverston, Cumbria.
On Saturday morning we ran a willow weaving workshop for the Woodland Trust in Whitehaven where children wove willow leaves and spheres to hang in the wood.
Today we were back in Middlesborough working on the maze project at the farm in Coulby Newham. The maze is taking a lot of willow and its hard work making planting holes in the heavy clay field.

Then it was a quick trip to our new willow beds to do some pruning and check to see if the newly planted cuttings were budding. They were!!

Learning Outside the Classroom - Introduction

2010-04-09T05:09:00.001-07:00

Learning Outside the Classroom - Introduction

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love-school-grounds.pdf (application/pdf Object)

2010-04-09T04:42:00.001-07:00

love-school-grounds.pdf (application/pdf Object)

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SUMMER SHOWS

2010-04-05T12:26:00.000-07:00

we are just starting to think about the various shows that we will be attending over the summer.
we are demonstrating at the spring event at Capel Manor, Enfield on Saturday and Sunday and will be making some willow pigs and carrying out repairs to the unicorns in the grounds

WILLOW MAZE IN SNOW

2010-04-04T15:56:00.000-07:00

A maze in the snow

Welcome Page

2010-04-04T14:54:00.001-07:00

Welcome Page
the link is the Martin Cockerhams Spirogyra website. Martin is one of the great english singer songwriters who has been overlooked in recent years. Spirogyra will be performing in London later this year. It will be a fantastic evening. Go to Martin's website and buy his albums because they are brilliant!!
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Middlesbrough Council : Newham Grange Country Farm: Newham Grange Country Farm

2010-04-04T03:49:00.001-07:00

we are starting work on a huge living willow maze here this Easter come snow, hail or gales. We were the first willow weavers to make mazes out of living willow but now everyone seems to be getting in on the act! Some folks are even saying on their websites they they are getting gardening awards for their work. just wish that we could get some credit for helping to popularise all this willow stuff. people are even copying bitsof our blurb and text to put on their websites.

So here is Steve's Easter Message to other willow weavers 'Get Some Ideas of Your Own'

Middlesbrough Council : Newham Grange Country Farm: Newham Grange Country Farm

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LIVING WILLOW VILLAGE

2010-04-01T09:58:00.000-07:00

this week we were at Sunnyside School, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough creating a 'willow village' of 3 different sized domes connected by tunnels. This was part of the school grounds improvement organisewd by Groundwork Trust, Middlesborough. Despite the weather being appallingly wet and soggy the children helped to plant and weave the willow.

Tomorrow we are at IKEA, Bristol running some Easter willow workshops in the store, so at least we won't have to wear out waterproof outdoor gear and get muddy boots!

Carlisle Girl Guides

2010-03-23T13:28:00.000-07:00

On Saturday we worked with Guides from the Carlisle area as part of their centenary celebrations. The girls made willow baskets and fish to take home and helped to make a large trefoil sculture which will be displayed in Tullie House museum later in the year.

Willow In Preston

2010-03-23T13:20:00.000-07:00

We have spent the last 2 days at Lostock Hall Community Primary School, Preston where we worked with the children to create a living willow dome and three willow arches. The weather was very different from last week - cold, wet and windy. Despite the weather the children enjoyed being outside and working with natural materials.

Living Willow Season

2010-03-20T03:41:00.000-07:00

We continue to have a very busy living willow season - visiting schools, planting our withy beds and harvesting willow rods.
The weather has been very springlike this week and children have been coming out to help make the domes and tunnels without the need for winter coats and waterproofs.
Steve worked at Greenbanks Primary School in Liverpool on Monday where he built a tunnel in an established garden area in the nursery playgound. The tunnel was over a path through lavender bushes and should look and smell great in the summer. The nursery children were involved in the project and each child planted a willow rod. They have also been given the task of watering the tunnel to ensure good rooting of the willows.
Steve also had 2 days at a nursery garden in Poynton, Cheshire where PlaySound www.playsoundplaygrounds.co.uk had built a new play area. Steve built a lage willow tunnel over three new benches.
We also strated a project at Aldereman Leach Primary School, Darlington where we are building a storytelling area in the form of a willow enclosure.
Work was started on a Groundworks Trust project at Sunnyside Primary School, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough where we are creating a 'willow village' of several willow domes linked by tunnels.
Today we are working with the Girl Guides at Carlisle to weave a giant trefoil that will be displayed at Tullie House Museum, Carlisle as part of a celebration of The Girl Guides

Welcome to Capel Manor Gardens

2010-03-14T03:20:00.001-07:00

Welcome to Capel Manor Gardens

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Busy Willow Week

2010-03-13T02:15:00.001-08:00

we have had another busy week. Monday and Tuesday saw us at St Lawrence's Primary School, Molesey near Hampton Court. We built a large twigloo with tunnel and an arch entrance to part of their new eco area. The school already has some nice outdoor features such as a gazebo and recycled plastic benches and they will soon be adding a picket fence and fruit trees.
On Wednesday and Thursday we were at a local school here in Cumbria at the village of Holme. The children enjoyed helping to construct a twigloo, especially making the planting holes. It was great to work locally and be able to get to our new willow beds to plant more cuttings in the early evening. The willow beds are looking great now with some more of the roadside trees cut down to let more light in. Last years plantings have about 6 foot of growth so have done really well with no signs of deer or rabbit damage, which is a relief as the beds are in a very rural location.
On Friday Steve went to Holy Cross Catholic Primary in Liverpool city centre. This is a lovely small school tucked away beneath John Moore's University and has very little green space. Willow is being planted to try to transform the area. The children from the nursery helped Steve to build a small lving willow den and enjoyed filling the planting holes with compost

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WILLOW IN THE SNOW

2010-03-06T09:53:00.000-08:00

we have been busy working in schools all over the uk again. On Monday and Tuesday we were at Mayfield Primary School near Edinburgh. We could see Arthurs Seat and the Castle clearly from the school field. The weather was fine but there was snow on the ground and the soil was frozen. It was a job for a marquee stake and sledgehammer with the children helping by planting the willow rods in the holes. compost will be packed into the planting holes.
From Scotland we went to Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Liverpool and Legh Vale Primary School, Haydock to finish off projects and then on Thursday and Friday we were in sunny Whitehaven at Bransty Primary School to make a dome and tunnel. The weather was bright and warm in the sun and it was a pleasure to drive through from Kendal to Whitehaven enjoying the views of the lakes and mountains.
Today we went to Southport to try and get some potted willows from a wholesale tree nursery, unfortunately we were about 20 minutes after the listed closing time and the man there took great delight in telling us that we were too late and that he was going home. we won't ever be buying plants from him!!
we spent a bit of time on our new willow beds getting ready for planting, laying down mulch and clearing brash.

Countryside Live - country fair for schoolchildren

2010-02-28T03:32:00.001-08:00

Countryside Live - country fair for schoolchildren

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WILLOW DOMES IN SCHOOLS

2010-02-26T10:57:00.000-08:00

we have had a very busy week this week slipping about in mud and snow and getting very cold and wet. We worked at three schools this week and of course this is when we needed 2 vehicles and the Skoda decides to pack up!
We made 2 domes and tunnels at St Mary's C of E Primary in Dalton In Furness. Every child in the school was involved in the constructions.
We made a dome in the nursery garden at Legh Vale Primary School, Haydock with year 4 children helping with the construction.

And we made another dome at Sacred Heart RC Primary in Liverpool with the help of very small assistants.

Capel Manor Gardens

2010-02-22T11:44:00.000-08:00

We worked at Capel Manor Gardens, Enfield at the weekend. The gardens don't open to the public until March so it was great to be able to have the run of them whilst we were working there.
On Saturday we ran a willow weaving course for members of the Worshipful Company of Gardeners and Capel Manor staff. After a slide presentation about willow growing, weaving and planting we made plant supports for the garden. All students managed to create a unique plant support and enjoyed the tour of the garden to see the willow features (huge arch, osier bed, hurdles and unicorns).
We were able to work outside for the best part of Saturday at the weather was bright and sunny.
Simone and I returned to the garden on Sunday to build a Living Willow Dome in the Education Garden that was created last summer. As a complete contrast the weather was cold and wet on Sunday.

Living Willow Nationwide

2010-02-16T12:46:00.000-08:00

We have been working every day this month making up for the lost time when the snow stopped us getting on with projects. Last week we were in the Newbury area. Our friend Peter Shelton the head at Lambourn Cof E Primary organised for us to go down to his school for 3 days and also to work on a family project for WOW family outreach centre at Hungerford. Before beginning work at Lambourn we spent one day working with the children at Cheam Prepatory School. Despite the cold and snow showers we built a willow tunnel to go wth their already established maze and dome.
Lambourn School was a nice friendly place and the children were keen to work outside. We built a dome and some nice living willow fencing. This was the start of an eco area for the school which will later also have a pond and a copse.

The WOW Project is based at The John O'Gaunt School in Hungerford. They have a nice secluded garden where we built a dome and tunnel.

Living Willow Weaving Projects

2010-02-04T12:21:00.000-08:00

We have been working in schools in Morcambe, Marsk and Brotton this week. At Brotton we added a willow tunnel to the dome that we built a couple of weeks ago. We had to scrape the snow away to start making out the tunnel.
At Marsk we spent a day at Bydales Technology College building an arbour in the newly created garden, other students were planting fruit trees whils we were engaged on the willow work.
We made a massive living willow dome at Great Wood Primary School where we worked with all of the children in the school.
We have been lucky with the weather and have not been rained or snowed on this week!

During this cold snap we have been burning our scrap willow in our woodstove and saving on the central heating.

2010-02-02T13:00:00.001-08:00

Here is a picture of one of our living willow tunnels created last season. There is still time to book us for march and april.

LIVING WILLOW SCHOOL PROJECTS

2010-01-30T12:16:00.000-08:00

we are now in the busy period for living willow sculpture. this week we have worked with children to make living willow domes and tunnels at Sessay C of E Primary School, Thirsk, Calverley Cof E Primary School, Pudsey and Chapel Stile C of E Primary School in Langdale,Cumbria.

The weather has been kind to us this week and today we cut more willow rods for our projects next week.

WILLOW HEARTS and STARS WORKSHOP

2010-01-17T01:21:00.000-08:00

We are planning to run a workshop on making Simone's unique hearts and stars in time for Valentines Day. Simone was the originator of the woven willow hearts and stars now seen in glossy gardening and countryside magazines and on other peoples websites. From what we have seen other 'willow weavers' offering for these workshops their creations are pretty poor imitations of Simone's original designs.
As Cumbria's longest established willow weavers we have decided to begin running workshops in the Carlisle and Kendal area due to popular demand from people meeing us at the local events that we display at.

The dates and venues are still to be decided but if anyone is interested please email us.

SNOW AGAIN

2010-01-15T03:42:00.000-08:00

Despite the bad weather we have been able to carry out some Living Willow work this week. We repaired 3 ten year old arbours that we had built as part of Sefton Living Shade all those years ago. The arbours had not been looked after properly and required some severe pruning to get them back into shape. This was at Hudson Primary School in Maghul, nr Liverpool and the day was cold and snowy!
The second job was at St Gregory's Catholic Primary School, Lidiate nr Liverpool. We made a willow dome with help from the pupils in years 4, 5 & 6. We had to scrape the snow away from the site on the school field but it was a much milder, thawing day and the sun even appeared just as we were completing the dome. The staff and pupils were very happy with their new outdoor 'classroom' and have already recommended us to a couple of other schools in the area.

We still have some free dates in March and early April if any schools are considering have some living willow work.

Willow in the Snow

2010-01-07T04:37:00.000-08:00

The continued arctic weather means that we are unable to start any of our willow projects at schools. Most schools are closed at the moment and anyway the ground is frozen and covered with snow.
However we have struggled out to cut willow in readiness for the thaw. The only problem is that we have had to leave the rods standing up in the willow bed because we can't get the van anywhere near to load up! We have had to stand the bundles up because otherwise the rabbits will chew all the bark off the rods!

New Decade of Willow

2010-01-03T10:05:00.000-08:00

We have managed to get back in to work mode this weekend. The lanes are still packed with ice but we were able to get to our friend Barry's garden in Carlisle on Saturday to do the annual willow harvest from his garden. It was really peaceful cutting willow in a quiet garden with the snow crunching underfoot.

Today we went to Staveley C of E School near Kendal to finish a repair job on a neglected willow dome. The school is in a great setting with good views of the snow covered Cumbrian fells. The pictures are of before and after repair work.

Surestart Project, Liverpool

2009-12-17T09:09:00.000-08:00

Today we have been making living willow structures at Belle Vale Surestart Centre in Liverpool. The children are all very excited about Christmas so Simone made them each a willow star to take home and we sang some Christmas songs.

Basketmakers Association

2009-12-15T09:58:00.000-08:00

Just got the new Basketmakers Association Newsletter. We were pleased to see that there was a report about the RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park this summer. The BA had a stand there with basketmaking demonstrations and we had a large outdoor display with animal sculptures, baskets and a large willow dome. During the show Simone met several of the contributors to the BA stand when they came to examine our work.
However the person who wrote the report for the BA must have missed seeing us as the report has no mention of Willowpool Designs, the North West's longest established full-time willow weavers. We have exhibited at Tatton Park, Chelsea, Hampton Court, Somerset Willow Fair and the Southport Flower Show over the years but we never get a mention in the Basketmakers Association's Newsletter. We are members of the Basketmakers Association.
Over the years we have taught hundreds of keen willow students, some of them Basketmakers Association members but never manage to get reported in the newsletter.
Guess that living in rural Cumbria is just too far from where its at in willow weaving circles and we are too busy trying to make a living from our craft to get involved in commitees etc.

It would just be nice for someone to spot us and notice that we are doing our bit for willow.

Small Living Willow Dome, Liverpool

2009-12-15T09:12:00.000-08:00

We have just finished a 2 day project at the nursery garden St Cleopas C of E, Dingle, Liverpool. We made a small living willow dome and 2 tunnels over an existing path.

Latticework Living Willow Fence

2009-12-14T09:44:00.000-08:00

Here is a picture of a living willow fence that we saw when we visited Brittany in October. Its interesting to see that lichen is growing on the lower parts of the willow rods. I've always understood that good lichen growth means unpolluted air and plenty of moisture. We get both these in Cumbria!

2009-12-13T04:57:00.000-08:00

We worked at St Gregorys Catholic Primary School in Workington on Thursday and Friday. The traffic getting into and out of Workington is dreadful as the floods wiped out road connections between north and south Workington. Luckily the school was on the correct side of the river for us. We made these deer, a giant sun, fishes and birds with the children. We managed to see the whole school over the 2 days!

Willow Tunnel

2009-12-08T11:40:00.000-08:00

Here is a living willow tunnel that we created at the new library in Howden, Newcastle. We built it as an entrance to a storytelling area.

Woodland Animals and Willow Cutting

2009-11-29T10:58:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we delivered the woodland creatures to Woodland Trust's newest wood Heartwood, near St Albans. There was the first tree-planting event happening at the wood and there were local dignitaries and volunteers attending. We chatted with the Mayor of St Albans and listened to the speech by the director of The Woodland Trust. The speech was very inspiring and reminded us that we have planted many thousands of willow trees during the life of Willowpool Designs.

The willow animals will be treated with linseed oil and then installed around a woodland trail at Heartwood.

Today Ryan and I had to harvest willow in the wind and rain in readiness for our jobs in Liverpool, Newcastle and Chorley. We cut and bundled about 800 giant willow rods in about 2 hours.

Living Willow Maze, Whale Hill Primary School

2009-11-24T14:55:00.000-08:00

We have nearly finished the maze at Whale Hill. Amazingly we have not been rained on at all during the construction of the maze despite grey skies every day and very strong winds. We only saw rain when we drove back to Cumbria tonight when it was very wet.

We have one more day at Whale Hill in December when we will plant some different willow varieties in the maze and generally tidy up. Mazes are probably the most physically challenging living willow sculptures to make as there are so many planting holes to make even with the children helping.

Willow Badger

2009-11-22T08:01:00.000-08:00

despite suffering from the flu we have had to continue making the woodland creatures for the Woodland Trust to be installed at their new Heartwood in Hertfordshire. Steve has been working on an owl and a squirrel. Its very hard to weave a good likeness. Simone has been working on Broc the Badger and its looking very good. We are having to work in our conservatory and the rain is pounding on the glass but we are happy listening to Waulk Electric on our minidisc player.

Whale Hill Primary School, Willow Maze

2009-11-20T13:42:00.000-08:00

We have been working at Whale Hill, near Middlesborough this week. We avoided the rain and floods of Cumbria and stayed in Saltburn-by-the-sea. The weather was very windy and overcast but not the torrential rain of Cumbria. We worked with years 5 & 6 to start marking out the maze. Despite suffering from flu we struggled on all week and ewven visited the seaside at Redcar. We will have to spend the weekend recovering in bed drinking honey and lemon and sucking throat sweets.

WILLOWPOOL BASKETS

2009-11-17T07:19:00.001-08:00

Here is an old price list that I found in an old pc that we used to use

WILLOW POOL BASKETS, STEVE FULLER BA HONS, 9 WESTON HOUSES, DOVE NEST LANE, ENDMOOR, NR KENDAL, CUMBRIA LA8 0HA

TEL. 015395-67056

Willow Pool Baskets began as 'Hedgerow Baskets' in 1979. Steve Fuller was initially taught by John Rome, a Cumbrian farmer who was a noted basketmaker who grew his own willow and specialised in fishing creels. Willow basketry has a strong tradition in the border regions of Cumbria and Dumfriesshire. John Rome was taught by his uncle, and local farms used to be supplied with 'swill baskets' [frame baskets for harvesting potatoes, feeding livestock etc] by itinerant craftsmen using willow and hazel from local woods and riverbanks. I aim to continue the tradition of sturdy, durable country baskets for a variety of uses and also will be offering some baskets made of recycled contemporary material.I am also interested in using living willow for environmental sculpture such as tunnels and mazes, and can advise or assist on living history/countryside/environmental projects. I welcome enquiries for repair and restoration/reconstruction work. I can also advise on willow cultivation and obtain cuttings for planting.

Demonstrations, workshops, talks etc can be arranged for schools, museums, art centres and countryside venues. Some of my past events have been at Tullie House [Carlisle], Durham Dales Centre [Stanhope], Bluecoat Display Centre [Liverpool], Carlisle Castle, Primervera (Cambridge),Althorp [Northhampton], Bede Museum [Jarrow], Woodland Event [East Cumbria Countryside Project], Tweeddale Museum [Peebles], Seatoller Barn [Keswick] and the Great North Forest (Tyne and Wear/Durham).

Traditional Log Baskets - 15" base, 15" high ..........£35.00

Low Log Baskets - 15" base, 12" high..........£30.00

Slender Log Baskets - 11" base, 15" high..........£30.00

Oval Washing Baskets - 12" by 18" base, 9" high..........£32.00

Round Linen Baskets - 14" base, 24" high (with lid) ..........£44.00

Willow Cradle - 30" by 16" base, 14" at head..........£50.00

Oblong Shopper - small, large..........£19.50, £22.00

Round Shopper - small, medium..........£15.00, £18.00

Oval Shopper - small, medium, large..........£15.00, £17.00, £20.00

Short base Oval Shopper - one size..........£17.00

Flower Basket (trug shape)..........£22.00

Apple Picker - 9" base, 5" high..........£22.00

Blackberry Basket - 8" by 5" base, 5" high..........£12.00

Egg Basket - 11" base, 4" high..........£17.00

* Please note that Carriage is extra.

LIVING WILLOW MAZE

2009-11-17T04:57:00.001-08:00

We are loading the van with willow for the Living Willow Maze at Eston, Middlesborough. The construction begin tomorrow morning with groups of year 6 children. They will be doing the initial digging to form the shape of the maze. Its nice an sunny here in Kendal at the moment after much torrential rain so now is the time to get the will loaded on the roof.

Our good news is that Simone passed her ‘Life In The UK’ test that she had to take in order to get a UK passport. This is despite having lived here for nearly 30 years, owning a house here, having 2 children educated to degree level here, paying taxes here and running a business here. Now we have to find nearly £1000 to actually get the passport.

Grange Primary School and Surestart, Bootle

2009-11-12T10:40:00.000-08:00

We are working at Grange Primary for 3 days this week. We have built a living willow tunnel in the Surestart Garden and are building a dome and a tunnel in the Reception garden.

We have worked at Grange on several projects over the years and the living willow domes in the main playground look fantastic. We built these domes about 6 years ago as part of the Sefton Living Shade Project. We returned 3 years ago to overhaul the domes and since then the site manager has done a great job of looking after them ie pruning and weaving in.

The weather was fine for the morning but began clouding over at lunchtime. We decided to go and cut some willow in Maghul after finishing at the school and by the time we had cut several bundles the heavens opened and there was a massive downpour. Luckily the rain had stooped when we got to Endmoor and had to unload the van.

Garston Primary School, Liverpool

2009-11-12T10:26:00.000-08:00

We worked with the Reception children at Garston on Monday. We built a living willow dome in the nursery area. The children were lovely, very chatty and interested in the construction of their dome. Simone made everyone a willow star to take home and a living willow heart to grow in the classroom.

We had been to this school in the spring and made a long lattice-work living willow fence. It looks great but there is no sign of growth. However we saw that the length of the fence had been treated with weedkiller and suspect that the weedkiller killed off the willow rods. We will return later this winter to do a repair job on the fence by planting new cuttings and leaving strict instructions that gardening contractors should keep away from the fence!

New Living Willow Season

2009-11-09T10:57:00.000-08:00

We worked at Bedford Modern School on Saturday. We helped 6th form students to design and create sculptures based on fruit and vegetables in the garden. There were some great sculptures made including a giant mushroom, an apple and an onion.
Today we were at Whale Hill Primary School, Eston nr Middlesborough. We had an introductory day with the children prior to making a large living willow maze. We took part in a special assembly to tell the children all about willow and how they can use their completed maze for both study and play. In the afternoon we marked out the maze in readiness for the children to do their digging and planting tasks next week.
Simone has decided to finally take the plunge and become a British citizen after nearly 30 years of being an American in Cumbria. This is much more complicated than we had thought and Simone has to take a 'Life in the UK' test! I can't answer many of the questions on the 'helpful' booklet supplied by HMSO. Many of the questions seem to be quite obscure. I was hoping that they would be along the lines of 'Why is Big Brother so Boring?, 'who is Dr Who?' etc.