10am to 4pm

The course

A day for participants to happily indulge in making many small festive items including wreaths (to take home and decorate) and many varieties of starts (star of David and 6-sided star). There will be plenty of time for questions on aspects of willow growing and its preparation. We shall be using many colours of willow, some freshly coppiced and others soaked. This day is suitable for beginners.

The tutor


Elaine Kings works alongside Ganesh on living willow project sand willow craft/eco workshops in schools. She is a trained basketmaker and loves experimenting making useful and artistic items out of willow. She has a large involvement in the coppice management side of their willow business.

From a horticultural background and 4 years at sea Ganesh Bruce travelled for 10 years working with community and refugee projects on the Indian sub-continent and teaching in Japan. On his return he became fully involved with ecological and environmental projects both in schools and the private sector. He has worked in various county, conservation wildlife and agricultural groups in West & East Sussex, Hampshire, Surrey and London. He is a local tree warden and is a published author in ecology and pilgrimage.

Either Elaine or Ganesh will tutor the course.

Participant information

Please bring the following equipment with you:
· a pair of secateurs
· a plant spray
· tapered bodkin
· small wire cutters

The workshop will be limited to 8 participants to ensure that everyone has sufficient individual attention.

Fee

£50 per person, to include tuition, materials, teas and coffees. The Museum café will be open or you can bring a packed lunch.

The Museum

The Weald & Downland Open Air Museum has over 45 historic building exhibits.  It is also home to the award winning and innovative Downland Gridshell, which houses a conservation workshop and artefact store, and is also used for many practical courses.  The Museum runs a full programme of courses in historic building conservation and traditional rural trades and crafts, along with MSc programmes in Building Conservation and Timber Building Conservation validated by Bournemouth University. Please telephone for further details.

To book, download a form here. Alternatively, fill in the booking request below.

Make a Booking Request

 
This is an initial booking request form, and does not guarantee a place on the course. The Adult Learning Team will check the availability of the course, and reply to you as soon as possible - usually within one working day.