Britain’s brilliant Basketry

Norman Miller celebrates the Sussex makers of one of our most historic crafts

Basketmaking is one of humanity’s oldest crafts, dating back at least 12,000 years. Now a surge of interest in eco-friendly traditional craftwork is sparking a resurgence of interest across Britain in the beguiling variety of these beautiful practical objects. Many are linked to specific places and uses, along with a resonant roster of names. Scottish fishing heritage alone offers sculls, murlins, rips, kishies, creels and crans, while traditional Lancashire baskets include swills, spelks and spales. The Sussex trug – inspired by the shape of Saxon coracle boats – was so admired by Queen Victoria, she gave it a Royal Warrant. Sussex, in South East England remains a basketry hotspot, and it’s here that Annemarie O’Sullivan (annemarieosullivancourses.com) harvests willow rods (withies) each January from a watery half-acre bed at Horam on the River…

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Discover Britain (Digital) - 1 Issue, June - July 2024

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