Willow Weaving

Willow is a beautiful tree in our landscape that's proved to be a versatile plant in rural crafts and traditions..... from the ornamental to the practical - basket weaving, garden sculptures, hurdles, fencing, not forgetting cricket bats! Pauline Smith visits a smallholding in the village of Gwernogle in Carmarthenshire to meet owners of West Wales Willows, Justine and Alan Burgess. They're specialist growers of the Salix, to give it its Latin name - or Helyg in Welsh and Justine is a basket weaver. We also meet willow sculptor, Mel Bastier and Sarah Hatton, owner of Hatton Willow, who together also run a business selling willow woven coffins!