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Winter willow beds at Withysmythe Meadow

10,000 years ago when most humans were far-ranging hunter gatherers everyday items were stored and carried in baskets- light, and therefore easy to carry. As people began to settle in one place pottery started to appear as the storage method of choice, but basketry is making a comeback here in Britain…

Growing willow has become increasingly popular in the UK over the last 5 years, on a small scale to add colour to a border or for wildlife, and on a larger scale, to start a willow growing and basketry business.

We have been growing and cultivating basketry willow here at Withysmythe Meadow for the past 5 years ourselves and have around 15 varieties of beautiful different coloured rods.

a willow rainbow of shades from different varieties

Our ground is ideal as it is made of heavy clay and is very wet, so our willow thrives in these conditions.

Planting usually takes place between December and March for best results.

A willow bed is fairly easy to prepare, although if you have a deer or rabbit problem the area will need to be fenced off first. After this the area is covered with pegged down black weed suppressant fabric, which may not be everyone’s initial choice, but for small areas it’s ideal.

Each cutting is 30 cm/1ft long. The willow rods need to be pushed into the ground about 3 quarters of the way and about 10 inches apart in rows 2 feet apart. The new shoots will need cutting back each year once all the leaves have dropped and the same rules apply for cutting and planting when the plant is dormant between December and March.

Your freshly cut willow can be used straightaway, but is best left to mellow for a few weeks, although it does have the tendency to shrink slightly whilst drying.

These ‘withys’ will take about 3 months to completely dry out, and then can be used for making basketry items.

For all living willow items, the willow used can be cut and put straight into the ground. In the case of cuttings they will survive after being cut for a good month or so if kept in the fridge after purchasing.

A rough soaking guide for Dried willow is generally 1 day per foot, but this can vary between varieties. At Withysmythe Meadow we usually soak ours for about a week prior to use in the summer months, but in winter it can take a bit longer due to the water being colder.

a winter willow sunrise at Withysmythe Meadow

So if you are keen to start growing your own willow you will be pleased to hear that we will soon have for sale the following varieties for cuttings:

Flanders Red, Brittany Green, Dicky Meadows, Packing Twine, Cardinallis Yellow, Harrisons Purple, Continental Purple, Hutchingsons Yellow, Noire de villaine, Eugine green, Pheasant brown, Black hollander, Gold stone, Black maul and Reeders Red.

a red willow sunset at Withysmythe Meadow

Cath and Tosh Abbott work from their Withysmythe Meadow workshop in Dorset. You can contact them by phone or email. They look forward to hearing from you.

Tel: 07919 385 854 | Email: ladycaffryn@yahoo.co.uk

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Have a look at some of the varied and different coloured willow basketry made by Cath and Tosh

Winter workshops dec 2023 to feb 2024

Willow Christmas Angel Workshop

WEDNESDAY 6TH DEC 2023

8 PLACES AVAILABLE

10am till 1 pm ,COST £40 Per person which includes materials,tuition,and use of tools

Its that time of year again for making festive willow christmas angels .We will be making a lovely willow angel with a light up halo and christmas baubles, using buff,white and coloured willows,

To book a place on this course please call,email or message cath on

07919385854

ladycaffryn@yahoo.co.uk

Suitable for beginners

Cradle to Grave wins Coffin Supplier of The Year Award for the third time!

Cath and Tosh from Cradle to Grave Willow Coffins were the proud recipients of ‘Coffin Supplier of The Year’ at The Good Funeral Awards 2023. This is the third time they have won the award, held this year at The National Conference Centre in Solihull, hosted by EastEnders star Shaun Williamson.

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The wooden plaque, sponsored by Horizon Cremation awarded to Cradle to Grave as Coffin Supplier of the year 2023

The coffin supplier of the year at the Good Funeral Awards is a recognition of the best and most compassionate coffin provider in the industry. This year's winner ‘Cradle to Grave’ is a testament to the dedication, hard work and attention to detail required to provide grieving families with a sense of peace and comfort in a time of loss.

Choosing a coffin is an important decision, and the coffin supplier of the year understands this. They take the time to listen to the families they serve, offering a range of options to ensure they find the perfect match for their loved one. They are also mindful of environmental concerns, offering eco-friendly options for those who wish to minimize their impact.

Their commitment to quality extends beyond the product itself. The winner of this prestigious award is also recognized for the exceptional customer service they provide. They treat every family they serve with respect and kindness, understanding the importance of their role in helping families through a difficult time.

Cradle to Grave, in winning this award sets the standard for excellence in the funeral industry. Their dedication to providing exceptional products and customer service is a true testament to their commitment to serving those in need.

The certificate of excellence as coffin supplier of the year 2023, presented to Cath and Tosh Abbot of Cradle to Grave

The essence of a green funeral is simplicity. It rejects the idea of the traditional style funeral in favour of something with a more natural feel.

The Association of Green Funeral Directors (AGFD) is a non-profit making organisation which strives to bring natural eco-friendly funerals into the mainstream.

As the association states “The essence of a green funeral is simplicity. It rejects the idea of the traditional style funeral in favour of something with a more natural feel. Burials are often in an unspoilt landscape rather than a conventional cemetery and it rejects the more artificial elements associated with funerals such as lacquered coffins with brass handles, strict ceremonies and embalming.

It's the idea of caring for the deceased with a minimal impact on the environment. For people observing certain religious traditions, a green burial may also be a way to meet the requirements of the religious law in a modern world. However not all of these ideas have to be used and certain elements alone can work within a traditional funeral service too - for example choosing a willow coffin. The choice is yours”.

Cath and Tosh Abbot with one of their beautiful hand woven willow coffins.

“We are very proud and honoured to have won this award….for the third time! It makes all the long hours and hard work all worthwhile”.

We are skilled basket makers and have been in the business of basket weaving and willow coffin weaving for over 20 years. We weave our willow caskets using traditional age-old weaving skills, using age old methods passed down through generations of basket weavers. Using traditional weaves and traditional handcrafted tools made by local blacksmiths, you can be sure of getting a unique bespoke handcrafted willow product. We are passionate about using locally grown produce and grow our own willow at Withysmythe Meadow in Dorset.

The willow plantation at Withysmythe Meadow

Cradle to Grave are here to support you and your family with lovingly-made willow coffins which are both shaped by history and inspired by eco-friendly design. If you would like us to discuss your needs with you in detail, please call or email us at your convenience.

Cath and Tosh Abbott work from their Withysmythe Meadow workshop in Dorset. You can contact them by phone or email. They look forward to hearing from you.

Tel: 07919 385 854 | Email: ladycaffryn@yahoo.co.uk

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The season of mists and mellow fruitfulness

Keats wasn’t wrong when he wrote these words from his romantic poem. It's the time to gather in fruits from gardens and hedgerows, to store or preserve them as jams and jellies to eat during the long winter months. Here at Withysmythe Meadow we grow many different fruit trees and plants that produce an abundance of fruit between spring and autumn.

This season we have have made some gorgeous jams including strawberry, plum (from our Victoria plumb tree), yellow and red raspberry jams and blackcurrant jam.

We have also made Apple juice from the orchard, Elder flower cordial, Elderberry syrup,and blackcurrant cordials 

In the 5 years since we took over the land at Withysmythe we have planted it up with willow, fruit trees, a large vegetable and a flower garden and we now have an abundance of produce to store up for the winter.

We have now planted over 300 metres of pollinating varieties of hedgerow  trees, including Hazel, Rowan, Dogrose, Goatwillow, Ashawthorn and Blackthorn.

This time of the year the hedges are full of food for us and for wildlife, so we can produce jams, syrups etc and the birds get their fill of berries!

It is hard work, but very rewarding!

Dorset is renowned for its rich biodiversity, particularly in terms of fruit-bearing hedgerow trees. These trees have been growing for centuries, providing a natural paradise for wildlife whilst also contributing to environmental sustainability. The diverse variety of fruit bearing hedgerow trees serve as vital food sources for wildlife, making them an essential component of the county's rich ecosystem and at Withysmythe Meadow we strive to nurture and maintain the natural cycle of seasonal produce that has been around for millennia, but has only recently been considered as the best way to live…Local food, seasonal produce, homegrown….

What’s not to like about that?

You can purchase some of our seasonal local produce at Withysmythe Meadow. Give us a call and come and see us!

Cath and Tosh Abbott work from their Withysmythe Meadow workshop in Dorset. You can contact them by phone or email. They look forward to hearing from you.

Tel: 07919 385 854 | Email: ladycaffryn@yahoo.co.uk

Withysmythe Willow

Willow beds at Withysmythe Meadow- The home of Cradle to Grave Willow Coffins in Dorset

At the beginning of January each year here at Withysmythe Meadow we begin to cut by hand an acre of around 26 varieties of basketry willow.

The colours range from purples, yellows, reds, oranges and browns to a myriad of shades of green.

Naturally grown willow has many varieties and colour variations

When the willow is fresh the colours are so vibrant, then develop into a darker shade as the willow dries.

At Cradle to Grave Willow Coffins our plantation contains many different varieties of willow, homegrown by us at Withysmythe Meadow in Dorset. These include Brittany green, Flanders red, Harrisons purple, Welsh white, Green gots, Dicky meadows, Dark dicks, Noir de Villaine and Pheasant brown.

We try and cut all the willow by the end of January each year, then spend the next month or so grading, sorting and bundling the willow up ready to be stored in our barn for use throughout the year.

Harvested willow bundles, ready to store in our barn at Withysmythe Meadow

From the end of January through to end of March we sell living willow for cuttings, for other people to start their own willow beds, or to make living willow fences etc.

The majority of the willow is used for weaving our hand made willow coffins, baskets and willow garden structures throughout the year, and we will sell any surplus willow in bundles, usually at the renowned Stock Gaylard Oakfair in August to other keen basket weavers.

One of our beautiful, hand made willow coffins, crafted with our own home grown willow

Once all the willow is cut, processed and stored we rake up all the dropped leaves and put them onto compost piles. This will rot down and be used for our flower and vegetable growing during the year ahead.

The willow will stay flexible for about 3 months after cutting, but once it dries it will need soaking for a week or two before use.

It is a really pleasurable thing to grow your own willow, cut and process it and then weave it into beautiful handmade products.

At Cradle to Grave Willow Coffins we specialise in producing beautiful, bespoke and unique willow creations. Our coffins and caskets are eco-friendly, with willow taken from our own sustainable plantation and all are hand-made with love by us, here in the beautiful Dorset countryside.

What makes us different from other providers of this kind of service?

We make coffins individually for the person who has passed. We invite the family members over to help make the coffin and get them as involved as they want to be. We treat them with with kindness and gentleness. I always try to imagine what it must be like and put myself in the person's shoes who's lost their loved one, so I can try and understand how they are feeling. We invite families round to look at coffins and to come sit with us in our beautiful surroundings, drink tea and eat cake. We are very compassionate towards our customers.

- Cath and Tosh Abbott

CRADLE TO GRAVE, WITHYSMYTHE MEADOW, STOUR LANE, STOUR ROW, DORSET SP7 0QJ, UNITED KINGDOM. telephone: 07919 385854 LADYCAFFRYN@YAHOO.CO.UK

The willow plantation at Withysmythe Meadow in Dorset

Home Funeral for a Greek Gentleman

At Cradle to Grave Willow Coffins we are often contacted by families around the country, who are looking for a more sustainable, eco-friendly and more aesthetically pleasing alternative to a traditional wooden coffin to say goodbye to their loved ones.

Recently, we had a phone call from a greek family in London, who were nursing their 100 year old family elder. He was close to passing away and had said his goodbyes to the family, who were caring for him at home in his last days and hours.

This particular family were holding a family farewell in their beautiful garden, allowing them to hold their own personal ceremony and say their last farewells.

They had planned and organised the whole funeral all by themselves. The granddaughter had attended a 'care of the body’ course with a friend of ours and had learned everything she needed to know, so when the time came the family could give their beloved grandfather a beautiful home funeral.

A home funeral is where the family care for their loved one at home in their final days, so they can die peacefully at home in familiar surroundings, surrounded by their loving family, allowing them time and private space to come to terms with their loss.

The relative can be washed and laid to rest in a beautiful willow coffin, surrounded by flowers, scented herbs and lighted candles, while mourning takes place.

The next day, after the home funeral, the coffin is taken to the crematorium  early  to have a direct cremation.

This is such a wonderful thing to do, where the family have spent time with their loved one, and have already started the grieving process and acceptance that they are no longer with them.

Pictured below is the beautiful coffin we made for the grandfather, crafted from our own home grown white willow and hand dyed blue willow to honour the greek flag, as this gentleman served as a sailor in The Greek Navy.

Our beautiful hand made willow coffin for a greek gentleman, finished in hand dyed blue willow to represent the greek navy

Cradle to Grave Willow Coffins are based in Dorset, where we grow our own willow at Withysmythe Meadow. Each willow coffin is hand made- a bespoke and beautiful creation with which to say goodbye to your loved one. We make our beautiful coffins to order, so please contact us at your earliest opportunity. Have a look at some of the willow coffins we make by visiting our website. You can choose from our popular designs or ask us to make something even more personal for you. Call us on 01258 821457 or on our mobile 07919 385 854 or you can use the contact form on our site to get in touch.

At Cradle to Grave Willow Coffins we provide a bespoke and personal service, no matter what funeral arrangements you have in mind

What is a Home Funeral and what does it involve?

A home funeral is a time honoured way for families care for their loved ones after they have passed away.  It allows families to engage in a more relaxed, personal, lovingly planned for and more affordable experience.

This is not a new idea. In the not too distant past, families were completely responsible for the preparation and burial of their loved ones’ bodies after passing – it was viewed as an ancient art, an honour to engage with, a supreme act of respect and compassion and a totally natural part of the grieving process.

Recently more families are exercising their right to hold a family based funeral at home.

The ritual involves family and even friends gently washing and dressing a loved one's body, laying out the body at home, naturally cooling the body and gathering together to share in grief and spend some precious moments together.

A home Funeral is a special experience for family and friends. There are some rules laid down if you would like to do this. please read our advice below…

Advice on Home Funerals

Within the first few days of the passing of your loved one you must by law engage in the following:-

• Obtain a medical certificate from a General practitioner or hospital doctor in order to register the death of your loved one.

• You need to register the death within five days. Then you will recive the documents you need for the funeral to take place.

• Arrange your funeral. You can do this with or without the services of a funeral director.

You can choose to use a funeral director or decide to care for your loved one at home and conduct the funeral yourselves. This is called a family-led home funeral.

Funerals may be held at your home or in a place of personal connection, like a church, a village hall or community venue, or even a sports club or local hotel.

With a home funeral you are able to stay in control of the process. You may decide where and when you hold the funeral and fashion a personal ceremony, honouring the life of your loved one in your own special way. 

You can also choose whether the body of the departed will be buried or cremated and may organise this process to be to your own timescale, in accordance with their wishes and beliefs.

Cath hand weaving a bespoke willow coffin available to order from Cradle to Grave Willow Coffins of Dorset

Willow weaving workshops spring 2023 at withysmythe meadow

We will be running the following half day and full day workshops this year from our workshop in stour row Dorset.

for the full day workshop please bring a packed lunch.

All workshops include materials,use of tools and refreshments etc

VENUE

withysmythe meadow

stour lane

stour row

DORSET

SP70QJ

1

sunday April 2nd 2023 Plant supports 10 AM -1PM ,

ONE PLACE AVAILABLE

Cost £50 per person which includes ,tuition ,use of tools ,and materials and refreshments

.SUITABLE FOR BEGINNERS

On this course we will be constructing a willow plant support for your garden, approxametley 6 ft high, using our homegrown willow grown at withysmythe meadow

2

sunday 16th april 2023. 8 PLACES AVAILABLE

Plant supports , 10AM -1PM

cost £50 per person which includes tuition,use of tools,materials and refreshments

SUITABLE FOR BEGINNERS

On this course,we will be constructing a willow plant support for your garden ,made from our lovely homegrown willow grown in our willow beds at stour row.

3

sunday 7th may 2023 TWO PLACES AVAILABLE

Berry picking basket on a premade wooden base 10AM -5PM

Cost £90 per person which includes tuition,use of tools,materials and refreshments.

On this course you will learn how to weave a round basket on a pre made wooden base,so you get to practice all the different weaves,and to finish it off with a willow woven handle.You will take home a tall elegant berry picking basket using a selection of white, buff and homegrown willows from our withybeds.

4 ( THIS DATE IS CANCELLED FOR THE TIME BEING )

saturday 17th June 2023 10 am till 4 to 5 pm. 8 places available

£90 per person

Willow platter workshop

In this workshop we will be making a willow platter measuring 48 cm wide x 5 cm high.we will be using homegrown willow and buff or white willow for the base sticks and uprights.you will learn to make a willow base using buff willow sticks and by doing a pairing weave throughout the base.you will be staking up the base using buff or white,anduse the 3 rod wale to weave the sides and finish off with a 5 rod border.The platter is perfect for a fruit basket,cheese and biscuits,hang it on the wall.or for the cat to curl up in.This workshop is suitable for beginners or improvers.please call for more info and to book a place.

We will be running more courses during the autumn months and we will be doing or christmas angel and decoration workshops nearer christmas ,but in the meantime ,if you would like to book onto one of the above courses we allow up to 8 people per course, so book now to avoid disapointment.

More workshops comming soon

Please email me on the contacts page or call cath on 07919385854 to book a place on any of these corses.