New cutting machine

Here at withysmythe meadow down in our willow beds ,we are growing 20 diffeent varietys of willow,all of which i have been given or have bought off of other willow growers and friends.

we are about half way through the willow harvesting ,and this year we are using the electric secateurs for the bug stuff, and for the finer willow

We are using a sthil combi tool with a small hedgecutter attachment.it is a lot quicker ,but we do need 2 people ,one person holds the whole willow plant whilst the other person uses the machine to cut the willow, we take it in turns and swop over every 20 minutes.Then after the cutting,i will go over the bed with the electric secateurs to tidy any untidy or long bits .We wont be planting any more willow this year,but maybe next year if we can find some more nice colours.

WORKSHOP MAKING CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS FROM HOMEGROWN COLOURED WILLOW sunday 4th Dec 2022 - 10 am till 1pm suitable for beginners - £40 per person

On this workshop,we will be making willow wreaths made from withysmythe home grown coloured willows grown here in our willow beds,we will be making christmas stars and if we have time, willow reindeers, willow wands and hanging stars

if you would like to book a morning,please call,email or message cath

VENUE

CRADLE TO GRAVE

Withysmythe meadow

Stour lane Stour row

SHAFTESBURY

DORSET

SP70QJ

Refreshments included

Willow Christmas Angel making workshop MONDAY DEC 5TH 2022, 10am till 1 pm £40 per person

Its that time of the year againwhere we are making willow angels, On this workshop you will be making a willow christmas angel with a light up halo and using buff,white and dyed coloured willow.

Venue

CRADLE TO GRAVE

withysmythe meadow stour lane,stour row shaftesbury DORSET SP70QJ

8 places available

Refreshments available

Please call,email or message cath for more details

BEGINNERS WILLOW WEAVING WORKSHOP (Patchwork Platter) 10 am till 4 pm sunday 11th Dec 2022 £75 PER PERSON

In this workshop we will be making a willow platter measuring 48 cm wide x 5cm high,

we will be using 2 different colours of homegrown willow,and buff willow for the stakes for the base and the uprights,

You will learn to make a willow base using buff sticks and by doing a pairing weave throughout the base,

you will be staking up the base with willow uprights and use the 3 rod wale to weave the sides and finish with a 5 rod behind 1 border.

This platter is perfect for entertaining,fill it with bread,cheese,fruit ,or hang it on the wall to be appreciated

This workshop is suitable for beginners and improvers

please call for more info or to book a place.

8 PLACES AVAILABLE

Please bring a packed lunch,Refreshments available

VENUE

CRADLE TO GRAVE withysmythe meadow,Stour lane,Stour row,SHAFTESBURY DORSET SP70QJ

OUR NEW VETURE,CUT FLOWERS FOR FUNERALS

This year at withysmythe meadow, the home of cradletogravewillowcoffins, we have been experimenting with growing cut flowers which we are hoping will take off over the next few years ,it will take a while to get right, build up and grow the right flowers ,and to get some funding from somewhere to be able to put up more tunnels and raised beds etc,we are growing 10 varietys of old fashoned scented roses, plus daliahs,sweetpeas,zinnias,echinecia,and lots lots more,we are looking forward to be able to supply familys with affordable cut flowers for their loved ones coffin, where they can come and choose the flowers and we can cut them and help prepare them for the coffin

Steamed willow woodland grove coffin

last week we were asked to weave a coffin made from steamed willow.The family came to see us last week,and the three children in the family sall decided that they wanted us to make the woodland grove coffin for their dad.

The steamed willow usually takes a week to soak in order to be able to weave the coffin,so we usually need a weeks notice to weave the woodland grove style.

The funeral director person i spoke to gave me the wrong dimensions for the coffin,she gave me body size instead of the inside coffin size,which means the coffin would have been a bit too small for the person,

luckily i had only got as far as cutting the base out,if i had made the whole coffin ,i would have had to charge the funeral company for it,but as it was ,i can keep the base for stock.this has happened three times in all the years that i have been a coffin maker,as we make bespoke coffins,we dont really keep many stock coffins,they are mainly tailor made for each person.

The finished coffin looked absoloutly stunning so we have photographed it next to our ford pick up,

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 , 8 places 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 ,willow bird table and bird feeder. 10AM -4PM

cost £85 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.we will also be making a willow bird table and if we have time,a bird feeder

3

sunday 7th may 2023 8 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

saturday 17th may 2023 10 am till 4 to 5 pm

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.

"His and Hers" Ash basket

We have been asked by a customer to make a basket big enough to keep two lots of cremated ashes in.The lady had lost both parents and wanted to keep them together in the same urn if possible.

She explained that both her parents loved the sea,so we have made them a lovely rectangle basket with a hinged lid,in ocean basket colours,

Inside the basket are two calico bags to put the ashes in,and two sisal rope sturdy handles to carry tjhe basket as Ashes can weigh up to 8 lb each.