Rothamsted Willow and WW1 Baskets Day

As part of ‘The Basketry Then and Now Project’, I attended the Rothamsted Willow and WW1 Baskets event in Hertfordshire on the 12th November.  This day long conference explored the National Willow Collection and the history of basketmaking and willow growing during the First World War.  Speakers included co-ordinator Hilary Burns and Mary Butcher.  It was great to see the amazing variety of willow held in the national collection and I particularly liked seeing Mary Crabb’s video about her research and making of a WW1 artillery shell basket.  Brilliant to meet up with amazing basketmakers and researchers as well as being able to help by bringing along and showcasing some of the military baskets from the Coates basket collection.  https://www.herts.ac.uk/about-us/news/2016/november/the-humble-willow-basket-to-be-remembered-at-first-world-war-event

(Image courtesy of Stow Maries aerodrome in Essex – April 1st 1918 saw the start of the Women’s Royal Air Force)