Grain Stories: Reviving the Ancient Craft of Willow Weaving in the 21st Century

11 Feb

We talk to Dominic Parrette of Sussex Willow, basketmaker, willow grower and teacher. He specialises in traditional frame baskets, organically woven willow forms and beautiful strong plant supports.

As well as making his own products, he also takes on commissions for clients such as The National Trust, Kew at Wakehurst, and The Grain Store Lewes. He has curated our beautiful woven willow fence.

Dominic sources willow, sweet chestnut and hazel from local coppice woodlands and willow beds, and is committed to sustainable woodland management. His ethos of sustainability fits in perfectly with The Grain Store. We asked him a few questions about his trade and the ancient craft of willow weaving.

“Willow is a vigorous woody shrub that has ambitions to be a tree”

— Dominic Parrette, Sussex Willow

What is your background?

My background is from school, working in forestry and landscaping, followed by studying at Agricultural college. I worked as a countryside ranger for a number of years, before turning my hobby of rural crafts into my job.

How did you first come across weaving?

I first learnt to weave at Agricultural College, where we were introduced to hedge laying. This is the binding or heathering on the top of a laid hedge, and is woven with a basketry weave, albeit with big stuff!

What has been your favourite project and why?

I've enjoyed working on projects at Wakehurst Place, particularly for their Glow Wild Christmas event, which is enjoyed by so many people. I get to add a more artistic side to my weaving work on these projects.

What do you enjoy most about working with willow?

I love working with natural materials, particularly if I've harvested them myself. Over the years I have had the chance to explore and understand more of the properties and possibilities of willow, hazel and sweet chestnut.

What inspires you?

I am inspired by the Sussex landscape in which I work, and by the generation of makers from who I learnt my craft.

Where is your favourite or most inspirational place in East Sussex?

One of my favourite spots in Sussex is where I cut some of my willow in the middle of a reedbed in the Cuckmere Valley. It sits in the shadow of the white horse on High and Over. I'm usually accompanied by the chatter of a Cetti's warbler or two.

All of these images are of Dominic weaving our willow at The Grain Store. The chopped willow is now being used in natural habitat fence building around the shepherd’s hut in our wooded area, and some of it has been replanted to grow another woven willow fence for our beautiful lawn.

Is it a fair-weather job? Do you persevere in the rain?

I am lucky that I can choose to be in the workshop making baskets or out coppicing or hedge-laying. However, if I'm out and it's raining I'll still crack on.

(In the photos you will see Dominic weaving whilst it is snowing!)

What are your best tips for maintaining a willow fence?

The best advice for growing willow structures is to keep them maintained. Willow is a vigorous woody shrub that has ambitions to be a tree. Annual pruning or coppicing is a good idea to maintain its vigour and thickness.

Is it a lost art, and how do we preserve it?

There is a resurgence in interest in rural crafts and I think a new generation of makers is coming through. This will be particularly important in years to come, we as a society need to live and work in a more sustainable way.

Discover more and connect with Dominic

To learn more about Dominic’s craft, or to purchase some of his beautiful woven creations, head over to his website. He also offers weaving courses, so why not have a go at creating your own willow masterpiece?

Dominic Parratte - Sussex Willow