Court Assistant Nigel Mattravers has very kindly made arrangements for a visit to a Somerset Willow Factory. If you would like to participate in this visit, please register your interest with Nigel, using the following contact details:
Email mattraversn@gmail.com
Let’s get out of London and travel back to the West Country for a visit and light lunch. Somerset is famous for its cider, willow and cheddar; we have visited a cider farm and now it is the turn of a willow factory.
Willow (we also call it withy in these parts) has been grown in Somerset since ancient times, with willow baskets being found in Roman remains. The demand for willow baskets boomed during the industrial revolution and willow growing and stripping became a major activity for the community. So much so, that the local schools changed their summer holidays to May in order that the children could help with the harvest.
Robert Coate set up his willow business in 1819 and it is to his family’s Coates Willows and Wetlands Centre that we will be visiting on this trip.
The plan for the day is to meet up at the Centre for coffee at around 11:15am. There will be a guided tour of the factory at 12noon, where we will see not only the willow being prepared, baskets being made but also learn about the history of the trade. A light lunch will follow and afterwards we can visit the museum and showroom. For those looking for more exercise there are plenty of walking opportunities around the centre.
Depending on the numbers visiting, we anticipate that the total cost will be around £30 per person.
For more information about Coates English Willow please go the web site
The Willow Centre is in located in the small village of Stoke St. Gregory, north- east of Taunton, but it is close to Junction 25 of the M5. The nearest railway station is Taunton. More details of how to get there can be found on the Willow Centre website.
If you are interested in joining this visit or would like to know more, please contact Nigel Mattravers on his alternative email mattraversn@gmail.com
or mobile 07807 416362. Nigel is a local boy and can provide information that may be useful if you wish to extend your stay. For example, the Willow Centre is near the island of Athelney where, legend has it, Alfred burnt the cakes.
We do hope you will be able to join what we hope will be an interesting day.
By the way, did you know that the frame of a Guardsman’s Bearskin is made of Somerset willow?
