“Whether you are a beginner, or an ardent ‘stick-twiddler’, we hope you find something you like, and we look forward to welcoming you to our friendly workshops in the beautiful surroundings of Wakelyns”
Emma & Adam
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2 May 10-1 Plant Supports
Come and learn to make a 4-6ft plant obelisk (depending on the height you need/are able to transport). We will use Wakelyns willow and visit the willow beds to coppice willow for the project. £60 (half day).
Willow Phoenix: Plant Supports 2 May on 2 May 2026 (10:00 am – 1:00 pm)
2 May 2-5 Berry Baskets
Come and learn to make this lovely Celtic Berry Basket. A perfect first weaving project for beginners. This is a frame basket, which can be scaled up or down when you repeat your craft independently. This is a great small basket to keep handy for foraging. When the course is over, if you would like to visit the willow beds you are very welcome. £60 (half day)
Willow Phoenix: Berry Baskets 2-5 on 2 May 2026 (2:00 pm – 5:00 pm)
13 June 10-6.30 Oval Washing Basket
Come and learn to make a large, oval washing basket complete with finger hold handles. Suitable for a 6 kilo load. It will help if you have made a round basket first. We will use a variety of willows for colour and interest and you will learn types of weaves and how to complete a border. £120 (lunch included).
Lunch provided by Silva – seasonal tarts, salads, and delicious sweet treats. All made from scratch with menus inspired by Wakelyns produce and carefully chosen local ingredients from our favourite suppliers.
Willow Phoenix: Oval Washing Basket 13 June on 13 June 2026 (10:00 am – 6:00 pm)
2 July ??
[TBC]
Lunch provided by Silva – seasonal tarts, salads, and delicious sweet treats. All made from scratch with menus inspired by Wakelyns produce and carefully chosen local ingredients from our favourite suppliers.
[TBC]
8 August 10-5 Asymmetric Hazel Handled Basket
Come and learn to make this lovely, versatile basket. It’s traditionally a kindling basket, but I use mine as an every day basket. We will use Wakelyns hazel for the handle. After lunch, we can take a walk in the hazel coppice to connect with the trees in the agroforestry. £95 (lunch included)
Lunch provided by Silva – seasonal tarts, salads, and delicious sweet treats. All made from scratch with menus inspired by Wakelyns produce and carefully chosen local ingredients from our favourite suppliers..
Willow Phoenix: Asymetric Hazel Handled Basket on 8 August 2026 (10:00 am – 5:00 pm)
12 September 10-5 Irish Potato Skibb
Come and learn to make this lovely large round tray. Traditionally used to serve potatoes to the whole family, it looks equally beautiful presenting bread, cakes or salads. When it has finished it’s job at the table, it will look handsome on the wall. £95 (lunch included)
Lunch provided by Silva – seasonal tarts, salads, and delicious sweet treats. All made from scratch with menus inspired by Wakelyns produce and carefully chosen local ingredients from our favourite suppliers.
Willow Phoenix: Irish Potato Skibb 12 September on 12 September 2026 (10:00 am – 5:00 pm)
All tools and materials are provided. Take home your makings. Whole day courses include lunch from Silva Kitchen and Bakery
If you don’t live locally, why not stay over in a Wakelyns Ley Alley Pod?
Book your Willow Phoenix event here:
Other events at Wakelyns are here
Willow Phoenix: Berry Baskets 2-5 on 2 May 2026 (2:00 pm - 5:00 pm)
Willow Phoenix: Oval Washing Basket 13 June on 13 June 2026 (10:00 am - 6:00 pm)
Willow Phoenix: Asymmetric Hazel Handled Basket on 8 August 2026 (10:00 am - 5:00 pm)
Willow Phoenix: Irish Potato Skibb 12 September on 12 September 2026 (10:00 am - 5:00 pm)
Adam and Emma say:
“We have been working together as Willow Phoenix since 2012 and have completed various commissions, festivals, events and community projects together. We currently working on large-scale commissions for the summer season, whilst teaching at Easton College ‘Beginner’s Basketry’ course.”
“We are both very excited to be working with Wakelyns to offer a series of seasonal willow basket projects for beginners to intermediate weavers. We we be including willow grown at Wakelyns and offer the opportunity to learn more about the process of coppicing, its sustainability and how it fits in to the wider landscape of agroforestry.”
“Weaving is a mindful, sustainable craft, good for people, nature, and the planet. It’s the perfect antidote to our fast-paced life and the finished product is authentic and will last a lifetime.Weaving is an excellent way to connect to nature and is gentle, whole body exercise.”
“We are members of the Heritage Crafts Association and support it’s aims of promoting and teaching to keep the craft viable. We have also committed to learning to make baskets from the endangered crafts Red List, to keep the craft alive and accessible to future generations.”
“We look forward to crafting with you in the beautiful setting of Wakelyns, where we will take you through the process of making your own baskets from the willow trees in the field, to your completed project.”
Here are some of Adam & Emma’s other lovely work:
