Member Profiles

Rachel Benson

I’ve now been weaving for 10 years starting in 2013 with sculptural forms then moving onto traditional basketry.  I’m addicted to the lovely smell of willow, the way the rods bend and curve, finding out how it behaves and what will and won’t work, learning from basketry tutor Phil Bradley who teaches in our venue several times a year. I’ve also started growing willow here and the willow beds here do have amazing views, but at over 1000’ in the Yorkshire Dales and quite windy, the harvest is not so prolific!

I joined Northumbria Basketry Group in 2019 and enjoyed a workshop with Anna Turnbull.

Some folk who've been to willow workshops at Broadrake started to meet up informally to improve our weaving skills and now we are a self help group for Northumbria Basketry Group, offering a more southern venue at the NW edge of the Yorkshire Dales.

We normally meet on the 2nd Weds of each month, subject to venue availability. Autumn 2023/Winter '23-'24 dates are as follows:

Wed Dec 13th - focus on Swedish Stars, and other starry weaves, with a Jacobs Join lunch. 9.30ish - 3.30ish

Winter/Spring 2024 dates will have to flex around workshop dates and bunkbarn bookings

Jan 10th 2024

Feb 21st  

March 20th

Willow Tutors Phil Bradley,Anna Turnbull and Steve Tomlin are teaching the following willowy/basket workshops for 2024, more details are on our website at https://www.broadrake.co.uk/workshops.html

5^th- 6^th April – Garden Trug with Phil Bradley, working with new season willow, some experience required

19^th April – Curlews with Phil Bradley

22nd-23rd May - Round Shopper with Jane Chapman

12t^th-13^th June  – Lunch Bags with Anna Turnbull

11^th- 12^th September – Ash Splint Baskets with Steve Tomlin

25^th- 26^th September – Hen Basket with Anna Turnbull, a little experience required

6th-7th November - Round Bottle Basket with Jane Chapman, some experience required

If you might be interested in either formal workshops or coming along to simply weave together, sharing tips and knowledge along with chat in our self-help group, then please get in touch. 

I am a member of The Basketmakers Association.

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