Willow weaving training event - February 2011
The Harthill Arts Trust has delivered yet another succesful training week. For 4 days at the end of February 2011, nearly 70 trainees were able to turn their hand to willow weaving. The event was based at Mickerloo Arts Gallery, set high on the Sandstone Ridge at Burwardsley.
The trainees were split into 2 teams each day and each team had to design their concept of a Hillfort. These were then planted in living willow and constructed in a pattern which loosely echoes their placement on the Sandstone Ridge.
Chris Gilbert (Harthill Arts Trust) said,
'Each Hillfort has its own distinctive character, which is really nice and they look brilliant as you drive into Mickerloo. In fact, they are visible from the road for everyone to see'
'We were lucky with the weather, which wasn't too wet or cold and Mickerloo did a great job at hosting it and providing hot refreshments and much-needed hot soup'
Being made of living willow, they will begin to sprout and grow and will be much more stable and stronger than the previous sculptures. Mickerloo will be able to either weave any new growth back into the structures or prune them.
The course was led by Sarah Gallagher Hayes - www.twigtwisters.co.uk.
