Celebrating 50 Years of The Basketmakers’ Association

2025 marks an incredible milestone for The Basketmakers’ Association (BA) as we celebrate our 50th anniversary! Founded in 1975, the BA has grown into the UK’s leading organisation for basketmakers, chair seaters, fibre artists, and enthusiasts dedicated to the art and craft of basketry. For half a century, we have been at the heart of the UK basketry community, supporting makers, preserving traditional skills, and inspiring innovation in the craft—and what makes this all the more remarkable? We’re entirely volunteer-run.

From our small beginnings in 1975, the BA has grown year on year, welcoming more members, running more courses, and expanding the reach of basketry in the UK and beyond. Today, we continue to thrive as a vibrant, supportive organisation, uniting makers of all levels—from beginners to master craftspeople.

A Volunteer-Run Success Story

Reaching 50 years is no small feat, especially for an organisation run by volunteers. Our dedicated members have worked tirelessly to keep the BA going, organising events, producing the BA Journal, maintaining our archive, and running workshops to share knowledge. It’s this passion and commitment that has kept the BA strong, ensuring basketry remains alive and relevant for future generations.

We want to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt thanks to every member who has contributed their personal time, skills, and energy to making the BA what it is today. Whether you’ve served on a committee, run a workshop, written for the Journal, or simply shared your passion for basketry with others, your efforts have been invaluable. The BA is, and always has been, a community-driven organisation, and we couldn’t have reached this milestone without you.

Anniversary Events and Talks

To mark this momentous occasion, we have an exciting line-up of events planned throughout the year. Highlights include:

• Business Development Workshops with Patricia van den Akker – In collaboration with The Design Trust, a series of three workshops will be held, focusing on making basketry businesses more profitable. The third workshop, scheduled for September 13th, 2025, will address challenges unique to basketmakers, including pricing, marketing, and building confidence in valuing one’s work.
• Online Basketry Exhibition – A special virtual showcase of members’ work, highlighting the skill, creativity, and evolution of basketry over the decades. This exhibition will allow a wider audience to appreciate the craftsmanship and artistry of BA members.
• A Series of Inspiring Talks – We are thrilled to welcome a fantastic line-up of speakers, including Rachael South, who will discuss the craft of chair seating; Adrian Charlton, who will share his personal basketry journey; and a special conversation between Mary Butcher MBE and Tim Johnson. More talks will be announced later in the year.
• The Big Weave – A collaborative project where members across the UK will create 50 large frame baskets. These baskets will travel between groups of members who will each contribute to their completion. The finished pieces will be displayed at our Summer Meeting, and the accompanying notebooks will be added to our archive as a record of this special event.

Looking Ahead

The BA isn’t just looking back at our achievements—we’re looking forward to the future. As we enter our next 50 years, we remain committed to growing our membership, supporting basketmakers, and promoting this beautiful craft. We’re still expanding, still evolving, and still welcoming new members each year.

So, let’s celebrate! Whether you’re attending a talk, taking part in The Big Weave, or simply continuing your own basketry journey, you are part of something special.

Here’s to 50 years of the BA—and to many more to come!