BA Spring School 2027: Canterbury Watercress Basket – Dominic Parrette

Tickets available from 10am Saturday 9 January 2027

Spring School at Duchy College (formerly Harrogate Ladies College) offers four full days to immerse yourself in basketry with top-class tutors. There is also plenty of opportunity to relax and get to know fellow basketmakers from all around the UK and beyond.

Both residential (single-occupancy room, shared bathroom, all meals) and non-residential (includes lunches and Sunday evening meal) options will be available. In 2027 the ticket prices are:

• Residential: £670
• Non-residential: £415

Only one ticket is available per BA member, and material costs are payable directly to tutors at the end of the week.

By purchasing a ticket you are agreeing to the cancellation policy as detailed in the Basketmakers’ Associations Terms and Conditions

Bursaries

There are 5 bursaries of up to £670 (sponsored by the Worshipful Company of Basketmakers’ Charitable Trust and the Basketmakers’ Association) and a travel bursary of £400 (sponsored by an anonymous donor) available for the Spring School.   Members of 2 continuous years’ standing may apply.

Please go the Bursaries, Awards and Cups section in the Members’ Area of the Basketmakers’ Association website for further information.

The course

The watercress basket is a split wood frame basket from Kent. The last recorded makers were based in villages around Canterbury and the basket was revived by Mary Butcher who had collected examples. Predominantly made from coppiced wild willow an example has been found made from split hazel. It is likely that the makers would have used whatever materials were growing locally.
The course will involve setting frames, both handle and rim with green (fresh) materials and then the creation of ribs and splits (weavers) from 1”-2” poles. This again can be done green but we will have time to work some materials with heat after steaming as a comparison.

Techniques for making this basket will include:
Cleaving using a froe and cleaving break as well cleaving with a knife.
Setting frames around formers.
Creating ribs and split wood weavers from coppice poles.
Shaving using a drawknife and shave horse.
Shaving using a knife and leather.
Use of a steamer.

Suitability: intermediate, some basketry experience required

Estimated cost of materials: £30 payable directly to the tutor.

Your tutor

Dom is a basketmaker and coppice worker who specialises in frame baskets with a strong interest in split wood forms. He has over twenty years experience as a tutor.