50th Anniversary – ‘40 years on the Plank’ with Adrian Charlton

Celebrate the Basketmakers’ Association 50th Anniversary with a series of talks

On Thursday 5th June we will be welcoming Adrian Charlton to our series of talks exclusively for BA members.

Join Adrian in his workshop as he talks about his life as a basket maker.

Time: 7pm – 8pm

I have been making baskets since 1985. My interest was sparked by seeing a basket maker at a market in North Norfolk. I was searching for a change of direction and looking for a profession, which I hoped would give me more freedom and, after five years on the oil rigs, one which I also hoped would have less of an impact on the environment.

I was awarded a grant by the Rural Development Commission to study traditional basketmaking skills under Master Basket Maker Terry Bensley. As Terry’s apprentice I was taught a full range of East Anglian fishing, agricultural, domestic and Trade’s basket ware. I sold my early baskets at local fairs and to retailers and by 1989 was attending some 35-40 shows a year, from small County Fairs to the largest Agricultural Shows in the country.

In 1997 I attended my first Fete de la Vannerie in Vallabregues France. From here I developed an interest in French and Spanish styles, exchanging ideas with basket makers from all over Europe and utilising these techniques to add to our range.

Also in 1997 I planted my first willow bed. This side of the business has grown and we used to cultivate around thirty varieties of willows on three beds in Norfolk. Our first project on our arrival in France 2014 was to clear some land for a new willow bed.

The growing of our own willow enables us to see the whole process of basket making through from start to finish. We grow varieties which are not easily available to buy, colours ranging from yellows to browns and reds to purples.

My teaching experience started around 1989. I ran a few adult education classes and while I enjoyed the process of teaching I was frustrated with the two-hour time limit of the classes. In 1997 I organised ten weekend courses in Norfolk teaching traditional English Willow Baskets and continued to run weekend and weeklong courses after our move to France, also teaching at basketmaking festivals in France and Belgium.

In 1999 The Basket Maker’s Association approached me to run an advanced willow course at their Summer School in Woodrow, Bucks and I have since taught at the Spring/Summer schools in Sparsholt and York on several occasions.

My weekend courses attracted  people from all over the country and further afield, one student coming from Canada, a contact which led to four month long teaching trips to Canada and the USA.​ The majority of the baskets I still produce today are traditional functional baskets however over the last few years I have developed an interest in contemporary asymmetrical design and now make many baskets with this more “artistic twist” .

Now semi-retired I no longer teach but still make baskets to order. We have several long-term customers in the U.S, UK and Japan who keep us busy, as long as the orders come in, I’ll continue to spend some of my days on the plank!

My search in those early days for a more authentic, autonomous lifestyle has been aptly realised in the profession of basketmaking – which I still cherish.

Tickets: £5.00

You will receive a link to the Zoom talk a few days before the talk and a recording for your personal use after the event. 

If you are unable to attend on the night you can buy a ticket, and we will send you the recording and watch the talk at your leisure.