BA Spring School 2026: Welsh Cyntell – Owen Jones

Tickets available from 10am Saturday 10th January 2026

Spring School at 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 are available. In 2026 the ticket prices are:

• Residential: £645
• Non-residential: £380

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 £645 (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.

Course Description

This course aims to cover all aspects of making the traditional Welsh frame basket, the cyntell.  We will be using shave horses and draw knives, among other tools, to make the hoops, cleave and dress the ribs before going on to weave the basket.

During the course we would aim to make two baskets, firstly the classic round style and then an oval version.

Suitability: all abilities

Cost of materials (payable directly to the tutor): £30

Your tutor

Owen Jones’ main trade is as an oak swill basket maker, having learnt the craft from an old ‘swiller’ back in 1988 and has been a full time maker ever since.  Being half Welsh he was interested in the cyntell and was lucky enough to be taught by DJ Davies in the early 90’s and has been making a dozen or so every year since then.  Although mainly a swiller, he has developed many off-shoots, such as besoms, oak gates, oak benches, firewood and rush hat making.  Growing and harvesting his own materials is an important aspect of his life and he manages two oak woods and a hazel coppice. He grows all his own willow with a friend and cuts all his rush for the hats, so he rarely needs to buy anything.  For many years he has been demonstrating swill making at country shows and has regularly run courses. Now, more home based, his vegetable plot happily consumes any spare time he has left.