The Willows and Wetlands Visitor Centre is situated at
Stoke St Gregory
Stoke St Gregory is a village and civil parish in Somerset, England, about east of Taunton in the Somerset West and Taunton district. The village is on a low ridge of land between the River Tone to the north and West Sedgemoor to the south. Th ...
, on the
Somerset Levels
The Somerset Levels are a coastal plain and wetland area of Somerset, England, running south from the Mendips to the Blackdown Hills.
The Somerset Levels have an area of about and are bisected by the Polden Hills; the areas to the south a ...
, north east of
Taunton, England. Based on a working farm, growing and processing
willow, the centre offers tours of over of withies, willow yards and basket workshops and explains the place of willow in the history of the Levels.
History
The centre is run and owned by the Coate family who have been growing willow on the Somerset Levels since 1819 and making baskets since 1904. During the
Victorian era wicker
Wicker is the oldest furniture making method known to history, dating as far back as 5,000 years ago. It was first documented in ancient Egypt using pliable plant material, but in modern times it is made from any pliable, easily woven material. ...
furniture became popular as it was believed to be more sanitary, collecting less dust when compared to upholstery. Large numbers of people were employed, some as "
outworkers" processing the willow in their own homes. The company has remained in the same family since.
Several varieties of willow are grown on the , the majority being ''
Salix triandra
''Salix triandra'', with the common names almond willow, almond-leaved willow or black maul willow, is a species of willow native to Europe and Western and Central Asia. It is found from south-eastern England east to Lake Baikal, and south to S ...
'' The willow is then cut and processed to produce different colours. The willow is boiled and then the bark removed. Bark removal was originally carried out by hand but is now mechanised.
In addition to willow for basket making, the company also uses it to make
Charcoal
Charcoal is a lightweight black carbon residue produced by strongly heating wood (or other animal and plant materials) in minimal oxygen to remove all water and volatile constituents. In the traditional version of this pyrolysis process, cal ...
, which is sold under their own label and for other brands since the 1960s.
The centre was opened by
David Bellamy in 1987. Particular efforts have been made to ensure the museum is accessible to those with visual and mobility impairments.
Exhibits
It features exhibits relating to
Willow growing and processing and basket-making and includes a video room describing willow growing and basket making; a basket museum with displays of traditional and unusual willow artefacts; the Levels and Moors Exhibition describing the history of the local countryside and its links with this traditional industry; and an environmental interpretation display highlighting the importance of water in shaping the Somerset Levels.
Guided tours are available which demonstrate the stages in the processing of the willow and the creation of
wicker
Wicker is the oldest furniture making method known to history, dating as far back as 5,000 years ago. It was first documented in ancient Egypt using pliable plant material, but in modern times it is made from any pliable, easily woven material. ...
work, but visitors are free to wander through the fields along the banks of the
River Tone
The River Tone is a river in the English county of Somerset. The river is about long. Its source is at Beverton Pond near Huish Champflower in the Brendon Hills, and is dammed at Clatworthy Reservoir. The reservoir outfall continues throu ...
. Close to one of the paths is a wooden carved sculpture by Louise Baker celebrating the importance of the willow in the industry of the Levels.
References
{{reflist
External links
Centre web site
Museums in Somerset
Somerset Levels
History of Somerset
Farm museums in England
Industry museums in England
Environmental interpretation organizations