One way to hide the motors from full view but still see who is coming through the gate!
Hazel is dried out so willow woven in situ with a mix of steel and sawn timber for uprights. A little of it soaked for wrapping round the ends but the rest flexible enough to weave dry.

A view from the Hazel Coppice-one of the most beautiful months of the year to work in the woods!!

You've got to love a customer who as soon as one tree blows down plants another with this much protection.
A little chestnut work amongst all the willow and hazel...Stand back and watch this grow!!

A busy few weeks on the willows~climbers,hurdles, harvest, teaching, willow bundles going out & a little more planting.
It’s a beautifully manic time of year and one where I have an annual regret of not having given the willow bed enough tlc over the winter. It still survives with sporadic planting.

When the finished result comes pretty close to the design brief it’s a good day…tricky with natural materials, particularly Hazel.

A Coppiced split Hazel fire pit surround. It can be hard getting it to flow with Hazel as it’s pretty chunky & tough to manipulate. Finally Sun!!🥳

The @nationaltrust.bsky.social at Calke wanted to renew some fencing for the working gardens.
So Sweet Chestnut cleft, worked and nailed is perfect for it.
Epic job for it as it was a big area to cover and all made with an axe,froe,drawknife (a little chainsaw!) & a considerable amount of nails.

Back at Grangefields to add to the cleft chestnut fencing installed a couple of years back.

No matter what the location cleft chestnut always seems to fit beautifully into the landscape.

Always prefer soil to stone when installing but where needs must.

Come and lose yourself in a day of willow weaving and learn the skills to weave a hurdle of your own.
One day courses in Derbyshire & Shropshire.

The last few years have by some freak of nature always started and ended with a gate and so too this year. A little oak and hazel to start and sweet chestnut to bring it to an end.
Some gates of 2024 below and the first one of 2025!!
Designed & tailored to each customers wants & needs.

Willow season has begun and nice to finish the year with a sweet little one. A nice contrast with some beautiful Derbyshire dry stone walling. Woven in situ means it can adapt to the land.

Time to rest up for a little while & wish you all a very Merry Christmas and whatever brings you happiness 😌x

First post and lovely blue skies to celebrate~weaving a hazel hurdle in situ.
Putting the final pieces in and interlocking top rods starting from the rights. The hurdle is woven with a slight slope so once the final weave is in it all levels itself off perfectly. Old ways working beautifully 👌🏻