Express & Star

Get crafty with willow workshops at Forest of Mercia

Visitors will get the chance to weave their own willow hen and rabbit models at a special event.

Published
Katherine Sharratt displaying one of the sculpted hens

The Forest of Mercia CIC, in Essington, is hosting the event this Sunday and the following Saturday.

David Knowles, 54, from Burntwood, runs the project along with Katherine Sharratt.

Mr Knowles said: "Our project is about helping people understand and interact with the natural environment.

"Sculpting hens and rabbits is one part of that. It's also very fun, you can certainly shock people when they see a life size hen or rabbit, which has simply been made by weaving sticks in a particular way."

Anyone can take part, but Mr Knowles said that the physical nature of the task made it more suitable to adults than children.

The site, on Hilton Lane, will be open from 9.30am-5.30pm on both dates and it will cost £35 to take part.

But Mr Knowles believes that is more than worth it to experiment with natural materials under the guidance of people who know to use them.

The seven-and-a-half acre site is part of a network called England's Community Forests, which seeks to bolster community involvement in the natural environment.

The network also sees itself as a model for green infrastructure creation and environmental regeneration in urban areas.

By George Morgan

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