Hot on the heels of the AGM it was time for Strawfest and the opportunity for straw crafters to gather in person. Largely non-digital in my connections it was a while since I had met with others to practise and learn new skills and it was pleasing to see the familiar face of Antony as I walked up the drive at the Hayes Centre.
I can only imagine the hidden background work that goes in to these events and the first indication was Heather’s system of welcoming us with a goody bag, programme and room key; site maps and ‘rules’ and joining instructions having been sent out in advance.
The Hayes is a large site, hosting several different groups at the same time and throughout the weekend we were provided with several outbursts of beautiful singing from other groups. Some of the procedures were slightly mysterious, but we got the hang of things by Sunday lunch time.
The StrawFest programme showed that we were in for a treat or two, with sessions being lead by Heather Beeson, Janine Connor, Antony Gay and Lynette Owen. So, eleven of us gathered at 6pm for dinner, to be followed by three hours of straw craft, starting with an introduction and display from Antony highlighting the harvest favours of Armagh. Heather, Janine and Antony then each took us through a different plaited favour, using the cats foot plait, a four straw fill the gap and finally a three straw ribbon or blanket stitch plait. Some of us had had long journeys and were starting to flag and by 10pm we were all still keen but ready for bed.
We were joined for the day by another member and by Rosemary Sault with her boot full of straw to replenish attendees’ supplies, both participating in the day’s activities. The weekend’s theme of plaiting continued with the making of a Cumbrian Mell – an apple harvest token requiring six lengths of plait. The design suggested by Janine gave time for plenty of practice with three pieces of diamond plait and three of glory braid. An apple was enclosed by the plaits, with beautiful splays of ears and stalks and people’s chosen apple reflecting the size of their ambition!
After a satisfying lunch it was Lynette’s turn to guide our creativity with a five straw spiral plait around a core, making a candle form chosen to symbolise the theme of being together. It’s always interesting to see the different interpretations of the same project and there were taller and shorter, fatter and thinner candles attached to a base where creativity had free reign. Christmas decorations had made an appearance but most chose to continue the autumnal feel from the morning session with acorns, leaves and moss.
Saturday morning we reassembled at 8am for breakfast and then back to our work space for 9 o’clock and another full day of activity. I’m not sure when I thought I was going to use the gym, wander among the trees or explore the labyrinth! But our workroom had plenty of natural light with views of the grounds and autumnal trees. There was space for displays of interesting straw work, the favour exchange, raffle prizes, books and entries for the Neil Thwaites Innovation Award. I was slightly concerned by the carpeted floor, but the venue staff were friendly and unfazed by the seeds and straw ends that had accumulated around our tables by Sunday afternoon.
By Saturday evening despite keenness, tiredness was setting in, but we still had Heather’s Chocolate and Cream session to come. The unveiling of the gorgeous rust dyed straw revived us (hopefully Heather will provide instructions of how to dye straw with rust in Straw Craftsmen News) and we set to making a tubular whip plait in contrasting golds and browns. Once again people’s enthusiasm took off, experimenting with pattern and different plaits including a beautiful two tone diamond plait and we still managed to get an earlier night allowing time for all the goodies so far to sink in.
Sunday provided another busy morning with plenty more to learn and celebrate, including the plaiter’s essential of tying a clove hitch with the end of the thread still attached to the reel. Heather led the session; taking us through the making of a Welsh Fan with heads on one side only. Experimenting and creativity continued with the incorporation of rusted straw by some and a technical discussion regarding the appropriate alignment of straw ear tips or nodes!
It was then time for exchanges, raffle and awards. The bending of the rules caused some confusion during the favour exchange and all had prizes from the raffle. The Brenda Smart Award for service to Straw Craftsmen was presented to Janine Connor for her work on the group’s social media accounts – Facebook and Instagram. Entries to the Neil Thwaites Innovation Award had a theme of frugalness; Heather won the anonymous vote with her picture made all from one straw and Antony was runner up creating marquetry work from leftovers of straw.
Alongside the organised sessions of the weekend; tips were shared, including Ted and Heather’s demonstration of the usefulness of giant cork bath mats, and straw work based conversations flowed. One of the topics discussed was the Craftsman Award and it was helpful when Antony drew on the Straw Craftsmen archive to show images of previous awardees’ work – several present at the weekend felt that with a little focused making the Award may be within their grasp, so perhaps at Straw in the North there will be a flurry of awards to be presented. Is it time to book your place and get plaiting?
I began my journey home with skills refreshed and inspiration aplenty, so many thanks to all who lead the sessions and to the other participants. I’m looking forward to next year’s StrawFest already.
To round off the weekend a train delay at Derby gave me time to visit the Museum of Making, where I found a display of five or six corn dollies. The only information available was that they were made by a local woman who had taught adult education classes in straw work in the area. Perhaps someone knows more about her?
Selena Chandler
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