February 2012

Harvesting, grading, and bundling of the new crop is complete, and stock available is listed below.

Daphnoides: nice rods but a little scabby towards the tip (insect damage and die-back), so available at 10% discount.

• 1 bundle @ 2ft - (19.80)
• 150 @ 2ft - (£3.70)
• 130 @ 5ft - (£7.30)

Goldstones: strong green rods.

• 450 @ 2ft - (£12.30)
• 1 bundle @ 3ft - (£25.00)
• 160 @ 3ft - (£6.60)
• 1 bundle @ 4ft - (£25.00)
• 230 @ 5ft - (£14.30)

Noire de Villaines: as usual with this variety there is a 'wave' through the length of the rod, most noticeable in longer lengths.

• 270 @ 2ft - (£7.40)
• 500 @ 3ft - (£20.80)
• 1 bundle @ 4ft - (£25.00)
• 60 @ 4ft - (£3.00)
• 1 bundle @ 5ft - (£25.00)
• 80 @ 5ft - (£5.00)
• 200 @ 6ft - (£14.60)
• 35 @ 7ft - (£3.00)

Whissender: lovely straight rods, dark-chocolate in colour.

• 420 @2ft - (£11.50)
• 1 bundle @ 3ft - (£25.00)
• 140 @ 3ft - (£5.80)
• 220 @ 4ft - (£11.00)
• 330 @ 5ft - (£20.60)
• 1 bundle @ 6ft - (£22.00)
• 130 @ 6ft - (£9.50)

Zwarte Driebast: good beefy rods suitable for larger baskets and structures.

• 220 @ 2ft - (£6.00)
• 300 @ 3ft - (£12.40)
• 350 @ 4ft - (£17.50)
• 300 @ 5ft - (£18.70)
• 1 @ 6ft - (£22.00) In half-bundles
• 60 @ 6ft - (£4.30)
• 1 @ 7ft - (£22.00) In half-bundles
• 90 @ 7ft - (£7.90)

Flanders Red: fine rods, nice and straight.

• 480 @ 2ft - (£13.20)
• 200 @ 3ft - (£8.30)

Red Lonning: just one small bundle left of this variety - as with the Daphnoides, a little scabby at the tip, hence a 10% discount.

• 630 @ 2ft - (£15.60)

Green Dicks and Elegantissima are not available this time.

 

 

Nothing to do with willow, but anyone keen on traditional countryside crafts may be interested in the following:

A Solitary Trade

The Art and Craft of Dry Stone Walling

by Robert Drake

As a craftsman, Robert Drake knows his trade inside out. He has a deep respect for his material and the long traditions of his craft. He is aware of the world about him, of a stillness and a solitude and a timelessness which few of us these days are able to experience. This is a beautiful and perceptive book. (Steve Matthews, Bookcase)

This would be the ideal book for attendees at dry stone walling courses, to reinforce what they have learned. They will find it invaluable. (Nick Aitken, Dry Stone Walling Association)

Paperback 98pp ISBN 9781904147381

Available to order online or by phone from Bookcase, £8.00 plus p&p

Tel:01228 544560____www.bookscumbria.com

or from the author, £8.75 inc p&p - please make cheque or postal order payable to 'Robert Drake'.

Also: A Line On Stone - a collection of poems (not available from Bookcase), paperback 66pp ISBN 0951758101. £3.50, or both books £12 inc p&p.