Testimonials

Workshops and commissions

"Thank you so much for a wonderful 2 days. I can't think of anything which has given me so much pleasure for ages. I look at the basket and am amazed that I made it."
Sue Haynes

"I have spent two afternoons with Mary in her beautiful new workshop, a perfect setting with beautiful views of her lovely garden. Really light and airy with the doors open but look forward to a session in the colder days with her newly installed little wood burner glowing. Mary is very engaging and an excellent teacher, time flys by, challenging but amazingly relaxing her knowledge of willow is fascinating. This week I made a garden support which I am so proud of. Mary said working with willow becomes addictive and I certainly agree, I can’t wait to get going again.”
Meg - Plant supports

"I really enjoyed the alternative Christmas tree willow making workshop - great fun and created a stunning tepee tree which looked lovely in our house and has garnered admiration via Facebook and real visitors. It's still in our house, covered with lights and flowers - we like it so much we're going to give it a seasonal theme through the year.

Mary was a really good teacher and made us great lunch and drinks too!"
Sophie

"Thank you for my lovely garden fence. It's just what I imagined when I first thought about what I wanted for that space. It's given me the privacy I wanted whilst also being a thing of beauty to look sat as well! It fits perfectly, thanks to it being tailor made, and I enjoy looking at it every time I sit in my garden." Pauline Davey

“I’ve just returned from Mary’s willow hurdle workshop at Brokerswood and have to say the day absolutely flew by and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. Mary’s a great tutor and not only helps you work on your own design at your own pace, but shares her knowledge of hazel & willow and helps with sourcing materials for your own future projects. The venue was great and Mary’s homemade soup, made from vegetables from her organic allotment was just perfect on a wet October Sunday. I am now the proud owner of a lovely, and very sturdy willow hurdle and the workshop has given me a great appetite to learn more – I’ve already put my name down for another two workshops!” Sue Cross-Bourton

Schools

In April 2013, Mary worked with the Y5/6 class at St Mary’s to create some fantastic living willow structures in our school grounds. This provided a great opportunity for parent helpers and children to work creatively together under the watchful guidance of Mary, whose balance of knowledge, skill, enthusiasm and encouragement was just right for all involved. I would definitely recommend a living willow project to other schools.
Ali McDonnell ( Y5/6 Teacher- St Mary’s Broughton Gifford Primary School, Wiltshire)

In December 2013, Mary worked with the whole school to make willow stars and spirals. Her warm and enthusiastic approach really engaged the children, and the TAs who supported them, and kept them well focused throughout the day. The children loved the challenge of creating their very own Christmas decorations and were all very proud of what they had achieved.
Ali McDonnell (Teacher – St Mary’s Primary School, Wiltshire)

I don’t usually like art, but the willow spirals were really interesting to make because actually they’re quite mathematical. (Y6 pupil- St Mary’s Primary School, Wiltshire)

The Head Teacher of Christchurch School, Frome about a recent bespoke project;
‘The willow tree looks absolutely stunning. It has been commented on by so many
people already. Positioning it where we have ties together the original school with the new build! It was a pleasure to provide an opportunity for the children to work with an artist using natural materials’.

And what the children had to say;
‘I felt very proud to be involved in this project, every time I walk by I touch the tree as it feels so smooth’
‘It looks like a real tree and reminds me of nature’
‘I enjoyed it and it actually looks like a real tree’

Here’s what some of the children from Beckington School had to say about their experience;
‘It was a good experience. I enjoyed trying something new.’ (Ruby, Y4)
‘It was an amazing thing’(Charlotte, Y2)
‘It was fantastic making the star’ (Titus, Y2)