Learn to craft a beautiful hanging woven 'bauble' decorations and festive stars from locally-grown willow, using traditional techniques.

Tutor: Julie Gurr

Join us and learn how to craft your own natural, woven Christmas decorations on this half-day workshop at Rye Harbour Discovery Centre.

Experienced weaver, Julie Gurr, will teach you how to weave four or five of your own pieces to take home. You'll make hanging willow 'baubles', using a technique traditionally used to make corn dollies, as well as festive stars. You'll also discover a little about growing and preparing willow for weaving.

Previous willow weaving workshop attendees said:

"Loved learning something new and teacher very supportive and patient. Great fun and sociable in lovely surroundings."

"So pleased with my final product! Really helpful instructor."

All the willow you'll use is grown locally, without chemicals, and you 'll get an opportunity to learn about growing, harvesting and preparing willow for weaving.

With no more than eight participants, you'll get plenty of individual instruction and support. To weave the willow, you'll need some hand strength and precision.

Julie Gurr has over 20 years of experience as a basket weaver and grows her own willow in East Sussex. See her website (https://www.willowweaver.com/) and her Instagram page (https://www.instagram.com/juliegurrwillowweaver).

Included in the price: All materials as well as a hot drink and a mince pie.

Venue: Rye Harbour Discovery Centre, Harbour Road, Rye, TN31 7FW. See our website (https://sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserve/rye-harbour/) for how to find us. The Centre sits within the nature reserve and houses a cafe, serving refreshments and light lunches, a gift shop and public toilets, free wifi is available.

What to bring/wear: Sensible footwear (no open-toed sandals).

Parking: Available at Car Park, Harbour Road, Rye Harbour, Rye TN31 7TT , about a 7 minute walk from the Discovery Centre.

Accessibility: Some manual strength and dexterity is needed to weave the willow. Rye Harbour Discovery Centre is a wheelchair friendly venue, with a step-free entrance ramp and wheelchair accessible toilet facilities.

Dogs: Please note that although we welcome well-behaved dogs to the café, they are not generally permitted at our events (except assistance dogs).

Cancellation policy: Refunds are not usually available within 30 days of a scheduled event. Please read our Course and Event booking and cancellation Terms & Conditions, here (https://sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/help-advice/policies/course-and-event-bookings-terms-and-conditions/).

Contact: If you have any queries, email us at rhdcoffice@sussexwt.org.uk

Images © Julie Gurr

Description supplied by the event organiser.