Wow what a fantastic evening we had officially launching to Withy Lore exhibition at the Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery. Arranged to coincide with the reopening of the entire museum, over 550 people came along to celebrate Cornwall’s rich heritage, art and stories. Most importantly for us was that so many of the withy pot makers we’ve spent time with this past year came along. Amongst the general celebratory hubbub there were some great withy chats between pot makers and withy enthusiasts.
It’s been a huge job devising and curating the Withy Lore exhibition and a joy to work alongside artist Anna Pope. It was only when we saw people looking at the exhibition that we could quite believe we’d managed it! Despite our best planning, a few withy pots only just made it in time. Though it has to be said that Richard Ede arriving with his trailer full of pots and parading them through the masses to the gallery brought a certain something to the event!
Nigel’s story about making Corky Baban’s in Cadgwith
Withy Lore Family Day
Next up for us is a Withy Lore Family Day, which takes place this Saturday 15th March from 11-3pm. Join us for a fun-filled few hours of crafting and storytelling based around the Withy Lore exhibition. We’ll have 3 activities on offer-
Withy Pot Barnacles – Add to the withy pot barnacle installation by weaving with found plastics.
Corky Baban Making – Make your own corky baban using willow and words. Cast your wish to sail back home with you.
Withy Pot Detectives – Become a withy pot detective and investigate the characteristics of withy pots through tracing and looking.
You can book a place here.
A huge thanks to…
We’d like to express our deep thanks to the people that have made this project possible. A huge thanks goes to…
To the withy pot makers who have shared their stories, time, pots and skills with us.
To Aaron Grigg, Tom Chambers and Barry Mundy who have helped pass the skill on to younger generations (us included!)
To the Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery for providing us with the space and trust to host the first Withy Lore exhibition.
To Kresen Kernow for archiving the oral histories.
To Geraldine Jones for opening her beautiful willow garden to us.
To Marc and Simon from Cornwall Collage for supporting their students to be involved with the project.
To Marazion Primary School for getting involved and welcoming us in for a day of story and weaving.
To Beshlie Pool for her support and enthusiasm.
To Harvey’s and Sons in Newlyn for allowing us to freeze objects in their freezer.
To all the people who have kindly volunteered time on the project.
Finally to our funders, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, FEAST Cornwall, Cornwall Community Foundation, the St.Aubyn Foundation and the Fishmongers’ Company’s Fisheries Charitable Trust.
