5+

Years
with Yell

Wayside Willow

Where learning takes shape.

The Saints Cafe Newdegate St, Nuneaton, CV11 4ED Directions

   Now closed Open today 09:00 - 17:00

Why Choose Us?

School Groups Welcome
Years of Experience
Well Established

Business overview

Leading craft sessions in schools, businesses and various groups, teaching willow craft skills; leaving learners with artwork to anchor their experience. Commissions undertaken.

Wayside Willow: Leading new learners to ancient craft skills.

Chaz Friend - a teacher of over twenty years experience - primarily leads willow workshops in schools, enabling children to weave their own willow item that they will want to keep for many years. As well as making individual pieces, children can also work collaboratively to create large scale sculptures as part of designing activities or to enhance the school grounds. Metal frameworks are created as skeletons for these sculptural structures.

These teaching skills in willow also cross over to private events such as birthdays and anniversaries or corporate events such as team building days.

Living willow is a specialist skill engaged from February to early April to create living willow domes, tunnels and arbours.

Commissions for gardens and public spaces are also undertaken.

Photos

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Demonstration of a fence panel making technique.
A reflective seat enclosed by 2 angel wings - created for Catalyst Festival 2016
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This picture shows the development of this dome at a Leicestershire school over the six months since its installation.
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This picture shows 4 months growth of this structure at a school in Cornwall.
Sculptural work with a group of Year 9s at a school in Hampshire.
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Beautifully shaded living willow tunnel in a Cornish school, in its first year of growth.
An experimental installation at a school in Coalville, Leicestershire.
A workshop; run during their annual
This image montage shows some fence panels and fish made at Charnwood 2016.
Steamed and Black Maul varieties of willow working together to keep the birds dry and well fed.
Metal frame, weaved around to make a large fish for the wall of a Coventry C of E school.
Cross for school wall in Coventry
Dome in the finishing stages of installation.
Small den for a garden.
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Sculpture, which was part of a development of a neglected area of a school in Coventry.
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This robust and distinctive basket can be used as a garden trug or shopping basket.
This attractive oval willow shoulder bag in different coloured willow has a good capacity for multiple uses. Its stylish appearance will suit both formal and informal uses. This item has been included in the repertoire of my taught courses at Saints or as your own private course.
This living willow tunnel needed a good taming this year. Living willow needs maintenance once a year to keep the shape. It’s well worth the investment of time.

Products & Services

ART & DESIGN SCHOOLS

CORPORATE EVENTS

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS

PRIMARY SCHOOLS

SCHOOL WORKSHOPS

STORY TELLING

TEAMBUILDING

WILLOW CRAFTS COVENTRY

WILLOW CRAFTS LEICESTER

WILLOW WORKSHOPS

WILLOW WORKSHOPS COVENTRY

WILLOW WORKSHOPS IN DERBY

WILLOW WORKSHOPS LEICESTER

WORKSHOP ACTIVITIES

BASKET AND SCULPTURAL COMMISSIONS

SEASONALLY LIVING WILLOW INSTALLATIONS

ONLINE COURSES AVAILABLE

Credentials

Qualifications

  • Education, BSc (University Level Qualification)

Reviews

Willow Weaving with a Christmas twist - what a wonderful way to start the season

5
My place at the Christmas Workshop was a birthday present from my daughter, and what a super present it turned out to be.
The setting, in a lovely light and airy side room of The Saints Café, was very convenient with parking close by and refreshments, including refillable hot drinks, easily accessible. The staff were very attentive to ensure we were comfortable.
Chaz was very good at communicating his enthusiasm for willow weaving and his patient and engaging instruction meant all four workshop participants were able to produce some super Christmassy items over the course of the day - in my case an angel, three trees and a star. All materials and tools were provided, along with some Christmas treats which were appreciated.
I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop and would have no hesitation in booking again.
06 Dec 2022
Thank you so much for this beautifully written and so full and thorough review. It is so kind of you to take so much trouble and I am thrilled that you had such a good time on the course.
06 Dec 2022
Thank you so much for this beautifully written and so full and thorough review. It is so kind of you to take so much trouble and I am thrilled that you had such a good time on the course.
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Christmas willow weaving

5
The workshop was well prepared and the instructions were excellent.
There was a friendly atmosphere and with just 4 students there was no waiting around. The day exceeded expectations.
06 Dec 2022
Thank you so much for taking the time out to write this kind review. I really appreciate it so much!
06 Dec 2022
Thank you so much for taking the time out to write this kind review. I really appreciate it so much!
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School Willow Weaving Workshop

5
Our school collaborated with Wayside Willow to design and make a large willow sculpture for our school grounds. Chaz listened to our (indecisive) wishes and put his expertise into the creative process. Communications were speedy. His patience and professionalism with our students (and me) was appreciated. Chaz went over and above to make sure the artwork was finished to a high standard, and we’re so proud of our sculpture. I would most definitely work with Chaz again and would recommend you to do the same.
01 Dec 2022
Emma, Thank you so much for this kind and very detailed review. It’s a delight to me that your sculpture meant so much to you. Chaz
01 Dec 2022
Emma, Thank you so much for this kind and very detailed review. It’s a delight to me that your sculpture meant so much to you. Chaz
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Very enjoyable morning.

5
After a lot of false starts to a mothers day present of a willow workshop - covid, work, timings, covid, work.......a date was finally found and Chaz provided me with a one to one workshop to make the birdfeeder, the birds love it! Because of all the problems through the year, he also provided me with a workshop with others, to make Christmas trees and reindeer which was great. Whilst you concentrate on weaving willow, there is no time to let anything else bother you. Chaz has endless patience it seems to explain and put right where weave goes adrift. A very enjoyable experience.
01 Dec 2022
Thank you, Jill, for this most lovely review. I’m so grateful to you for taking the time out to do this for me. I’m really glad you enjoyed your willow weaving experiences. Chaz
01 Dec 2022
Thank you, Jill, for this most lovely review. I’m so grateful to you for taking the time out to do this for me. I’m really glad you enjoyed your willow weaving experiences. Chaz
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Beginners Basket making Workshop

5
Another very enjoyable session with Chaz this time beginners basket making, Chaz is a very knowledgeable, patient tutor - we will be back again
Jackie
10 Mar 2022
Thanks so much for this review, Jackie. I’m so glad that you intend to come back and I look forward to seeing you again some time! Chaz
10 Mar 2022
Thanks so much for this review, Jackie. I’m so glad that you intend to come back and I look forward to seeing you again some time! Chaz
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