Learning to weave (willow)

[Mike Shimwell]

I found this picture I took in the summer at a local show in northumberland. The lady was teaching children the rudiments of weaving willow in hurdles etc. I have a nice print of this one and keep returning as I like the composition and tonality, though it would be nice not have a stick through the lad's head! All thoughts welcome.

Learning to weave - Mike Shimwell

This is a quick shot of some of the winning produce - beans - at the show. This is a very serious endeavour and people spend much effort on growing the best vegetables they can

Winning beans - Mike Shimwell

Mike

 

[Asher Kelman]

Mike,

I wonder if anyone says to the bean pod grower, "Why don't you trim it like this or spray it with wax, here's the link to the product" and so forth. What brotherhood is there in these competitions?

I'm guessing it's probably much like photography except they meet and chat about it at the pub - or is that practice fading too?

asher

 

[Mike Shimwell]

Mike,

I wonder if anyone says to the bean pod grower, "Why don't you trim it like this or spray it with wax, here's the link to the product" and so forth. What brotherhood is there in these competitions?

I'm guessing it's probably much like photography except they meet and chat about it at the pub - or is that practice fading too?

asher

Hi Asher

I don't think that they wax them, but size and shape do count (perfectly straight is probably not good) and they are all beautifully presented and very clean. It is erious competition within the community - so somehting of an open secret society with gossip about unworthy winners and their 'techniques' as well as much pub banter. Pubs continue to thrive in a lot of the UK, and certainly in the North East.

I remember visiting a local pub, the Doctor Syntax (named after a champion racing horse), and a book of raffle tickets being passed round with the expectation that everyone would take part. Half an hour later we were the happy possessors of the prize. This was a decribed as a breakfast, but consisted of a huge tray of meat that was sufficient to serve about 8 hjungry men for dinner!

Mike