Mark Bushell is back again for his famous local basket weaving workshops! Discover the ancient craft of basket weaving with Mark and take part in a session - taster sessions and more advanced session available. Call in to see Mark weaving his stunning works of art and learn more about one of the oldest and widest spread crafts in the history of civilization. Mark is from a family of basket weavers so will have plenty of stories to tell about the tradition and his family’s heritage. Mark will guide you through so you can make your very own pieces of art. Drop in between 11am and 5pm Monday - Friday through February and Mark will also be in the shop during the Community apothecary residency in March too.

Basket weaving was once practiced widely in Walthamstow due to the availability of willow and rushes on the wetlands. However, with the arrival of mass produced plastics in the late 1950's the craft has been all but lost.

Marks Grandfather, Thomas Sage was a master basket maker whose family ran a basket works at No 869 Leabridge Road until the late 1960's. Tom moved to Leigh-on- Sea in the 1930's where he ran his own basket shop with his son and daughter (Marks mother).

Taster sessions are £15 to take part.