Object number
68/201/1-2
Description
Osier bats, levers and ropes were all used to tie bundles of osiers (basket willows) into bolts – a traditional measure of osiers – for despatch to basketmaking firms. These two ropes came from the Excell Brothers, a family firm of osier growers in Ruscombe, Berkshire, which closed in 1950.
Archival history
Cultivation of osiers was started at Ruscombe, Berkshire, in the 1860s or 1870s by Benjamin Excell (1823–1899) at Lakes Farm on Waltham Road. It was a family business, and was subsequently run by his sons Harry, Edward and John ‘Jack’ (1856–1895), and his grandsons. The willows were grown in beds in Southbury Lane, Ruscombe, and also at Caversham and Borough Marsh in the early days. They were cut during the winter and were stood in old gravel pits near Ruscombe Crossroads until they were ready for peeling in April or May. Many local women and children used to work for 2d or 3d an hour peeling willow. Albert Excell (Benjamin’s grandson), along with his brother Jack (1892–1981) took over the business in 1939 and ran it until fall in demand and scarcity of workers forced the business to close in 1950. All of the family helped out throughout the generations.
Production date
1950
Object name
Associated subject
Associated person/institution
External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\Baskets\68_199-203_doc_01.tif - High resolution image
- L:\MERL\Objects\Baskets\68_199-203_doc_02.tif - High resolution image
- L:\MERL\Objects\Baskets\68_199-203_doc_03.tif - High resolution image
- L:\MERL\Objects\Baskets\68_199-203_doc_04.tif - High resolution image
- L:\MERL\Objects\Baskets\68_199-203_doc_05.tif - High resolution image
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_9833.tif - High resolution image
