Weaving a spell

Brampton Willows has been constructing handcrafted willow fencing, sculptures and structures across the gardens of Suffolk and Norfolk for almost 40 years. We talk to owner, Louis Champain, of award-winning garden design and landscaping business Champain Landscapes, to find out what magic he intends to weave in 2023.

Brampton Willows was originally founded by Robert Yates, a chartered surveyor who returned to Suffolk to run his family farm just outside Halesworth. A forward-thinking man, Robert decided to plant several acres of unproductive marshy land with willow beds, known as osiers, which he harvested and sold to a local basket maker. Before long, Robert began to experiment with weaving the willow rods himself and in 1988, he set up the company, specialising in creating bespoke willow fencing and one-off designs. A skilled craftsman, his work was highly sought after and he undertook a variety of interesting projects, including weaving huge wave-like cross-country jumps at both Burghley and Badminton Horse Trials.

Louis bought the business off Robert in 2019, having worked with him previously on several bespoke garden designs with his company Champain Landscapes. As well as retaining the contract to use the willow harvested from the original 18-acre site, Louis also inherited a very skilled workforce including Darren Jordan, who, with 17 years’ experience, has become an invaluable right-hand man. “Being able to maintain the ethos of a sustainable, local business with a low carbon footprint is important to all of us at Brampton Willows and having Darren’s extensive knowledge and skill has been invaluable.” This inherent understanding of the nature and versatility of the willow has allowed Louis to build the beautiful strong garden structures and contemporary designs that Brampton Willows is renowned for.

There are several varieties of willow favoured for weaving and Brampton Willows uses the dramatically named Noire de Villaine, a fast-growing French basketry willow with wonderful glossy unbranched olive-brown rods, and Black Maul, a versatile willow with strong, even rods. Willow has a one-year growing cycle and is harvested between

November and April, the 6-8 foot rods being coppiced at ground level and then collected into bolts. This freshly cut ‘green’ willow can be used straightaway, but the bolts can also be stored for several months and just need soaking in water troughs for up to ten days to ensure they have regained their pliancy and suppleness before being woven into fences or garden structures.

Louis has ambitious plans for the company, which now works in close collaboration with his other business, Champain Landscapes, together transforming the gardens of many homes across East Anglia. Last year, alongside designer Frederic Whyte, the team won a Silver Medal at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show for ‘The Stitchers’ Garden’ which was commissioned by Fine Cell, a local charity that teaches prisoners needlework to nurture and encourage their self-worth and independence. The main feature of the garden was a simple structure constructed from steel and woven willow panels that replicated the exact dimensions of a prison cell. “It was an amazing experience for all of us and allowed us to really push ourselves and come up with fresh contemporary designs that were relevant to the overall ethos of the garden, and it is this concept that we want to convey in all our future designs.”

Brampton Willows already has a reputation for outstanding craftmanship, and all of their fences and structures are woven on site as one continuous piece. Not only does this give them a seamless finish, it also allows for the designs to evolve, as they can be moulded to fit every dip and turn of the natural landscape. Their signature weave is also unique as it is more compacted, the bands of willow being compressed at regular intervals, resulting in a high-quality fence or structure that is ultimately stronger and more durable than a standard willow fence and should easily last 15-20 years. www.bramptonwillows.com

Willow weaving is an ancient craft, and it is therefore so refreshing to see the tradition being kept alive with so much integrity and passion. The quality of their work is exceptional, and Louis is looking forward to working on more bespoke sculptural designs and structures this year. Designs that will stretch the imagination and skill of his team, as they need to work in perfect harmony with the natural surroundings of their setting - but always with a defining contemporary twist.