Basket Men Of Sussex (1929)

Down in Herstmonceaux, Sussex, a little colony of trugmakers still make up the old fashioned ash and willow L, S of a man standing on the back of a horse and cart laying down long pieces of wood on a large pile in front of a house. The horse in front has a nosebag. M, S of man sawing the end off a log he is smoking a pipe. Two other men are at work behind him. M, S of several men working away at pieces of wood (this is all taking place out of doors with lots of wood piled everywhere. ) Closer shot of two men preparing the willow. They look quite smart for craftsmen (Vneck jumpers and ties ) C, U of man slicing willow. The result is a thin bendy piece of willow. He bends it for the camera. The wood is heated in an outdoor kiln then bent around a wooden frame. We see how the traditional basket is constructed through various stages. Nails are banged in, wood is trimmed etc. A finished basket is presented to the camera. Other, smaller baskets are held up too. L, S of the me