This exciting workshop incorporates the skill of basketmaking with the skill of bread making. You will make a willow banneton that you will use to prove your bread dough. Bannetons are handy for keeping a shape when proving dough. Then, once your bread has been baked, you will be able to serve it on the willow tension tray/platter that you will also make. Gill will guide you through the basketmaking element of the day. She is an exceptional basketmaker with a talent for sharing her passion for this heritage craft. She uses willow because it is a strong, natural material that is sustainable and widely available. She also grows her own willow enabling her to work with many exciting colours of rod which makes her work visually exciting. Gill is a keen bread maker. Jan Williams will be taking the lead for the bread making part of the workshop. Jan has many years experience of teaching young people to bake and she has also worked with willow.  This fun packed workshop will also make a wonderful gift experience if you are looking to buy a present for someone special.

During this workshop, you will:

• Handle willow safely;
• Use willow work tools correctly and safely;
• Discuss the way in which willow is prepared correctly for basketmaking;
• Use simple weaving techniques to create a willow banneton;
• Make a bread platter using the Catalan tension tray technique; 
• Use safe kitchen practice (Health & Safety; Food Safety);
• Prepare a bread dough;
• Prove your dough in your finished banneton;
• Bake your bread;
• Serve your bread on your finished tension tray/platter; and
• Discuss the care of your banneton and platter so that they provide many years of use.

At the end of this workshop, you will take home your own willow banneton and a bread tension tray/platter, as well as your own loaf of homemade bread.

The Rural Skills Centre will provide:

• All materials and equipment to make your willow Banneton, bread tray/platter and bread loaf.;
• Tea/Coffee and lots of cake;
• Lunch (let us know if you have any specific dietary requirements);
• Parking; and
• Accessible facilities.

This ‘Bread, Proving Basket and Platter’ workshop is suitable anyone with an interest in bread making and basketmaking. Also suitable for beginners.

This workshop is taught by Gill Jones and Jan Williams.