Mark Topping

Hello!

Willow is wonderful material. Every year pollarded or coppiced trees produce long, strong rods which are supple enough for weaving. From the earliest times willow has been used for making containers and structures of all sorts. It is being rediscovered today as we realise the importance of sustainability.

I’m Mark Topping. Working with this natural substance and weaving it into something useful and beautiful is extremely satisfying. At Forest Willow, in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, I make animal sculptures to decorate the garden or home and run workshops for adults and children. I also travel to install hurdles and living willow designs.

If you’re interested in any of my willow work then please contact me:

Email forestwillow@phonecoop.coop

Telephone 01594 840 086

Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire

© 2010 Forest Willow. All rights reserved.
Website design by ellipsis images.

Sculptures Hurdles Living Willow Workshops

My sculptures have a sense of life and movement about them. Animal sculptures can create what seems like a living presence in an area of the garden. Big installations can be a major feature in a garden design.

Birds, fish, mammals and insects or abstract shapes can be made to order for your garden or home.

Beautiful woven willow fencing. Hurdles are attractive as boundaries and borders and as screens to hide fuel tanks or compost. Any length or shape can be made, from 1ft to 6ft high. Solidly constructed with a high volume of rods these structures last for years.

You can design your own special features: windows, waves and curves are all possible! Sculptures and living willow features can also be worked into a design.

Living willow structures make really enjoyable features in a garden. Tunnels and roundhouses are great for imaginative play; arbours provide a sheltered space for a coffee and a read.

Arbours, arches, tunnels, roundhouses, fedges and hedges; tailor-made for your garden. Hurdles and sculptures can be incorporated in a design.

Occasionally during the year I hold one-day courses in the Forest of Dean, in Gloucestershire. These workshops are opportunities to learn a variety of skills: basic sculpture techniques, hurdle-making, basket-making, plant-supports and climbers. Participants have the satisfaction of taking home what they’ve made during the day.

Materials, tools and good food are provided.