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20 February 2023

Basket-making, one of the most ancient of all crafts, is enjoying a welcome revival; the skills, materials, forms, and history are being valued, rescued, and passed on. Oak spelks originate in South Cumbria and were used in mines, farms, and homes, but today make beautiful laundry, wool, fruit or garden baskets. Traditionally made by basketmen, as here in Backbarrow, Lorna Singleton is today one of just two makers of spelks (or 'swills') in the Lake District.

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