Withy pots also known as willow pots, lobster pots and crab pots are my first trap to explore for this exciting project! An easy choice, considering I live in Penzance, not too far from historic Cornish fishing towns and villages, such as Newlyn, Mousehole, Penberth and Porthleven.
My partner has a strong family connection with the fishing industry here, which I'm looking forward to learning more about :) however these beautiful baskets were/are not only made in Cornwall! but also in Devon, Ireland, Normandy and Brittany (where my partners father, who was a fisherman most of his life, now lives).
I have found a few videos on lobster pots being made during the 30's and 40's which I thought I must share! They are just amazing! I especially like the quote from the ‘’Pot’’ Girls film ‘When is a pot not a pot? When it’s a lobster pot – for it really is a basket - !.’
I hope you enjoy the films as much as I do :)