Celebrating withy pots from around the South west
A bit about Withy Lore
Since 2024 myself and Storylines have been working in partnership on a project called ‘Withy Lore’. We have spent time with those involved in the withy pot craft, recording their memories, knowledge and reflections. These are celebrated through film, photography, storytelling, and art to be displayed within an exhibition context.
We launched our first exhibition at the Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery between 1st March – 30th June 2025 and it has been heart warming to hear such wonderful feedback. Due to this we are excited to be touring Withy Lore at various venues very soon!:
Withy Lore exhibition tour dates
Museum of Cornish Life - 12th September - 1st November 2025
Kresen Kernow - 8th November 2025 - 31st January 2026
National Lobster Hatchery, Padstow - 14th February - 19th
April 2026
%2C%20Sarah%20(right)_%20.jpeg)
What is a withy pot?
Until the 1960’s and 1970’s willow crab/lobster pots, known locally as withy pots, were a common sight around the South West coastline. Crafted with great skill over the winter months and cast into the sea with the hope of a good catch, these pots were a lifeline to fishermen and their families for generations. With the introduction of plastic pots, withy pot making rapidly declined and today few pot makers remain. Withy pots, naturally biodegrade, leaving behind little or no trace and many styles sadly have now been lost. This fascinating craft and its heritage, that is deeply connected to our relationship with the natural world, is now at risk of disappearing.
Withy pot illustration
At Withy Lore exhibitions you will see black and white illustrations of withy pots dotted about. The aim for these drawings is to highlight the similarities and differences between styles and also record termonology used by makers around the South West. Each of these have been done in collaboration/signed off and checked with the withy pot makers themselves!
I am delighted to have a small selection of this work inside Cornwall Museum and Art Galleries permanant display and will soon have them archived at Kresen Kernow.
To help fund this ongoing work, Risograph prints and intaglio prints are available to purchase directly from me or at exhibition venues. Some of this work has also been kindly funded by UK Governement, Konsel Kernow and The Basketmakers' Association.
Sarah and I both have experience working with members of the withy pot community through projects including Jewelwithy and Storylines Guardians of the Reef. We are really enjoying working together with members of the withy pot community, who each play an important role in shaping this project.
Anna Pope (Left) and Sarah Trevillion (right)
Withy pot styles
Traditional crab/lobster pots, also known as withy pots, vary in styles around the South West coast and their individual characteristics each tell a story. You can see a collection of withy pot photographs by clicking here or at Kresen Kernow very soon!
Opportunity for three 18-25 year olds to learn the traditional craft of withy pot making
Withy Lore will be running an exciting opportunity for three 18 - 25 year olds to try your hand at making a traditional crab/lobster pot, known as a withy pot; held over two days at the Museum of Cornish Life in Helston, Cornwall - October 31st - November 1st 2025.
This rare opportunity will allow you to learn knowledge and skills that have been passed down through the generations, from master withy pot makers. Each maker has their own style and techniques to share and to top it all off you can also see examples of these at the Withy Lore exhibition that is held in the museums gallery space!
You will not only learn about an endangered craft that has existed for centuries accross the South West coast, but also how to weave willow and tamarisk into something useable and environmentally friendly.
If you feel like this is the perfect opportunity for you, please get in touch.