SANDFORD Millennium Green fairly buzzed with activity when a “willow bashing” morning was held on Sunday, February 26.

When the Green was created, most of the willows had been planted for their range of colour. Even though people had taken a fair bit for their own use, large piles were still left.

Not only for basket making and weaving, willow can be used in the garden as plant supports because if it is thick enough it can be put in upside down and should not root.

It can also be used for fencing and, again, if it is not to grow, can be fairly easily removed each year.

What was not taken has been left for people to help themselves.

“We always need more helpers for clearing, seasonal work.

“It is a fantastic place, you could be learning new skills, sharing skills, having fun and there is always a tea break with cakes,” said one person.

Among the group working on Sunday morning was Jonathan Dymond, now living in Exeter who used to live in Sandford, has worked on the Green since its creation and always returns to help.

Jonathan is doing his Masters at Exeter University in Experimental Archaeology - and that includes looking at willow.

As an undergraduate, he read an Environmental and Art course that included dry stone walling, hedge laying, cob building and that got him into learning about willow in an archaeological context.

Where previously Jonathan had been looking at willow with an artistic eye, now it is about how the material was used and the ancient art of coppicing.

He said a flint could have been used to cut the wood. In this area the flint would be likely to have come from Beer but there is evidence of people selling flints from other areas as well as the stones to be worked.

Jonathan is finding out more about how willow was used and whether it could have been used as were string and cloth to wrap around pottery to create decorations. He said this is the earliest evidence we have of cloth.

Sandford Millennium Green was created after a group of people from Sandford were concerned about the danger of walking or cycling along the road between the village and Crediton.

That was more than 20 years ago. That “crazy” idea resulted in the safe route in a lovely setting, but that still needs managing. There are monthly workshop days which are listed on the notice board on the Green, or contact Linda or Charlie on 01363 772691.

It lends itself to a huge range of uses which so far have included foraging walks, Forest School groups, dog shows, music festivals, parish picnics, weddings, primary school “welly walks”, dog walking, Rural Skills workshop and more.

Sue Read