Rush matting
Hand weaving and sewing rushes into mats, log baskets, tableware, hats and bags.
| Status | Endangered |
| Craft category | |
| Historic area of significance | Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire |
| Area currently practised | Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire |
| Origin in the UK | |
| Current no. of professionals (main income) | 6-10 |
| Current no. of professionals (sideline to main income) |
|
| Current no. of trainees | |
| Current total no. serious amateur makers |
1-5 |
| Current total no. of leisure makers |
51-100 |
| Minimum no. of craftspeople required |
History
It is likely that most people who lived near a river with rush growing would have worked it. Historically, there is a significant tradition in Bedfordshire where the rush was harvested all along the river Great Ouse by a team and taken back to Pavenham to be worked. Their matting went into the houses of Parliament and major cathedrals. Their baskets were sold in Harrods and other major shops.
After the First World War the tradition died for a while but was resurrected in the 1940s by a Mrs Morgan on a very small scale. Felicity Irons BEM took over the rush cutting from Tom Arnold in Holywell whose family had been cutting rush since the 1700s. When he died the craft would have disappeared without Felicity taking it on and continuing the tradition.
Techniques
- 9 end flat weave – a form of plaiting woven wet and when dry it can be hand sewn with a large needle and jute twine.
Local forms
Sub-crafts
Issues affecting the viability of the craft
Support organisations
Craftspeople currently known
Other information
References
- Ferrier, Lorraine, (23 July 2018) ‘The Fate of Rush Matting in the Hands of Felicity Irons’, Epoch Times
