The Willow Bank

20/01/2026

Click any thumbnail to enlarge Living Willow Day Courses £75 Suitable for beginners. Learn a new practical skill. Ideal winter training for professional gardeners. It is a constant source of amazement just how many creative things you can do with a humble Willow stick. Here at The Willowbank we hav...

20/01/2026

We are delighted to announce that courses are now open for booking, have a look, any questions send us a message! 🙂

Click any thumbnail to enlarge Living Willow Day Courses £75 Suitable for beginners. Learn a new practical skill. Ideal winter training for professional gardeners. It is a constant source of amazement just how many creative things you can do with a humble Willow stick. Here at The Willowbank we hav...

10/07/2025

🌿 Willow Obelisk Making Course 🌿
Join us at beautiful Ragmans Lane Farm on Saturday 27th September, 10am–4pm, for a hands-on day of creativity in the countryside!

We've teamed up with expert basket maker Lin Powell for a one-day workshop hosted by The Willow Bank. You’ll learn how to craft your own willow obelisk – perfect for sweet peas, beans, or even as a unique alternative Christmas tree! 🎄✨

All materials and tools provided along with hot drinks and homemade cake 😍
📍 Ragmans Lane Farm
📅 Saturday 27th September
🕙 10am–4pm
💷 £85 for the day
📧 To book: [email protected]

Spaces are limited – come weave some magic with us! 🌱

30/06/2025

We were pleased to host Dr Lindsay Whistance and Christian from the onto the farm to collect willow samples as part of her ongoing research into incorporating tree fodder into grazing systems.

Willow offers more than just forage though! Containing salicylic acid and condensed tannins (anti inflammatory properties and anthelmintic properties) this helps reduce parasite loads in ruminants.

Interestingly, current research is exploring how willow is helping to buffer trace element imbalances, particularly cobalt deficiencies which is relatively common in lambs in the UK.

The willow harvested will be analysed in the lab, the samples will then be monitored to see if the mineral contents rise or decline through either the drying phase or during the conversion to silage.

19/03/2025

Good day today with Kim Louise Fletcher 😊

16/02/2025

Please support this event if you can by donating or sharing and spreading the LOVE! Many thanks...

Hi, We are Netty, Kim, Donna and Carine, We are based at Ragmans Lane Farm… Carine Van Gestel needs your support for Give Ragmans Lane Farm a Helping Hand

02/01/2025

🌿☀️ Happy New Year from all of us here at The Willow Bank ☀️🌿

After what seems like weeks of being shrouded in mist and fog the sun is shining on the willow beds today and the ground frosty. Perfect harvesting weather! Even Jeff (Willow Bank Support Officer) is enjoying himself down the fields ☺️

11/12/2024

🌿The willow season is well underway!🌿

This is an installation Carine and Netty carried out near Gloucester. A long 20 metre arch constructed over a public footpath!

31/05/2024

This is a fabulous opportunity.... This foundation does such good work!

This is a great chance to get involved with an organisation and sector that is growing fast and join a dynamic team striving to improve the Wye and Usk and their catchments. We are at the forefront of practical environmental management and the development of new approaches. WUF are seeking new people to help us do this.

Location: WUF Offices, Talgarth and home working
Salary: £26,000 to £32,000 pa depending on experience, plus pension and life assurance
Hours: 37.5 hours/week. Flexitime and time off in lieu system in place, 24 days annual leave (pro-rata) plus bank holidays.

Objective of the role: Support with the development, feasibility and implementation of NbS (including wetlands and natural flood management), mapping of NbS opportunities, and working with land managers and farmers to identify opportunities for NbS on their land.

Application process: Please send your CV and a covering letter telling us why you are suitable for this role and why you are applying to: [email protected]

Closing date: 9am Monday 10th June Interview date: Thursday 13th June (tbc)

https://www.wyeuskfoundation.org/job-vacancies/

18/03/2024

Exciting community project by one of our customers. Do go along to the opening if you are able on the afternoon of the 4th of May.

18/01/2024

Mature willow coppice trees on the edge of the pond reflected in the water...One of the joys of working outside 🧡