Corn dolly making, straw work, and straw plaiting are endangered heritage crafts. You will be learning some traditional straw plaiting and corn dolly making methods, and using long-stemmed heritage wheat to create your own Christmas angel. You will also be able to make some traditional Christmas straw stars that you can either string into a garland, adding Christmas spices, or leave them as individual decorations for your Christmas tree.
About your tutor
Lucy Hook-Child
Lucy is a an artist, teacher and straw worker. Lucy grew up in rural north Essex where she has always been inspired by the folklore and customs of the countryside. She has fond memories of making corn dollies at her village school as a child. Lucy has a long family history along the Essex/Suffolk border, where many of her ancestors worked the fields, and some were even straw plaiters in the mid 1800s.
Lucy is an experienced lecturer of art and design and has been working with straw since 2023 after discovering that corn dolly making and straw work are on the Heritage Crafts Red List of Endangered Crafts. She is a member of both Heritage Crafts, and Straw Craftsmen, and now teaches straw work around East Anglia.
You can find her on social media: @corndollyfolklore
www.corndollyfolklore.co.uk
About Flatford Mill
We have four buildings that are used for visitor accommodation. Whilst most rooms are either en-suite or have a dedicated bathroom, there are some rooms in The Mill that share showers and toilets at the end of the hall. If this is un-suitable for you please make the office staff aware upon booking or as soon as possible.
Please be aware that you are visiting a Field Centre that caters in the main for school parties; the accommodation is basic and dormitory style, but warm and comfortable.
Explore our range of craft courses and traditional skills courses hosted by our engaging tutors and learn from their expertise and skills. Our art courses are a chance to meet like-minded people and a chance to unwind from everyday life. They are a great opportunity to experience the UK’s glorious countryside surrounding our field centres.
This course is open to participants aged 18 and over only. For under-18s, please contact the centre directly or see our young people courses and activities for families.
What's Included
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Expert Tuition -
Free Wi-Fi -
Hot and Cold Drinks
Before You Attend
What to bring
You do not need to bring anything with you; all tools and materials will be provided. Including straw, thread, ribbon, twine and Christmas spices
Opportunities to attend this course
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Tue 08, December 2026 09:30 - 13:00
