Our Amazing Willow Bike!!

We were given a old racing bike from a local scheme who teach some of our students how to fix and re-build bikes.

With the skills of our Technology teacher the brakes were removed from the bike and a stand was made to support the bike in the ground.

Putting some holes into the ground for the willow.

One of our students makes sure the bike is sturdy and won't fall over.

The willow is put into the holes and carefully wrapped around the bike.

We made willow circles to attach to the wheels.

We learnt that willow comes in many different colours, yellow, orange, black, brown, green and a lovely dark red.

Some willow is much more flexible than others.

A green willow circle was made for a front light

And a red willow circle for the back light.

We decided to try to make a man to sit on the bike.  Willow was plaited to make arms and a cone shape was made for the body.

It was fairly tricky to get everything attached together but we managed it in the end,

Some of the willow will take root and grow, other parts will change colour as the sculpture ages.

We even made a cycle helmet for the willow man using the skills that we learnt this morning.

Thanks Ruth from Sylvan Skills and Sarah from The RHS we had a great morning and learnt lots of new skills.  Our willow bike and willow dome both look fantastic.