Come and learn the heritage skills of straw plaiting at Wycombe Museum – experience the working lives of women and children who plaited straw for the local hat industry in the 1800s.

The morning and afternoon workshops will feature an introductory talk and demonstrations before participants learn some simple plaiting techniques.

The workshops will be led by experienced straw plaiters Veronica Main MBE (www.hatplait.co.uk) and Heather Beeson. Veronica is one of the leading plaiters in the UK, and was formerly plaiter in residence at the Wardown House Museum and Gallery in Luton. She has recently been awarded an MBE for her work with straw plaiting.

Timings and Details:

• There is a morning, and an afternoon session, for different levels:
• The morning workshop (10am-1pm) will be for beginners who will learn how to plait a length of basic three-end plait, including joining new ends into the plait. No experience required.
• The afternoon workshop (2-5pm) is for those who have been on the morning session, attended a previous course or who have mastered the three-end plait, including joining. If you have this experience, book on to learn the basic seven-end plait.
• All materials provided
• Not suitable for people with allergies to straw dust
• 16 places available in each session
• Not suitable for children under 10 years of age – children must be accompanied by a paying adult
• Tea/coffee/juice/biscuits will be provided
• Toilets and café on site should you fancy staying afterwards for a snack or lunch)
• And, don’t forget to visit our Hidden Hands exhibition!

Cost: £9 adult; £5 children and students

Image © Veronica Main.

Part of our Hidden Hands: Women and Work in the Chilterns exhibition events programme.