MARCH:Pollard by Lauren Beatty APRIL:Wake by Anna Hope MAY:H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald JUNE:The Detour by Gerbrand Bakker JULY:Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey AUGUST:The Beggar & the Hare by Tuamas Kyro SEPTEMBER:The Hundred Year House by Rebecca Makkai OCTOBER:Cat Out of Hell by Lyn Truss NOVEMBER:The Fly Trap by Frederik Sjoberg DECEMBER:Sworn Virgin by Elvira Dones Our December walk and talk was primarily to discuss Sworn Virgin but of course being the final walk of 2015 we reviewed our year of reading and voted for the title that we had either enjoyed the most or that had remaind strongest in our minds. Sworn Virgin met with a positive response from the majority of the group and many were pleased to have a book that finally flowed after previous titles that they felt had been enduring reads rather than a flowing pleasure. The subject was an enlightening one and raised awareness of the Albanian tradition of the ‘sworn virgin’ – women who have decided not to accept arranged marriages and so to uphold the family name live out the rest of their lives as men. This lifestyle was in no way romanticised, the life they choose, the environment and working conditions are exceptionally harsh and to be a man in the mountains you are expected to drink plenty of raki, smoke incessantly and be a crack shot with a rifle. So when Hana becomes Mark, the men respect her for these virtues that stand them apart from the women. The discussion turned to that of transgender. Hana has not become a man because she feels that she was born into the wrong body, she is still very much a woman and yet she has chosen to deny her own sexuality, and yet when she decides to live as a woman once more, the years of living androgynously are incredibly hard to shake. This was a moving and unusual book that shone a light onto the contratss of rural and city dwellers during the closing years of communism in Albania. Sworn Virgin is a book that the group agreed that they would all recommend. And so to the standout titles of 2015: Our top recommendation comes as no surprise and along with the rest of the reading nation is H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald. The Detour came a close second for its sense of suspense and wonderful atmosphere. Another member chose Cat Out of Hell as their top read, and Sworn Virgin was another first favourite from the year’s list. Top proof recommendation is We are all Made of Molecules by Susan Nielson, which is due out in paperback in April 2016 - so one to look out for. I would just like to say thank you to Number Seven’s Walking Book Club members for making it another memorable year of walks and talks and wish you all a wonderful Christmas and New Year. We shall now take a short break from our walks although I am sure there will still be plenty of reading going on – I know some of you still have proofs to digest and enjoy. Our first meeting of 2016 will be on Saturday 12th March. I look forward to welcoming new and regular members in the spring. #walkingbookclub #Pollard #Wake #HisforHawk #ElizabethisMissing #TheBeggartheHare #TheHundredYearhouse #CatOutofHell #TheFlyTrap #SwornVirgin #WeareAllMadeofMolecules #TheDetour

BOOK: the hundred-year house AUTHOR: Rebbecca Makkai WALK DATE: 12/09/2015 Thank you to all those that joined us for last Saturday's Walking Book Club. The morning's heavy rain showers deterred a few but those that still dared to venture out were rewarded with what the month of September does best - glorious mellow sunshine. We headed to the 'den' to sit and talk as Christopher and I had been to the hill fort earlier in the week to arrange mossy logs so that more people may sit in comfort in preparation of our book launch with Jackie Morris on the 4th October - we surprisingly disturbed a very fine toad in the process! The Hundred-Year House received a mixed and confused reaction from the group leaving me a little bewildered to their true reaction. Some readers found the plot confusing, with too many characters and missed key points that were later revealed within a different time period of the house's history often by different, seemingly unconnected characters. Others loved how these clues and snippets of information had been cleverly layered throughout the text and one is even tempted to revisit and see what other fragments may have been unwittingly missed. Personally I loved it once I had got past its 'Americanism' during the first section set during 1999 and preferred reading about the house's earlier history. Once an art colony I adored the array of characters that frequented its rooms and studios - the creative clues and connections, the deceptions and smoke screens - some farcical others quite dangerous and serious games. My enjoyment while reading was mirrored by watching Life In Squares which focused on the Bloomsbury Group with particular reference to the relationship of David 'Bunny' Garnett and Angelica Bell, and I wondered if Rebecca Makkai had drawn inspiration from this the most famous group of bohemian artists. The group as a whole would not recommend The Hundred-Year House or would consider more carefully which of their friends to whom they would suggest read it. I am quite surprised how much I enjoyed it and loved escaping to the garden to read and find myself agreeing with the back page critic's quote: 'Part literary mystery, part comedy of manners, part wickedly funny satire...it's remarkable' What did you think Fable?! #numberseven #dulverton #exmoor #walkingbookclub #thehundredyearhouse

Do join us in celebrating the work of Sophie Smith and Ian Roberts. Ian has made some even more fantastical imposing clocks in his signature style and Sophie has been producing a range of delicate pieces in jewel like colours especially for us! The exhibition opens on the 9th July, when Sophie Smith will also be in residence between 10am - 1pm, so do come and meet the maker. It also happens to be our Walking Book Club that day so you could really make a day of it. If you would like to join the walk we are reading All Passion Spent by Vita Sackville West and copies are available from Number Seven priced at £6.00. It promises to be quite a creative and inspiring time that we hope you will enjoy any enquiries please do call the shop 01398 324457

When I visited Jackie at her home and studio in March earlier this year she was in the final stages of completing the illustrations for Wild Swans. This image was still literally on the drawing board and it was a wonderful opportunity to see the book in progress so close at hand. One morning after walking the dogs on the beach she then intrusted me with a parcel that needed sending to her publisher Frances Lincoln. It contained a number of completed illustrations and I joked that of course I would post it and not just run away coveting them for myself. I must admit It was quite disconcerting leaving so many hours of hard work and imagination in the post office at St David's. The illustrations obviously made it safely to London as the book is due to be published late September and we are to host a book launch at Number Seven to celebrate. As with East of the Sun West of the Moon, Wild Swans is a heartfelt retelling of a traditional tale. A story of transformation, astonishing patience, determination and love. It may be sorrowful at times but you are in for a mesmerising and contemplative read. The book launch is on Sunday 4th October at 2pm, we plan take a walk into the woods, listen to Jackie read, and then return to Number Seven for afternoon tea and book signing opportunity. The original art work for Wild Swans will be on display so that you too may take a closer look. The exhibition will also include new work by two very talented craftswomen, Tamsin Abbott and Eleanor Bartleman, who will also be joining us as we venture into the woods, it promises to be quite a special afternoon. Tickets are priced at £20 to include walk with the artists, afternoon tea and a copy of Wild Swans RRP £10.99 which Jackie will sign for you. Spaces are limited as we wish to keep the event informal and personal, so we would advise that you book your place early to avoid disappointment. Those that joined us in May last year when Jackie read from East of the Sun West of the Moon captured some magical memories to take home and found themselves sitting on the site of a hill fort east of the sun, west of the moon... I am not sure if we can recreate such magic again but I am sure it will still be an afternoon to treasure. Come join the 'whiteness of swans...' To purchase your tickets please call the shop on 01398 324457 Payment can be made with your debit or credit card Tickets will be posted to you prior to the event or can be collected on the day from Number Seven. *PLEASE NOTE: Although we welcome dogs to our Walking Book Club we cannot allow them to join us on this occassion

DULVERTON BY STARLIGHT: Spot the Sugar Mouse Competition The sugar mice have returned! The Dulverton by Starlight committee thought it would be fun to reinstate this popular and traditional competition as part of the town's festive celebrations. The rules are simple... There are SIX sugar mice hidden in the window displays of the town's many varied businesses, including the tearooms, restaurants and pubs - so bear in mind it's not just the shops! You need to find the THREE that are wearing silver bells as well as ribbons. *All six have ribbons but only three have bells as well. Once you have spotted the three in question send your answers to info@numbersevendulverton.co.uk stating clearly the business names of each location, your name and address. All the correct entries will then be placed into a draw and one lucky winner will receive a bundle of crafty, making and colouring goodies worth £50.00 from NUMBER SEVEN DULVERTON. The winner will be notified by email on 6th January 2016. With thanks to: THE TANTIVY for supplying the sugar mice - the stars of the show. NIMBLE FINGERS for the beautiful red ribbon. And to those businesses as daft as me to say yes to hiding mice. GOOD LUCK, HAPPY CHRISTMAS & DO ENJOY DULVERTON AT ITS FESTIVE BEST! *CONGRATULATIONS to DAISY WHITE who spotted all three mice correctly. The three wearing bells were in the window displays of: DULVERTON LIBRARY ROTHWELL & DUNWORTH Antiquarian & Second-hand Books WOODS BAR & RESTAURANT The three wearing just ribbons were hiding in: BODMIN HOUSE HAIRDRESSING NUMBER SEVEN DULVERTON SEDDONS Estate Agent Thank you to all those who entered.

And who hasn't, at some point in their lives, wished to walk away, from all the familiar? Would you walk to the meadow, the sea, the mountains, to seek a quiet sanctuary, a new beginning? Thank you to everyone that entered our creative writing competition. We received over fifty submissions, many by post, even ‘by hand’ through our letter box and others pinged in from across Europe, Canada and Australia. It was a delight to read your words and ‘escape’ with each of you in turn. Christopher and I read them aloud to one another, each one at least twice and then selected a dozen that shone out to forward on to Jackie. It was not an easy task, as each entry was naturally so individual. When we initially planned the competition, we had no idea that not just the UK but practically the entire world was adapting to the restrictions imposed by ‘lockdown’ and the pandemic - everyone was dreaming about where they longed to be or learning to wander within the confines of their home. We requested submissions by post, encouraging participants to step away from their computers, retreat with pen, paper and paint. Those that were unable to visit their local post office, sent words by e-mail but they were typed with consideration, fonts were experimented with and photographs were attached. I met Jackie virtually from my sofa at home and her at her studio desk in Pembrokeshire. We were able to share our thoughts, drink tea and select who to send the inked swallow to. You may watch and listen here… So, two swallows are heading to new homes... To Fiona Johnson and Michelle Werrett, I hope you enjoy reading their words and the landscape they visualise. Is it a familiar path? Where would you choose to walk? February I stare at the frozen earth, stark, depthless, hardened clods, seemingly lifeless March I survey the ground, softened, crumbling and toss the seed, dry tiny pieces of life. They teeter on the particles and then tumble into the abyss. Many tears follow their course and anchor them. May I observe small promises, hints, shoots and slender buds. Tentative hopes emerging, trembling but these to nurture. July I see a riot, a chaos of colour life is skittering around my feet, dancing before my eyes and I plunge right in. It’s good, next year will better. My meadow, My Restoration. Wildwoodwalk I would walk where the woods are wild, where the wind in the tops whispers wishes to me. I should not follow the tracks of man but wander where other hearts roam free. I would cross the bank by the badger-worn run, skip over the stream where otters slide, follow the slots of the stag trodden path - the paw-padded, hoof-cut ways; far from the human world, away from work and worry, to the company of trees. Where primroses light the gloom and birdsong promises of better days to come, echoing canopy holds woodnotes like precious treasure cupped in twiggy hands; a brightening of robin, elegance of blackbird, rapture of warblers and soft soothing pigeon. Finding peace in the sun-lanced green shade where I might linger the afternoon, threading the wildwood ways, to sit on moss cushioned log, lie in crunchy drifts or bounce on a branch in the breeze, here to pluck words from the wordless wild - they might be words like these. Both winners were rather thrilled when we let them know they had been chosen… ‘Thank you so much, I am so overwhelmed and excited that I danced a jig whilst uttering Cor! Having never entered a writing competition I am really surprised.’ ‘Oh, thank you, thank you, so much!!! How truly wonderful! Off for a celebratory walk!’ Thank you to Christopher Jelley for persevering and pushing the boundaries of our tech capabilities! And of course, to Jackie Morris for her time and generosity. Xx Copyright of the winning submissions remains with the respective author, please do not print or share without prior permission and quote source, Number Seven Dulverton.

October has been a memorable month at Number Seven. It began at Dillington House where we supported Jackie Morris with her book sales at the Somerset Literacy Trust's annual conference. It was a busy day, enjoyed by all those who attended, delighted to watch Jackie reciting otter as one appeared from the ink and brush in her hand - I've seen Jackie paint many times but this was quite a revelation. That first weekend we managed to find space for a little time out and headed to Porlock Weir where a golden labyrinth stone was hidden by the harbour and I'd love to know if anyone found it. Smoothed Porlock pebbles were also collected for future treasures to be hidden elsewhere on Jackie's travels... While Jackie was with us we were also able to visit The Two Rivers Paper Mill which is located in the village of Roadwater, not too far from Dulverton. It is one of a handful of commercial hand-mills still operating in Europe and it was wonderful to see this skilled and ancient craft first hand. Jackie came away with a bundle of beautiful heavy quality papers alongside a bottle of water from the mill's well so that she could mix her ink with the same water source used in creating the paper. Afterwards we treated her to lunch, a local specialty, Christopher's home cooked road kill. Of course the main reason Jackie was in Exmoor with us was for The Lost Words Supper at Loyton Lodge and our book signing at Number Seven the following day. The supper was planned to coincide with the full moon and we were overjoyed that the Hunter's moon was clearly visible that night adding to the enchantment of the evening. We have had some lovely comments from guests who were able to join us, and between us we are already planning next year's event! 'I just wanted to say a huge thank you for the wonderful evening you arranged and hosted at Loyton Lodge, from the dramatically lit walk up the path to the beautifully laid tables, it was a wonderful evening, thank you for the magic of it all.' The book signing the following day was enjoyed by all ages. It also happened to be the publication day for the limited edition of the Lost Words which contains a print to frame of Robert Macfarlane's Goldfinch charm. Jackie spent the day talking with visitors and playing with her familiar Sumi ink. She also got to experiment with the Bideford Black that we had managed to source for her. This is a pure pigment found on the North Devon coast and was once mined in industrial quantities. Jackie took great delight in conjuring West Country otters with water from the River Barle... Before heading back home to Wales via Yeovil Literary Festival and one last road kill lunch Jackie found the time to sign copies of all her titles for future customers visiting Number Seven. I would just like to say thank you to Kerry Andrew, Nicola Davies and Jackie Morris for their support and energy in making The Lost Words supper an event to be remembered. Also to Isobel Barnes and her team at Loyton Lodge for creating a colourful, flavour filled feast in the most perfect setting. I think we celebrated The Lost Words first birthday with style and enchantment! I'll leave you with this wonderful tune from Kerry's band You Are Wolf, which I am still singing two weeks on! The energy and creativity of her set was just astounding - none of her sequences are pre recorded, all the layers are built up live and gradually looped and layered. If you get the chance to attend any of her forth coming concerts I would highly recommend it. She is also one of the musicians involved in the current Spell Songs project which is due to go on tour early 2019. #TheLostWords #JackieMorris #KerryAndrew #NicolaDavies #RobertMacfarlane #LoytonLodge #TwoRiversPaper #NumberSevenDulverton #Exmoor #BookSigning

And so our exhibition for this year's Somerset Art Works Festival has come to a close. For those of you who were unable to view in person here are some glimpses of the work on display and comments from our many visitors. 'fabulous, inspirational work. I love it!' 'Wonderful as always!' 'Absolutely beautiful, moving & amazing. Thank you' 'Like looking through a window into a magical world...' 'Absolutely awesome work - humbled by all of this!' 'I feel elevated after experiencing this exceptional work' 'How lovely to see such a high standard of work.' 'What a wonderful and compelling exhibition.' 'Jackie's paintings are as luminous and wonderful as ever, and Tamsin's glass and Eleanor's ceramics add to the beauty. And such a warm welcome.' 'Such beautiful detail and so expressive.' 'A feast for the eyes - just wonderful & a joy to see.' 'Stunning!' I would just like to say thank you to the artists, Tamsin Abbott, Eleanor Bartleman, Maria Mayle, Jackie Morris and Sophie Smith, for creating such beauty for us to display at Number Seven, you make our task of displaying a pleasure and it is worth all the preparation and hard work that putting an exhibition together involves. I would like to say an even bigger thank you to Jan for allowing us to use her beautiful blue sitting room which really did set the scene. x #SomersetArtWeeks #Venue116 #NumberSeven #JackieMorris #EleanorBartleman #TamsinAbbott #SophieSmith #MariaMayle

We celebrated the first day of the new year walking at dusk to return a stone to its home on the hill. Carefully picked on a May Day walk, we had planned to take it with us to Pembrokeshire later that month, however our plans were scuppered by fate and the stone had to sit quietly, objecting to the dust it gathered, gently reminding me that it would rather be out in the elements of Exmoor not knowing its gilded future. While illustrating The Lost Words, Jackie Morris relaxed by continuing to be creative, gilding labyrinths onto stones and carefully placing them in the wild on her daily walk for other walkers to discover. Those that are lucky enough to chance upon them glistening from a mossy wall or rock pool, find they have a difficult decision to make, do they take their treasure home, 'finders keepers', or do they leave it for the next person to share in the unexpected magic? Touring to promote The Lost Words enabled Jackie to hide these stones throughout the country and while with us in Dulverton she embellished our May Day stone. We wanted to return it to its moorland home on another significant date, the first day of the new year was our first opportunity and seemed apt - we had no idea the moon would be so fitting. January 2018 is a month of 'Blue Moons', and is also the month for the 'Wolf Moon' or 'Old Moon.' We set off slightly later than planned with Christmas cake, a bottle of Quantock Nightjar and torches just in case we returned in the dark. It was blustery on the hill top but we nestled down for our picnic under the tree where the gilded stone now awaits to reward the next person who climbs its branches. Our walk home was lit by the moon, we had no need for our torches and took great delight in having moon shadows on the first day of the year. Wishing you all a wonderful new year! x We revisited the tree in May to discover that the stone had been found, would be lovely to know by who... #JackieMorris #Labyrinth #gilded #stone #treasure #TheLostWords #NewYear #WolfMoon #OldMoon #FullMoon #Exmoor

It goes without saying that we had a truly wonderful and enchanting time when Catherine Hyde visited Number Seven. Thank you to those of you that were able to join us and took delight in being able to peek into the pages of her sketch books, watch her paint and chat to her about her inspiration and the experience of bringing The Star Tree to life. Do enjoy these images that capture the afternoon perfectly... The day before she arrived Catherine was elated to hear that The Star Tree had been nominated for THE 2017 CILIP KATE GREENAWAY MEDAL for outstanding illustration - which she values 'as an incredible endorsement.' Signed copies of The Star Tree are available to buy from Number Seven, alongside copies of Catherine's other titles: Firebird, The Princess' Blankets and Little Evie in the Wild Wood which have also been signed by Jackie Morris. If you have the opportunity to visit Number Seven you will also find a selection of original studies for The Star Tree for sale, as well as Catherine's prints, cards and postcards. The Star Tree is a perfect lullaby gift for you to share with your little ones. #CatherineHyde #TheStarTree #booksigning #picturebooks #KateGreenawayAward

Number Seven was honoured to recently host the launch party for The House Without Windows, the first book to be illustrated by Jackie Morris since the publication of The Lost Words. Originally published in 1927 and written by Barbara Newhall Follett, at the age of twelve, The House Without Windows is an extraordinary paean to the transcendent beauty of the natural world, and the human capacity to connect with it. 'Little Eepersip doesn't want to live in a house with doors and windows and a roof, so she runs away to live in the wild - first in the Meadow, then by the Sea, and finally in the Mountain. Her heartbroken parents follow her, bringing her back home to 'safety' and locking her up in the stifling square of the house. But she slips away once more, following her heart into the richness of untrammelled nature and disappearing forever.' When planning the event, it felt natural to hold it in a 'venue without windows' and the tent, set in the meadow at Loyton was the perfect location, we could release Barbara's words, the character of Eepersip and Jackie's swallows and butterflies into the landscape they yearned to be free in - our guests also! Christopher mowed a labyrinth into the long grass for guests to walk and contemplate a fitting question posed by Jackie on her vintage typewriter. There was musical accompaniment from cellist Julia Vohralik and principal violinist Katherine Shave, who after my 'in conversation' with Jackie played Lark Ascending which seemed so fitting after Jackie read from the final pages of the book - it was also a gentle nod to the recent Lost Words Prom at the Royal Albert Hall, where Jackie had painted live on stage in front of an audience of 5,000. The resident chef at Loyton, Adam Fanson, prepared the most colourful picnic tea, the cakes were simply delicious and looked like they had been found among the wild flowers. When Eepersip runs away to the meadow, she packs a little picnic of crackers but once home in the landscape untethered from routine she lives on berries and foraged delights. The question we asked our guests to consider when walking the labyrinth was... And who hasn't, at some point in their lives, wished to walk away, from all the familiar? Would you walk to the meadow, the sea, the mountains, to seek a quiet sanctuary, a new beginning? In a quiet moment the next day, Jackie read through the answers and chose the most compelling reply to win the butterflies inked at Two Rivers Paper. Thank you to everyone who was able to join us and enter into the spirit of the afternoon - some wonderful memories were made, including a little mouse that greeted one of our guests at the centre of the labyrinth! Earlier in the week we visited Two Rivers Paper at Pitt Mill in Roadwater, where Christopher captured this footage of Jackie painting. The musical accompaniment is provided by The Bookshop Band. The Saturday following our picnic at Loyton, Jackie was resident 'in the kitchen' at Number Seven, signing books and reciting Red Fox, which was written by Robert Macfarlane and commissioned by the BBC for the summer promenade concerts. We are already making plans for 2020, which will see the publication of The Unwinding. In the meantime, enjoy listening to Jackie recite Red Fox. . . The house Without Windows is published by Hamish Hamilton. If you would like a signed copy for your library do contact us directly, copies purchased from Number Seven are also stamped with a silver snow hare, which makes them quite unique. #JackieMorris #TheLostWords #RobertMacfarlane #RedFox #TheHouseWithoutWindows #BarbaraNewhallFollett #HamishHamilton #booksigning #booklaunch

I thought I would share my recent post that I wrote for Somerset Art Works with you, to give you a taste of what we get up to during hibernation time at Number Seven... ... I’m currently operating very much in low gear. January and February are the ‘quiet’ months after the roller-coaster build up to Christmas at Number Seven, and I can now relish in hibernating by reading, walking, planning and laying foundations for the year ahead. Last weekend was particularly special as I was able to visit the home and studio of willow maker Annemarie O’Sullivan. We had met on a number of occasions previously as she was one of the key artists commissioned to create work for Herbarium and A Landscape of Objects, which had both been curated by Yvonna Demczynska, owner and founder of London’s Flow gallery. As we all bid our farewells last summer at Lytes Cary, loose plans were made to join one of Annemarie’s workshops and take advantage of the wild swimming spots in Sussex, not realising that in reality we would find ourselves there in January! Five of us were enrolled on the two-day workshop, including myself, Yvonna and SAW’s Creative Director, Carol Carey. I had no previous experience of willow weaving and felt no great pressure that I had to leave a fully-fledged maker. My main expectations were to simply enjoy the company and surroundings, and it was quite liberating to be joining a workshop where I felt I could just go with the flow and not be too precious about the outcome. Day one was surprisingly quite intense, although Annemarie was very good at explaining that there was no rush, that we should fall in with the pace particularly with our first task which was to select eight matching rods from the bundle of willow. This task was repeated on a number of occasions throughout the making process and it was surprising once you had gained familiarity handling the material how quickly your eye knew what to look for. I loved handling the willow when it was rain damp and selecting by not just width and length but colour also. By the end of Saturday, we all had a base formed and willow uprights in place ready for the sides to take shape the following day. That evening we headed to the local pub and every basket we encountered fell under a more informed gaze; we all looked rather longingly at the huge log basket by the inglenook, knowing that our skills were a long way off. Sunday was more relaxing, which Annemarie had promised, as we were at the stage where we were simply building height, the task became more intuitive with the repetition, although I didn’t quite reach a natural meditative flow, which must surely come with time and experience. Also I admit that I was so focused on getting the weave correct, that paying attention to keeping a curve to my basket became secondary, and as a result it became a little flat on one side – perfect for a bicycle basket! Spending time making with Annemarie in her studio certainly made us all appreciate more fully the true amount of time and skill invested in making a functional ‘everyday’ object, and has made me view a well-conceived basket as I would contemporary handcrafted furniture. Annemarie has been making for fifteen years and initially studied at London’s City Lit, since then she has become highly regarded within her specialism and her work sells internationally. She has a deep respect for this ancient craft and is continually researching localised techniques and indigenous shapes, style and function. There was a wonderful collection of baskets on display in her home and studio including a beautiful bag for collecting snails. This fascination with learning traditional techniques is akin to learning to draw and is what informs her larger scale site specific installations. To break the rules, you need to master them, take them apart and have confidence in making your own. Passionate about using high quality willow Annemarie grows around twenty varieties on a plot of land near her home, she also buys in Somerset willow which appropriately is what we constructed our baskets with. Since returning to its county of origin my basket has received cat approval, although I think my family expected something a little larger. I’m still unsure what to keep in it, naturally it has to be something worthy, although I am considering my swimming costumes as a nod to Annemarie’s swimming days and the rhythmic repetitive body movements comparable to that of her weaving moves and our shared love of wild swimming. I’d thoroughly recommend taking time out to attend a specialist craft course, if you fancy a true break Annemarie is offering a week in France this summer and it sounds positively idyllic. WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY: DAVINA JELLEY #SomersetArtWorks #willow #Flow #craft #AnneMarieOSullivan #basketweaving