From the withies

For millennia, fishermen have utilised the natural materials around them to make their nets, pots, and ropes. Since the 1960s however, these natural materials have been supplanted by petroleum-based products. Today, nearly all nets, pots, buoys, and ropes, are made of plastic. When lost at sea, these often ‘ghost fish’ and then disintegrate, sending toxic particles into the food chain.

‘From the withies’ tells the story of how Cornish shipwright Adrian Grigg and his Aaron are tackling this problem by harnessing the wonderful versatility of willow. The film follows their journey from growing a whole field of willow to then using this to make lobster and crab pots. Along the way, they receive help from old-timer fishermen, and experience growing interest in their project, from fishermen, weavers, and families. This story shows how the harnessing of an old craft may just help solve a very modern problem.