Sport, leisure and pastimes

Activity 2        Learn some new words to use in a game of SCRABBLE®

The game of SCRABBLE is is by far the most popular word game ever, selling over 100 million sets. Simply by reading these activities you will be introduced to the colourful vocabulary associated with willows and rural crafts. Many of the words used are 4-6 letters long and will keep you one step ahead of your rivals when you play the game.

Activity 11      Play a game of cricket

The sound of a leather cricket ball on a willow bat is one of the most evocative sounds of the English summer. The dull thwack sound is a result of the unique wood properties of the particular willow used. Playing a game of cricket is a great holiday activity for families. If you’ve only got a bat and ball try French cricket in which your legs are the wickets.

Activity 24      Take flight in a balloon

Willows have an intimate association with the early history of aviation. Almost as long as balloonists have been flying “up, up and away” they have been carried in baskets of woven wicker because of their strength, resilience and light weight. For this activity to be willow related one would have to take up the sport of ballooning.

Activity 41      Play a game of giant pick-up sticks

The game of pick-up sticks probably was invented in Ancient China but variations also seem to have been developed by the Europeans and Native Americans. The game requires manual dexterity and logical thought to remove a stick from the pile without the others moving. The coloured rods produced by 1 year old willow are ideal for using for this activity.

Activity 78      Learn to fence with a singlestick

Singlestick is a form of fencing that was commonly played throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. The main aim of a singlestick bout was to “break the head” or draw blood from your opponent! The weapon is made of a wooden blade, usually of ash, 80-90 cm (30-35 inches) long, with a protective hilt made of woven willow, reed or leather.