Blind Creel Maker

Archie Dean, blind basket weaving craftsman, at work in the Bridgnorth workshop he has occupied since 1928.

Archie Dean makes baskets from willow and as he says, as long as he keeps rubbing along he's alright. His workshop is at Bridgnorth, known as the Queen of the River Severn, and a favoured spot for anglers. Archie's basket weaving work, hand crafted without the benefit of sight, has been around the world in all its varied forms but his best trade remains the willow creel used by fishermen to store their catch.