Basket Making

Tucked away in a small workshop in Sydenham Rd – No xx – a building likely to be demolished soon, is to be found our craftsman.

He started as an apprentice in his fathers’ firm in Devon when he was 14. He earned 1/s – or 10p (5p) per hour. A working week consisted of 50 hours.

In 1946 he answered an advertisement in the News Chronicle and joined Cobbets in Sydenham Road. Cobbetts then employed as many as 10 basket makers – making mainly laundry baskets. Jack worked for them till they closed in 1971. He then started on his own.

The range of basket ware he has produced includes:

• Polo posts
• Balloon baskets
• Vintage Side Car baskets
• Bath Chairs

He has produced basket work of all sorts for film sets, theatres and many major shops such as Conrans, Heals, and the Design Guild.

The balloon shown in the adjoining photograph had a Cobbett/ West basket. It was the first official flight in 1967, of a British balloon using hot air from a gas flame. Sponsored by the Daily Telegraph the balloon and its occupants disappeared somewhere on the Atlantic Ocean.

Jack, who has lived in 2 Poyle Terrace for over 30 years still undertakes commissions for basket work. Should you wish to contact him his telephone number is 564120