Wheelbarrow in wood is a fine tradition
Wheelbarrow in wood is a fine tradition
A wooden wheelbarrow may need more muscle power
than a modern lightweight version but for many
passionate gardeners, nothing less will do
Graham uses old tools and an old design for his barrows.
THE picturesque English garden is a place that we all can see in our minds eye. Graham Ellison thinks that such a garden needs a wheelbarrow, but it needs to be a traditional wooden one.
"I love the look of an old garden and a wooden barrow looks in place. But some 10 years ago I looked around to buy one and found the ones on the market were very poor." So, Graham decided to start to make traditional barrows, but first he had to find a design to work from. After looking at some very old ones he came up with a pattern to work from.
"I use only good materials, as I want the barrows to last a lifetime," he says, as he works on a new barrow at a unique coach-builders bench in his workshop near his home at Crewton, Derbys. He also travels around the country giving demonstrations at county shows.
"People like to see something being hand-made. I only use old tools, mostly from the early 20th century with designs dating back to the mid 19th century," says Graham. It takes over 20 pieces of wood to make each barrow and after some hours of work and coats of paint and varnish, the wheel is fitted. "I only use traditional wheels with an iron rim on a wooden frame." Graham believes he is the only full time traditional barrow maker in the country and he makes them in two sizes – the smaller "ladys barrow" (£250) is sealed inside and sold as a planter. The man-size gardeners barrow costs £595.
Paul Felix
Inquiries: Graham Ellison (01332 757993).