Essex Willows

A fascinating look at how a cricket bat is professionally crafted, by hand, in 1946, from its beginnings as a willow tree.

This Essex County Council sponsored film, produced in 1946, shows in intricate detail how the wood of a willow tree is used to craft a cricket bat, all done by hand – from felling the willow tree, through to shaping the blade and fitting the handle, marrying the two perfectly, before the final touches. The film is silent with captions explaining each stage of the process.