Arthur Haffenden

Arthur makes a range of
besom brooms (also known as
birch brooms) for the public
using trimmed birch twigs
attached to a handle made of
chestnut, ash or hazel. His
work perpetuates skills that
have been used in the region
since Saxon times. The local
climate is naturally suited
to birch and allowed the
industry to prosper in the
past. Once known as "besom
squires", local broom-makers
were numerous in the area,
and often used assistants to
work the local coppices
(managed woods) for
materials.
Arthur's
work is in constant demand,
and not just from visitors
to the Museum. His brooms,
for example, are snapped up
eagerly by visitors to the
annual Kew Garden Show,
where his work is seen as a
fitting addition to the
appearance and maintenance
of many different types of
garden. For those of you
following in Alan
Titchmarsh's footsteps, take
note!
Arthur's brooms are
available at Amberley, and
he can be seen working on
them throughout the season.
If you would like to contact
Arthur, please telephone the
Museum on 01798
831370.