Felicity Irons

Felicity Irons’ family-run business continues a tradition that is centuries old.

Felicity began rush work 30 years ago after a self-taught start in the 90’s while recuperating from a car accident. An opportunity arose when sadly the gentleman supplying Felicity her rush passed away. There was no one to take over the traditional craft of harvesting English Rush that remains unchanged since Anglo Saxon times, so after just an hour’s lesson, three rush knives and a punt later, Felicity began her journey of being one of the last freshwater rush cutter/weavers in England.

The English bulrush is harvested from 17ft long punts during July and August from the banks of the rivers Ouse, Nene and Avon. The rushes are then stood upright against the hedges at the family farm where they dry naturally in the sun and wind. It is this natural drying process, outside subject to the changes in weather that gives the beautiful range of colours in the bulrush.