Waveney Rush Industry

The Waveney Rush Industry was established in 1947 in a small village in Suffolk. In 2000 it was sold in its entirety and re-located to its current premises in Oulton Broad where it stands in an enviable position on the north bank overlooking the water.

The skill of rush weaving dates back to the Anglo-Saxon period and today the process from rushes to product still echoes the exact techniques of our historical predecessors. We pride ourselves on the
unrivalled quality of our rush products and the experienced workmanship we exact in crafting them which has been honed and refined over our many years in business.

About Us

The Waveney Rush Industry was established in 1947 in a small village in Suffolk. In 2000 it was sold in its entirety and re-located to its current premises in Oulton Broad where it stands in an enviable position on the north bank overlooking the water. The skill of rush weaving dates back to the Anglo-Saxon period and today the process from rushes to product still echoes the exact techniques of our historical predecessors. We pride ourselves on the unrivalled quality of our rush products and the experienced workmanship we exact in crafting them which has been honed and refined over our many years in business.
THE RAW PRODUCT :

rush² (rũsh) n. 1. or scirpus lacustris Any of various stiff marsh plants of the genus Juncus, having pliant hollow or pithy stems and small flowers with scalelike perianths. Any of various similar, usually aquatic plants. The stem of one of these plants, used in making baskets, mats, and chair seats.
The fresh water rushes coloured only by the sun and textured only by their surrounding natural environment exude a fresh aroma which remains a defining characteristic of the finished products.
THE PROCESS:
The process from raw rushes to product is extremely time consuming. The rushes are firstly soaked and then fed through a mangle which extracts any excess water. They are then graded by size to determine which size of braid / ply they will be utilized for. All the rushes are eventually weaved by hand to form a continuous length of braid which is cut down and used for the various products we offer. All of the products are secured using a natural hemp string fed through a traditional sailmakers needle. The weaving process is environmentally friendly and wholly natural with no machines or chemicals used whatsoever. Consequently, the finished result is an authentic and unspoilt product of the natural world.
A Collection of Photos:


We are open to visitors by appointment only. Please contact us to arrange a mutually convenient time and we will be happy to conduct a short tour of our workshop, as well as answer any questions that you may have.