The ordinary and every day before cardboard and plastic everything was carried and transported by wicker baskets. Always handmade. So, what is the difference between a skip and a skep?
The below is a skep
The below is a skip
The difference is simply that a skep has a lid and a skip does not. The wicker manufacturers were a very skilled industry and in fact, our wicker was made just up the road in Stanningley at M L Hills Ltd. As you can see from the below advertising the versatility of wicker was and is incredible and natural.
At Sunny Bank Mills this important piece of kit was used everywhere and when skeps and skips got out of shape they were simply thrown in the mill pond to soften and then be reshaped ready to be used again.
When we think of sustainability in society today perhaps we can take a page out of history and return to this natural and versatile material.
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