From flowers to mints: the history of a basket

This basket tells the story of the craftsman who made it, the gentlewoman who owned it, the employees daughter who was given it and finally its return to the family

This basket tells the story of the craftsman who made it, the gentlewoman who owned it, the employees daughter who was given it and finally its return to the family.

This basket embodies the close-knit nature of village life where families are interconnected by shared stories. It was made by William Mullings who came from a long line of basket makers in Market Lavington and Easterton. He was the third generation and his son continued after him.

The first owner of this basket was Miss Ann Pleydell Bouverie, related to the Manor owners in Market Lavington and a descendant of the Earl of Radnor. Ann was a spinster who lived in The Old House on Parsonage Lane. Ann probably used the basket when cutting flowers. For real work she employed a gardener.

The gardener was Alf Burbidge and he lived in a cottage just behind The Old House – the cottage that is now Market Lavington Museum. When Alf’s younger daughter Flo got married, Ann decided it was time to pass the basket on. The basket was given to Flo when she married Bert Shore.

Later Flo Shore gave the flower basket to Mrs Butcher who was descended from the Mullings basket making family, thereby completing the circle. In exchange, Flo was given a large bag of Nuttals Mintoes.

Most of the time this basket has been closely associated with its current location in the museum;

Used in the garden of The Old House next door,

Given to Flo Burbidge who was born in the museum in 1908,

Finally returned to the museum by Mrs Butcher, a descendant of William Mullings.