Nigel Lewis – The Willow Man

All of us here at National Trust of Guernsey are sad to learn of the death of Nigel Lewis, a longstanding supporter of preserving traditional craft skills, and familiar to thousands as a demonstrator at Lé Viaër Marchi, an annual event held by the Trust since 1970 always highlighting heritage Guernsey skills. Nigel had been part of the event for over fifty years. 

Within the last few weeks and ahead of a proposed presentation at this year’s Viaer Marchi, we were able, through Margaret ‘Maggie’ his wife, to present Nigel with a silver bachin from the Trust, in recognition of his Outstanding Contribution to Preserving Guernsey’s heritage which, we understand, he was surprised and pleased to receive. 

Our 1979 September newsletter reveals that Nigel was a member of The Guernsey Evening team. The Guernsey Evening, established in 1970 and originally held on the courtyard at the Folk and Costume Museum, was the forerunner to Lé Viaër Marchi, a much larger event based in nearby Saumarez Park and that which is familiar to everyone today. We are most grateful to have received from Maggie, the following words written by Nigel probably in the early 1970’s, explaining how he became involved with Lé Viaër Marchi and describing his passion for preserving Guernsey’s time-honoured skills. 

“After starting work at the IDC* I was foraging for brambles at Petit Bôt when a car passed down the dirt track. It was Farmer and Douzaineer Fred Heaume, whose son Richard started the Occupation Museum. As a member of the committee he asked me what I was doing and I explained, at which point he invited me to demonstrate making baskets at a new event that The National Trust has been running for a couple of years called Le Viaier Marchi held at Saumarez Park. It sounded like my cup of tea so I agreed, but then realized I would not have enough material ready to make a basket and so opted for Peg making. 

Little did I know that I will be making pegs at this event for over 50 years and became known as 'The Willow Man'. I also made Besom brooms and turned wood using a traditional pole lathe powered by a 17 foot-long springy branch. 

When my children, Sally-Claire and Jamie, were old enough they would take part, initially just painting the pegs, but eventually Jamie graduated to become the wood turner. 

Skills were duly passed on to the grand children who produced Harry Potter wands or in Harrison’s case, gypsy willow flowers which he gave away to girls. My brother Jeremy and his boys also joined in making handmade rope."

Each Viaër Marchi was a special time with thousands of onlookers. I encouraged children to get hands-on and make their own willow clothes peg. 

As the years went by, I would have children come to me saying they wanted to make a peg like their daddy or mummy had when they were children. We all dressed up in Victorian country outfits with waistcoats and red and white spotted neckerchiefs. 

I once demonstrated to the Queen when she visited, and Sally-Claire gave her a bouquet of marigolds from the garden absolutely crawling with green fly. Prince Philip wanted to know whether I made a living at this craft and was amused to find that I was a Civil Servant. The addition of a handcart, barrels and an open fire over which I cooked a stew, plus a cast iron barbecue delivering bacon and egg sandwiches added to our display. One of the most magical evenings of the year and such a great feeling to be surrounded by my extended family."

Margaret has also kindly shared a jotting written by Nigel in 2017 – 

"Lé Viaër Marchi is a very special event for me and my extended family, and this year we fielded three generations; peg making by me, brother Jeremy making rope, my son Jamie on pole lathe and, for the first time, grandson Harrison who made traditional Gypsy willow flowers. Harrison’s two younger sisters are keen to take part next year. By my reckoning I started demonstrating at the event some 43 years ago and it has brought so many rewards not least of which is constantly hearing from today’s children, as they make a peg to take away, that their father or mother also made pegs with me …..when they were children."

We hope you will join us in a full acknowledgement of Nigel’s Outstanding Contribution to Preserving Guernsey’s heritage at this year’s Viaer Marchi, on Monday 1st July when the bachin will be publicly received by his brother, Jeremy, in memory of ‘The Willow Man’. 

Our sincerest condolences to the Lewis family, together with our profound thanks for Nigel’s contribution over the years and, we believe, continued demonstrations by the Lewis family.

*(Editor's note: Island Development Committee now known as the Development and Planning Authority)