For many years Lee England (the Ely willow man) has been living and selling his amazing willow sculptures and structures from the roof of his boat in Ely and the waterways of East Cambridgeshire. He is fondly thought of and he loved to talk to visitors to the Ely river about his fine work.
Sadly, recently Lee,s life was turned upside down when his boat sunk. In one moment he lost everything, his home, business and of course his willow tools. Lee had built this boat himself and so it had meant the world to him.
Fb/elywillowman-support
I have set up a local Fb page to help target emergency help. Local residents have kindly and gratefully donated food and a sleeping bag, wind up torch, radio etc. As well as a small 2 berth boat which was initially lent by an amazing local.
It has now been gifted to Lee !!
Lee is obviously over the moon. it was believed that Lee's boat could possibly be righted. But this is now unlikely to happen with it being in tact.
This page is to buy Lee tools and supplies: wood etc as the boat donated is structurally sound, but it is a shell with an engine. So it will need a lot of work, which if funded Lee can do.. As well as Lee fixing up this boat the tools etc. will allow Lee to continue his willow business from the roof of his boat and to become self sufficient again.
This is the link to Lee's willow website where you can view more photos of his houseboat which sunk and also his willow creations. Obviously Lee isn't willow making at this time as he has lost everything.
http://www.bespokewillowsculptures.co.uk/MY-SURVIVAL-CRAFT.html
#Elywillowman