In the late 1970's Crawford Balch revived the art of making woven willow fences, traditionally used to contain stock and made from osiers too large or rough for fine basket work, and began to use them for individually designed gardens. Since then he has built up a reputation as a master craftsman, growing his own willows and working continuously throughout Suffolk, Essex and Norfolk.

In 1995 Neil Stimpson, his nephew, came to harvest willows and learnt to weave. After obtaining an Honours degree in Agricultural and Environmental science from Newcastle and a period working in America, Africa and New Zealand he has now established Rivendale Willows to run in conjunction with Crawford's business.