Mark Cottrell

Birch besom maker for generations

Traditional besom brooms have been Mark's family business for generations. His father taught him how to make a birch besom and Mark continues today with the same technique.

The brush heads are made from silver birch, which Mark clears from a local Christmas tree plantation. In exchange for keeping the plantation free from birch, Mark is rewarded with a plentiful supply of sustainable besom material.

The handles are made from hazel, also cut from a local plantation. Hazels need regular coppicing to retain their shape and the straight shoots quickly grow back making them ideal for bean poles and broom handles.

In addition to besoms Mark makes other sustainable garden products like his oak boot jacks which are popular with wellie-wearing locals.

When he is not making his besoms and bootjacks, Mark likes to renovate old farm machinery. He can often be seen at country shows in the south east of England with his vintage tractor and potato sorting machine. He's hopeful of renovating this threshing machine next, once he can work out how to transport it!