Yorkshire willow hits the sweet spot

A North Yorkshire estate will soon supply some of the world’s greatest cricketers.

Newburgh Priory Estate, near Coxwold, has been growing willow for Gray-Nicolls bats for the past 15 years, with its trees now being used by some of the sport’s biggest stars. 

The premium-grade willow – Salix alba Caerulea – takes 15 years to mature before being crafted into bats for Test matches, first-class cricket and the Indian Premier League.

Gray-Nicolls bats are used by England’s Harry Brook and Tammy Beaumont, New Zealand’s Kane Williamson and Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan, following in the footsteps of legends such as Brian Lara, Sir Alistair Cook, Clive Lloyd and Ian and Greg Chappell.

The variety was recently featured in Prime Video’s Clarkson’s Farm as Jeremy Clarkson began planting it on his own land.

Wilf Standeven, of Newburgh Priory Estate, said: “These are tremendously exciting times for us. 

“The idea of our willow being used by batting superstars like England’s Harry Brook is simply magnificent. 

“These last 15 years have been a labour of love – and now we are seeing the tangible results.

“There are currently 1500 cricket bat willows growing on the estate and they now form part of a steady supply stream to Gray-Nicolls. 

“Going forward, our willows, each of which can provide 35 bats, will be transformed into bats for the very best cricketers in the world. 

“That’s quite a thought.”

Neil Gray, managing director of Gray-Nicolls, added: “We are very proud of our partnership with Newburgh.

“The estate’s plantation is more about cricket bats for the future as this year was the first opportunity to process a few willow trees. 

“With our seasoning process it is unlikely that any Newburgh willow is being used by the current players. 

“But very soon, possibly even next season, it will be.”

The willow’s Yorkshire roots are thought to date back to just after the First World War, when Sir Guy Graham introduced it to the region from East Anglia.

His grandson Richy Graham added: “People said it would be far too cold in North Yorkshire to grow them successfully, but he proved them wrong. 

“Gradually, the word spread and, over the years, many neighbours, including Newburgh Priory, also started growing them for Gray-Nicolls across the county. 

“And it has proved a tremendous success story.”

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