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Welcome to Matahari Bamboo – the only supplier of bamboo poles and hand-made bamboo products in the Eastern Counties. I hope you will explore my site and discover the wonders of bamboo, perhaps the most sustainable ‘wood’ in the world!  

Take advantage of discounted prices during the winter months – 6m poles from £5! All orders and commissions at reduced prices if ordered now!

Newsflash ! incredible items now available – see Gallery and Sales pages 

We are very happy to say that a new shipment has at last arrived from our suppliers in Central Java! We now have good stocks of 5.8 metre bamboo poles 2cm to 10cm, fascinating and interesting hand crafted items including bamboo and coconut fibre hanging and desk lamps, containers and hampers, terrariums and much more. Please visit the ‘Gallery’ to view some of the items.

And don’t hesitate to get in touch from here, for more information and help.

2023! Excited to receive this Javanese rickshaw, decorated especially for Matahari. Available for events and private hire. Note : This is not a replica and not new but the genuine article! Now available to purchase

Why bamboo?

A little about bamboo as a resource – bamboo is the fastest growing plant in the world , it can grow up to 91cm (3ft) in 24 hours! That’s 25mm  every 40 minutes! Bamboo has a tensile strength that rivals steel and a higher compressive strength than wood, brick or concrete. It can grow to 30 metres in 3 to 7 years, growing to it’s full height in a single growing season (3 to 4 months) It can be harvested in 5 to 7 years. making it the ‘most sustainable wood in the world’  but  technically it is a grass species.

Advantages of Bamboo as a Building Material

  • Bamboo is easy to cut, handle, repair, reposition and maintain, without the need for sophisticated tools or equipment
  • Because of it’s extraordinary physical characteristics, bamboo is suitable for all types of structures and constructions
  • Bamboo is non-polluting and does not have crusts or parts that can be considered waste. Instead of adding to the problems of polluting landfills like conventional building waste, any part of the bamboo that is not used is recycled back into the earth as fertilizer or can be processed as bamboo charcoal
  • It’s circular form and hollow sections make bamboo a light building material which is easy to handle, transport and store. Therefore building with bamboo saves time.
  • Bamboo can be utilised for permanent or temporary constructions
  • In each of it’s nodes, bamboo has a dividing or transverse wall that maintains strength and allows bending thus preventing rupturing when bent. Because of this fantastic characteristic, a bamboo construction in earthquake areas of the world, offers superior resistance and resilience
  • The composition of the fibres in the walls of the bamboo allows it to be cut lengthwise or cross-cut in pieces of any length, using simple manual tools
  • The natural surface of the bamboo is smooth, clean with an attractive colour which does not require scraping, staining or polishing
  • Besides being used as a structural element, bamboo can also serve other functions such as : flooring, wall panelling, water pipes, drainage and furniture. It is also has anti-bacterial characteristics which even make it ideal for food or drink containers and implements
  • Another advantage of building with bamboo is that iut can be used in combination with other types of construction materials, for example reinforcing materials for foundations
  • PLACE YOUR ORDER TODAY!
Matahari Bamboo at the Woodgate Garden Show on June 9th. 2019. Successful show once again

About

Shipped direct from our suppliers in Central Java, the bamboo is fully treated , ready to use and  available from our storage barn at Thurgarton, North Norfolk.

Matahari Bamboo was established in 2017 following a shipment of bamboo poles from Jogjakarta in Central Java where the bamboo is grown, treated and prepared for delivery.

Robert, the sole-proprietor, lived in Jakarta, Indonesia for nearly three years. During this time he became aware of bamboo as a hugely versatile resource, fully sustainable and light and easy to manage. He got to know a grower with whom he organised his first shipment. Also, Indra (the owner and farmer)  spent a week training Robert in the working of bamboo with traditional tools.

Why Matahari? Many will recognise the name from an intriguing story about Margetha Geertruida MacLeod, infamous as a Dutch exotic dancer who became involved in espionage during the First World War. ‘Matahari’ was the name everybody knew her by. However, the reason why Robert chose ‘Matahari’ for the name of his bamboo business, had nothing to do with Margetha! In the Indonesian language the word for sun is mata hari – literally ‘eye of the day’ (mata – eye, hari – day) Wanting to retain links with Indonesia and the fact that matahari rolls off the tongue rather nicely, this was his choice!  

Robert and Matahari Bamboo is now widely known throughout the East (of England that is) He regularly supplies zoos and wildlife parks, scout groups (poles ideal for simple structures and designs), and of course many private gardens throughout the area.  

Margaetha Geertruida MacLeod, alias ‘Matahari’

Latest News from Matahari!

WE ARE PLEASED TO INFORM YOU OF OUR LATEST PRODUCTS RECENTLY ARRIVED  FROM INDONESIA. SEE OUR GALLERY AND SALES PAGES

INCREDIBLE RECLAIMED TEAK ROOT PRODUCTS INCLUDING TABLES, STOOLS AND SEATING

AND DON’T MISS AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY OT ACQUIRE A GENUINE JAVANESE RICKSHAW DIRECT FROM THE STREETS OF JOGJAKARTA – THE SECOND CITY OF JAVA

Contact

My full contact details are :

Telephone : +44 (0) 1263 768470

Mobile : +44 (0) 7393422006

Facebook : ‘mataharibamboo’

Address of workshop and storage : The Quails, School Road, Thurgarton, Norfolk, NR11 7PG, United Kingdom

Send a message
If you would like to know more about Matahari Bamboo, let us know…