83/36/1-2

Whelnetham Woodwork Ltd. (Manufacturer)

This is an ashwood, 17-tine rake for gathering harvested hay. It is new but made to a traditional 'split-handled' design. Stamped on the head and handle is the following: 'AJAX // Made by Suffolk Craftsmen'. It was made by Whelnetham Woodwork Ltd., Bury St. Edmonds, Suffolk, who also made scythe handles, forks, mauls, beetles, mallets and handles by traditional methods, in addition to rakes. Whelnetham Woodwork Ltd.'s original woodworking factory was founded in 1725 but the earliest records are contained in a ledger of 1809. The raw materials for woodworking were always available from local woodlands. The later factory was established in 1912 by John George & Sons Ltd, hardware manufacturers, then of Lackington St., London EC2. They originally leased coppice woods around Felsham Hall, Bury St. Edmonds, Suffolk, then subsequently purchased 300 acres of these in 1934. The factory was burnt down and rebuilt in 1939. Some years later the business was purchased by Ron Hack, a freelance journalist. By the early 1980s Whelnetham Woodwork Ltd. was run by one full-time worker, Noel Cullum. The wood was still obtained from the same source, which had become Bradfield Hall Nature Reserve, owned by the Society for Promoting Nature Reserves.

1 rake: wood [ash]; condition- new

According to the accession form, two rakes were originally acquired by the Museum (one with 17 tines, the other with 15 tines). However, one (with 15 tines) now appears to be missing. The description above refers to the rake with 17 tines., MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Institute of Agricultural History) – 'Standard museum name: RAKE // Accession number: 83/36/1-2 // Classification: HARVESTING Hay // Negative number: // Acquisition method: Purchase £12 // Acquired from, date: John Creasey, MERL. May 1983 // Store: small object // Condition: new // Recorder, date: J. M. Betts 13.5.83 // Description: [‘Where is the 15 tine rake?’ pencil] // Two traditional craftsman made wooden hay rakes. They are made of ash. One has 17 teeth and the other 15 teeth. // Inscription: stamped on head and handle // AJAX // Made by Suffolk Craftsmen. // Dimensions: 1) Length: 182.0cm Width of head: 72.0cm // 2) // Associated information: These rakes were made by Whelnetham Woodwork Ltd., Station Yard, Whelnetham, Bury St. Edmonds, Suffolk IP30 0DT Tel. Sicklesmere 300. // This company still makes rakes, scythe handles, forks, mauls, beetles, mallets and handles by traditional methods. // Associated information (continued): Whelnetham Woodwork Ltd. // The original woodworking factory was founded in 1725 but the earliest records are contained in a ledger of 1809. // The raw materials for woodworking were always available from local woodlands. // The present factory was established in 1912 by John George & Sons Ltd, hardware factors, then of Lackington St., London EC2. Originally leasing coppice woods in the Felsham Hall woods, 300 acres of these were purchased in 1934. The factory was burnt down and rebuilt in 1939 and the Lister Diesel engine still in use dates from that time. // Some years ago the business was purchased by Ron Hack, a freelance journalist and now exists somewhat precariously with one full-time worker, Noel Cullum. The wood is still being obtained from the same source, now Bradfield Hall Nature Reserve, owned by the Society for Promoting Nature Reserves. // References: See file with MERL librarian containing information and correspondence about Whelnetham Woodwork Ltd. at Sicklesmere, Suffolk'

Bury Saint Edmunds

1983-01-01