2009/94/3

B. J. Sherriff (Maker)

This upper half of a beekeeping suit was used to protect the donor and her husband from bees. It was donated to MERL along with other beekeeper's clothing, including a second, smaller upper half of a suit, a swarm collection box and a smoker by Mrs Kathleen Brown who used it, together with her late husband George Brown, in their home in Sandhurst. Mr Brown was born on 23rd February 1926 and died in 1993.The Browns kept bees from around 1980-1987 and owned four hives which were kept in their garden. They produced honey both for domestic use and to sell. This upper half of a suit, the smoker and the rest of the clothing were likely purchased by the Browns through an advert in a beekeeping magazine, while the swarm collection box was made by Mr Brown himself, probably around 1980 when they first began to keep bees. Mrs Brown was also a collector of honey pots. The label on the inside of the suit upper says 'B. J. Sherriff, Falmouth, Cornwall, UK' and on the front is attached a 'Sherriff Beekeeper' logo. B. J. Sherriff was established in Cornwall in 1968 by Brian and Pat Sherriff and is still trading today (2013).

1 upper part of beekeeping suit: polyester; cotton; good condition

Email, Margaret Gale to MERL, 06 May 2009 - 'Yes mum is still willing to donate the bee keeping suits, smoke box and swarm collection box to the museum - if you would like them.. // Perhaps they can be collected from mum in Sandhurst at some point?', Email, MERL to Margaret Gale, 17 June 2009 - 'Please ignore my last. I had forgotten your previous email, in which you give the address as follows: // Mrs Kathleen Brown // ... // A phone number might also be useful though!', Email, Margaret Gale to MERL, 17 June 2009 - 'Yes thanks, mum is slowly recovering from her stay in hospital- and being dosed with masses of anti biotics - no energy though. // Here is my number if you need to change anything last minute on the morning of 25th: [...] // I will leave home about 9.45 am, as only takes about 10 mins to get to mum's. // If there are any problems after 9.45 am phone [...] - mum's number. // We look forward to meeting you', MERL ‘Object Accession Form’ – 'Short description (free text): 1 pair of gloves, 2 upper beekeeping suits, 1 pair of beekeeping trousers. Used to protect the body from bees. // Physical description (free text): 1 pair of beekeeping gloves: length 485mm, width 185mm. Area covering hands made of leather up to wrists, from wrist upwards gloves are made of fabric and elasticated at the top. An elasticated band is attached to one glove at the leather seam. Both gloves have a box with the words 'MK BEE GLOVE' printed within. The gloves are heavily marked and have wax on the hands. Fabric is fraying at the top. 1 pair of beekeeping trousers: length 1150mm, width 655mm. White fabric, made of 65% polyester, 35% cotton. Label still clear, on top back interior. Made in Britain. 2 large, open pockets on the front, one smaller pocket on the back to the right. Waist and ankles elasticated. Several marks and stains throughout. 2 upper beekeeping suits (1 larger than the other): Large: length 1110mm, width 2000m. Small: length 775mm, width 1865mm. Both are made of white fabric, 65% polyester, 35% cotton. Labels say 'B. J. Sherriff, Falmouth, Cornwall, UK'. The top of the jackets have protective hoods with fabric at the rear but wire mesh at the front. The hood attaches to rest of jacket via metal zip. Each jacket has 'Sherriff Beekeeper' logo on front; the larger jacket has a pocket with flap which the logo is sewn onto. Elastic bands are tied onto the ends of the larger suit's sleeves. The waist of the smaller suit is elasticated with ties to tighten it. Several marks and stains throughout. // Associated information (free text): This beekeeper's clothing, along with a smoker and swarm collection box, were donated to MERL by Mrs Brown who used them, together with her late husband George Brown (23/02/1926-1993), in their home in Sandhurst. The Browns kept bees circa 1980-1987 and owned four hives which were kept in their garden. They produced honey both for domestic use and to sell. The smoker and clothing were likely purchased by the Browns through an advert in a beekeeping magazine. The swarm collection box was made by Mr Brown himself, probably around 1980 when they first began to keep bees. Mrs Brown was also a collector of honey pots.’, Printout of an account of B. J. Sherriff, as written on the company website, http://www.bjsherriff.co.uk/information/about/about-bj-sherriff/ (accessed 07/06/2013).

Falmouth

1968 - 1987

Fibre, cotton, Fibre, polyester