94/32

This is a thatching bat, also known as a leggett, for use on a roof thatched with Norfolk reed. A thatcher uses a bat to dress the reed/straw into place and ensure an even finish; and the head of the bat is usually treated in some way so as to catch the ends of the reed/straw. This wooden bat has a curved, tapering head with twenty-four large holes in it. It was used for dressing areas that cannot be reached with a flat head. It is part of a collection of thatching tools donated by Jeff King, a thatcher and former thatching advisor at CoSIRA.

1 leggett: wood; fair condition- split along head

MERL miscellaneous note – ‘Collection of thatching tools given by Mr Geoff [Jeff] King, … , Evesham, Worcs, … , in February 1994. // Geoff King: // Took advantage of gov’t rehabilitation scheme on leaving the navy in 1957 to learn thatching. He was taught by George Wright, a thatcher of Nurseling, Southampton. After three years, he set up business on his own account on the outskirts of Southampton. // In 1970 he became Thatching Adviser for COSIRA [Council for Small Industries in Rural Areas]. This involved much travel, giving advice to other thatchers, house owners, public authorities etc. The job also involved being one of the tutors on the thatching course run at Knuston Hall adult education centre, near Wellingborough, Northants. These are two week courses for apprentice thatchers and they have to attend three a year. The courses are put on by the Rural Development Commission, successor body to COSIRA. // Geoff King retired in the summer of 1993, but reorganisation with the Rural Development Commission resulted in a delay in the appointment of his successor so he stayed on a little longer. // The tools that Mr King has given to the Museum have been collected in the course of his work around the country over the last twenty years and were accessories in his teaching. // See The Thatcher’s Craft, Rural Industries Bureau, 1960. Library ref. 5790. Chapter 7, Thatching Tools and Materials, P.205.’, MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Institute of Agricultural History) – 'Recorder: RB/JMB // Date: July 1994 // Description: NORFOLK REED LEGGETT // Wooden leggett with curved, tapering head which has 24 large holes in it. The short handle seems to be integral with the head. // Dimensions: Head: length 15.3 cm // Width at top: 3.3 cm // Width at handle end: 9.0 cm // Height at handle end: 6.5 cm. // Length of handle: 11.5 cm // Associated information: Used for dressing areas that cannot be reached with a flat head. // References: RIB The Thatcher’s Craft 5790', Typed/hand-written list in accession file: No. 17.