2018/16

Poultry wicker carrying basket designed for two bantam chickens. The basket was used to send birds for competition and exhibition at major poultry competitions around the country by its owner Will Burdett MBE. It was probably actively used in 1950s and 1960s. Attached to the top of the basket is a transport label giving the owner's address and contents of 'Black Orpingtons'. The basket is made of willow and lined with hessian to allow air to circulate. There are two leather straps to secure the lid.

1 basket: wood, willow, textile, leather, metal, paper, string

Museum Object Entry Form – ‘Museum Name: MUSEUM OF ENGLISH RURAL LIFE // Received from: MIKE HATCHER // Address: […] NEWBURY // Tel No: // Owner (if different): LORNA JACKSON [DAUGHTER OF WILL BURDETT // Address: […] // Tel No: // Description of Object/Collection: 1 X Poultry wicker carrying basket designed for 2 bantams. Probably actively used in 1950s and 1960s. Features standard transport label (prob Rail Transport label). Possible that we can identify finer date details by looking as archive papers. It was used by Will Burdett (MBE) of Hutton Sessay, Thirsk, North Yorkshire. Served for a record 53 years on Poultry Club Council. Label on basket links to ‘British Transport Commission’ receipts. Basket used to send birds for competition/exhibition at major poultry competitions around the country. // Reason for Entry: Donation // Additional Agreement (Donations/Sales Only): the depositor acting on behalf of Lorna Jackson, daughter of Will Burdett // Museum Signatory: Oliver Douglas // Return of Object to Owner:', MERL miscellaneous note - 'Notes from meeting Mike Hatcher on 5 January 2018 by Madeleine Ding // Poultry travelling basket // The basket is made of willow to allow air to circulate. To help with keeping the basket clean is it lined with hessian, which can be replaced when it becomes very dirty. The textile layer allows air to circulate. // Mike Hatcher remembers at the show in Reading in 1970 birds arriving at the station in bird boxes. The section on top of the box is for the travel information. If a bird won a prize and the owner wasn’t at the show the card was attached to the box for the return journey.', MERL miscellaneous note - York Press 'Royal Approval for Unsung Heroes' 31 December 2005 - '[..] William Burdett, of Hutton Sessay, near Thirsk, was awarded an MBE for services to the poultry industry. The 81-year-old was Keeper of Poultry to the Queen Mother for 25 years, and has given life-long service to the governing body, the Poultry Club Of Great Britain. He has been a breeder for more than 60 years.'

1950

Wood, willow, Leather, Metal, Paper, Fibre