Objektnummer
94/33
Ophav
Beskrivelse
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 head with twenty-six large, shallow holes on the face, and large and small holes along the edges. It was made by Jeff King, a thatcher and former thatching advisor at CoSIRA, and was used for making eaves patterns.
Fysisk beskrivelse
1 Norfolk reed leggett: wood; good condition
Arkivhistorik
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 // Arc shaped, wooden leggett. The head has 26 large, shallow holes on its face and large & small holes along the edge of the head. The wooden handle is fixed to the head with a nut and bolt. // Dimensions: Head: 24.3 cm wide // 7.7 cm long // 3.6 cm high // Curved edge: 30.0 cm // Length of handle: 24.3 cm // Associated information: This arc shaped leggett was used for making eaves patterns. // Made by Geoff King. // References: RIB The Thatcher’s Craft 5790', Typed/hand-written list in accession file: No. 16.
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Eksternt dokument
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_16248.tif - High resolution image