Object number
60/84
Description
This is a side rake, a thatching tool used like a comb in the preparation of straw for thatching to rake out unsuitable pieces such as weeds, a process known as 'yelming' or 'gabbling'. It consists of a piece of wood with eleven teeth at one end. There is a piece of twine wrapped around the end. The side of the rake is well worn from wooden knocking spars into the thatch. The rake came from Mr T. Harris at Witheridge Farm in Hailey, Oxfordshire.
Physical description
1 side rake: wood; fair condition: evidence of much wear
Archival history
MERL miscellaneous note, Greta Bertram, 10 January 2013 – Mr T. Harris had a smithy at Witheridge Farm in Hailey, Oxfordshire. Upon his death in February 1960, his daughter, Mrs M. K. Fenn, donated a large number of his tools to the Museum. Mr Harris had previously donated a number of objects to the Museum in 1952 and 1956., MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Museum of English Rural Life) – 'Standard museum name: … // Accession number: … // Classification: … // Negative number: … // Acquisition method: … // Acquired from: … // Date: … // Store: … // Condition: … // Recorder: … // Date: … // Description: Squarish length of wood which tapers towards both ends. Along one half there are eleven teeth, the most central end one of which is broken. There is a loop of twine at one end. Evidence of much wear. // Dimensions: Max length 86cm. Tallest tooth 5cm. Span of teeth 36cm. // Associated information: From the workshop of Mr. T. Harris, Witheridge Farm, Hailey, Witney. Donated by his daughter, Mrs. Fenn, on his death. Used for knocking spars in. // (1) A simple thatcher’s comb may be made by driving a series of long nails through part of the length of a 3 foot strip of wood. The protruding nail points constitute the comb teeth, and the nail free wood section is used as the handle. // References: (1) Thatching and Thatched Buildings: Michael Billet (Robert Hale, London).’
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External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_3306.tif - High resolution image