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This cheese press was last used during the summers from from 1941 to 1952 at Park Farm, Moredon, Swindon. It was used during the cheese making process to remove whey.

MERL ‘Associated information’ form – 'On permanent loan from the Dairy Department. // Thanked verbally JGJ. // Last used during the Summers from 1941 to 1952 at Park Farm, Moredon, Swindon. // [pencil sketch] // [insert] See Correspondence. Lead is referred to and paid for. A lead tray which fits this press but is not referred to above has now been placed with the press. It must be the second item in the accession number which cannot otherwise be accounted for. M. F. 13.4.1960 [end insert] // Age // No idea // Who made it and where? // No idea // Who used it and where? // It was last used at the above address during the summers from 1941 to 1952. // How was it used (if not obvious) // In the process of making cheese.', MERL ‘History Artefacts’ card – 'A heavy wooden press. The wooden base (or stool) has 4 legs. There are two wooden uprights with a wooden bar across the top. The pressing plate is made of two thicknesses and is very solid. It is broken. An iron central screw fixed to the pressing plate at one end is fixed to an iron lever device at the top. There is a weight at the end of the lever to hold it down and an upright iron slot for the lever to move up and down inside. // There is a lead trap 66.0cm x 63.0cm which is presumable [sic] for standing the cheese // cont: on while pressing. The lead tray has a drainage hole at the front. // Use: For pressing cheese. // History: The Dairy Dept. obtained this press when it was removed from the Farm Dairy in Wiltshire. It is on permanent loan to the museum but lead was paid for. Whether this is the lead tray that is with the press is not entirely clear. // Conservation:'

1941