2009/92/1-2

George Brown (Maker)

This wooden swarm collection box was used to hold bees. It was donated to MERL along with some beekeeper's clothing and a smoker by Mrs Kathleen Brown who used them, together with her late husband George Brown, in their home in Sandhurst. Mr Brown was born on 23rd February 1926 and died in 1993.The Browns kept bees from around 1980-1987 and owned four hives which were kept in their garden. They produced honey both for domestic use and to sell. The smoker and clothing were likely purchased by the Browns through an advert in a beekeeping magazine, while this swarm collection box was made by Mr Brown himself, probably around 1980 when they first began to keep bees. Mrs Brown was also a collector of honey pots.

1 box: loose lid with aluminium handle; plywood; perforated metal grid; good condition.

Email, Margaret Gale to MERL, 06 May 2009 - 'Yes mum is still willing to donate the bee keeping suits, smoke box and swarm collection box to the museum - if you would like them.. // Perhaps they can be collected from mum in Sandhurst at some point?', Email, MERL to Margaret Gale, 17 June 2009 - 'Please ignore my last. I had forgotten your previous email, in which you give the address as follows: // Mrs Kathleen Brown // ... // A phone number might also be useful though!', Email, Margaret Gale to MERL, 17 June 2009 - 'Yes thanks, mum is slowly recovering from her stay in hospital- and being dosed with masses of anti biotics - no energy though. // Here is my number if you need to change anything last minute on the morning of 25th: [...] // I will leave home about 9.45 am, as only takes about 10 mins to get to mum's. // If there are any problems after 9.45 am phone [...] - mum's number. // We look forward to meeting you', MERL ‘Object Accession Form’ – 'Short description (free text): Wooden swarm collection box used to hold bees. // Physical description (free text): Large wooden box with lid. Lid not affixed to box, can be lifted off completely. Lid rests on 2 thin pieces of wood at the top of the inner sides of the box. White, scratched metal handle on top of lid, affixed with a nail on each end. A large, rectangular hole has been cut in the centre of the lid and covered with a metal grill (to allow ventilation). Metal grill has been cut roughly and is affixed with small rusted nails. The small ends of the handle and grill nails have passed through the lid and protrude from the underside. Two sides of the box are taller than the other sides and rough rectangular holes have been cut to form handles. There are some marks, scratches and gouges all over the box. // Associated information (free text): This swarm collection box, along with beekeeper's clothing and smoker, were donated to MERL by Mrs Brown who used them, together with her late husband George Brown (23/02/1926-1993), in their home in Sandhurst. The Browns kept bees circa 1980-1987 and owned four hives which were kept in their garden. They produced honey both for domestic use and to sell. The smoker and clothing were likely purchased by the Browns through an advert in a beekeeping magazine. This swarm collection box was made by Mr Brown himself, probably around 1980 when they first began to keep bees. Mrs Brown was also a collector of honey pots.’

Sandhurst [Bracknell Forest [unitary authority]]

1980 - 1980

Wood, plywood, Metal