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This is a thatching needle, used to secure the bunches of straw to the roof and to each other with twine (often tarred to keep the mice away). It has a T-handle and an eye at the pointed end. It came to the Museum as part of the Sharp Collection.

1 thatcher's needle: metal; good condition

The Sharp Collection of agricultural and dairying equipment was compiled by Reverend C. J. Sharp at Wonersh, Surrey. Reverend Sharp died in 1967 and the Museum acquired the Collection for £60 in 1968., MERL ‘Handwritten Catalogue’ form - ‘NEEDLE // Crafts straw thatch // SHARP COLLECTION // iron/wood [pencil drawing].’