Object number
60/255/2
Collection
Description
This timber wedge was used by a handlemaker at his workshop at Heatherdene, Bucklebury Common, Berkshire until 1950. It is 6 ½ inches long, and made of steel, and was probably used to split timber.
Physical description
1 wedge: steel
Archival history
MERL miscellaneous note – H.J Wells of Bucklebury Common, Berks. ‘Handlemaker’ [underlined]//Information from the donor of the Harry J. Wells collection of tools:- Mr Wells did work for the following, Maxims, London; Hamilton Brush Works, London; Perrett (E. India Dock Rd?). London; Harrow Brush Works; New Bros, Newbury; The Admiralty (for whom he made tar mop handles). He also made forks for racing stables.//Burgess, nephew of Mr Arlott the carrier at Benham Berks., still does similar work but real competition came from a factory set up in Thatcham – John Brown, now Collins and Witts.//For additional information on H. J. Wells see:-Woods, K.S. ‘Rural Crafts of England’ [underlined] p.20 (C.F.F. Snow photograph of Wells working at his pole lathe which was not acquired by MERL) p.112 Wells shaping scythe handles on a rack (also not acquired by MERL) p.113 drawing of the brake used by Wells (60/273) p.114 description of the tining horse, invented by Wells, in use (60/276) p.116 diagram of Wells using the tining horse. //Woods, K.S. ‘Rural Industries Round Oxford’ [underlined] General description of the conditions prevailing in underwood turnery with ref’s to the Newbury & Thatcham area and a description of Bucklebury Common. //Snow, C.F.F A Workshop of the Countryside in ‘CountryLife’ [underlined] 7th Dec. 1945, pp1006-7. Describes H.J. Wells and his work. Illustrated with Snow’s photographs.//MERL Photograph Library contains a umber of Snow’s photographs. The negative index contains an interior view and several exterior views of Well’s workshop.//Information from Miss Edwards. 31st August 1960 :- ‘Harry’ Wells worked for 40 years at Heatherdene and retired about 10 years ago. Before setting up on his own he worked for John Brown, now Collins and Witts, of Thatcham. He obtained timber ‘wherever he could get it’, Eagleford and Stratisfield Saye being among his sources. Twenty-five years ago two men and a boy worked in the business.//Wells made stable fork handles, wooden rakes, scythe handles, tar mop handles, mattock handles and hoe handles.
Object name
Material
Associated subject
External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_3501.tif - High resolution image
