2009/93

This bee smoker was used to make bees drowsy and docile to prevent attack. It was donated to MERL along with some beekeeper's clothing and a swarm collection box 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. This smoker and clothing were likely purchased by the Browns through an advert in a beekeeping magazine, while the 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 smoker: metal; Rexine; wood; 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): Metal smoker used to make bees drowsy to prevent attack. // Physical description (free text): Green leather bellows fitted to two wooden boards by means of metal studs (with orange leather between the studs). Affixed to the top wooden board with metal screws and supports is a tubular metal container. One extremity is tapered, pointing upwards, with a handle on the top and is open at the end; this can be removed. The metal shows signs of rust and there is wear to the wooden boards. The colour of the leather is fading in some areas. // Associated information (free text): This smoker, along with beekeeper's clothing and a swarm collection box, 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. This smoker and the clothing were likely purchased by the Browns through an advert in a beekeeping magazine. The 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.’

Wood, Metal