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Brenchley Hop Wagon,

This small push cart originally came from Brenchley, Kent, and was made by a wheelwright in the hop growing district of South East England in the mid nineteenth century. Such push carts, known as 'Brindley Hop Wagons', were used by women who worked in the hop fields: they were made deep so that the carts could be filled with hops, the children sitting on top of the load. At the time of acquisition in 1956, a 70 year old wheelwright in Wadhurst commented that he remembered his father making and repairing them, but their use was already declining when he was a child.

push cart: wood; metal

MERL ‘Associated information’ form – 'Brenchley Hop Wagon // Brenchley is a village a few miles from here [Wadhurst] in Kent // Age. 100/120 // Who made it and where? Local Wheel Wrights in this hop growing area of Sussex + Kent, the present owner Mr Bassett who is well over 70 tells me he can remember his father making or/and repairing them, but says 'They were on their way out when I was a boy.' // Who used it and where? They were used by the women who worked in the hop gardens the same way that "prams" are used now...', MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'Push cart // .. // c.1836-1840 // ... // This small push cart from the village of Brindley in kent, was made by a wheelwright in the hop growing district of South East England during the mid nineteenth century. They were used by women who worked in the hop fields, much in the same way as perambulators are used now. The bodies were made deep so that the women could fill the carts with hops, the children sitting on top of the load. The push carts were known as Brindley Hop Wagons, and they were in reality miniature four wheeled wagons. Mr. Bassett, a 70 year old wheelwright of Wadhurst, says "I remember my father making and repairing them, but they were on their way out when I was a boy." // The vehicle is very well designed and made. The body which is 36 inches long, 16 inches in maximum width and 18 inches wide consists of planking half way up the sides, while the top is made up of elaborately turned spindles joining the mid rail to the top rail. The tyred rear wheels are each 19 inches in diameter and the fore wheels 12 inches in diameter. A draught pole runs from the forecarriage and the whole vehicle is painted a dark green.'

South East England [region]

1836 - 1840

Wood, Metal