Object number
68/78
Collection
Exhibition
Description
This is a thatching bat, used for driving in the spars (also known as 'spicks') to secure the thatch, and for working the thatch into place. Thatching bats are also known as 'biddles', 'liggetts' and 'leggetts'. This bat is part of the Sharp Collection.
Physical description
1 bat: wood; metal
Label Text
<DIV STYLE="text-align:Justify;font-family:Georgia;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:16;color:#000000;"><P><SPAN><SPAN>'Thatching Bat // Used for neatening a thatched roof. The worker would hit this contraption (on the jagged side) onto the thatch as if he was combing it. The spike was used for holding it on the roof whilst the worker was using something else. Without this object all thatched roofs would be extremely untidy and birds would take away bits of straw. // MERL 68/78' [Text authored by students in UIII H at The Abbey School]</SPAN></SPAN></P></DIV>
Archival history
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 Accession’ form - ‘BAT // CRAFT - straw - thatch // The Sharp collection // [pencil drawing]’
Object name
Material
Associated subject
External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_8958.tif - High resolution image
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_10140.tif - High resolution image
