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This is a spar hook, a thatching tool used for splitting and pointing hazel spars. It consists of a slender, curved, billhook-shaped iron blade with a wooden handle. It dates from 1880 and was used by Ben Wisbey, a thatcher of Langley, Essex. It is part of a collection of thatching tools donated by Jeff King, a thatcher and former thatching advisor at CoSIRA.

1 spar hook: metal; wood; good condition

MERL miscellaneous note – ‘Collection of thatching tools given by Mr Geoff [Jeff] King, … , Evesham, Worcs, … , in February 1994. // Geoff King: // Took advantage of gov’t rehabilitation scheme on leaving the navy in 1957 to learn thatching. He was taught by George Wright, a thatcher of Nurseling, Southampton. After three years, he set up business on his own account on the outskirts of Southampton. // In 1970 he became Thatching Adviser for COSIRA [Council for Small Industries in Rural Areas]. This involved much travel, giving advice to other thatchers, house owners, public authorities etc. The job also involved being one of the tutors on the thatching course run at Knuston Hall adult education centre, near Wellingborough, Northants. These are two week courses for apprentice thatchers and they have to attend three a year. The courses are put on by the Rural Development Commission, successor body to COSIRA. // Geoff King retired in the summer of 1993, but reorganisation with the Rural Development Commission resulted in a delay in the appointment of his successor so he stayed on a little longer. // The tools that Mr King has given to the Museum have been collected in the course of his work around the country over the last twenty years and were accessories in his teaching. // See The Thatcher’s Craft, Rural Industries Bureau, 1960. Library ref. 5790. Chapter 7, Thatching Tools and Materials, P.205.’, MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Institute of Agricultural History) – 'Recorder: RB/JMB // Date: August 1994 // Description: SPAR HOOK // Slender hook made of iron, blade tanged into wooden handle which has knob at the end. Tip of blade has been broken or shortened. // Inscription: W.H.S. on tip of blade // Dimensions: Total length: 33.7 cm // Length of handle: 14.8 cm // Associated information: This hook dates from 1880 and was used by Ben Wisbey, Langley, Saffron Walden, Essex. // Used for splitting and pointing hazel spars. // References: 5790 RIB The Thatcher’s Craft’, Typed/hand-written list in accession file: No. 22.

1880-01-01

Wood, Metal