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Durham neck,

Roger Couling (Maker)

Straw dolly consits of a straight plait. Made by Roger Couling at Reading School in 1962, using Swedish straw.
This straw dolly consits of a straight plait, 18 inches long, with a loop at one end and the ears of wheat at the other. It was made by Roger Couling at Reading School in 1962, using Swedish straw. It is of a type made by many other boys in Great Bardfield, Essex, where dolly-maker Fred Mizen lived.

1 corn dolly: corn

MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Institute of Agricultural History) – 'DOLLY // CRAFTS Straw dollies // Description // A straight plaited corn dolly with the ears of wheat at one end and a loop at the other. // Local name: Durham Neck. // Dimensions // Length: 18 inches // Associated information // This dolly was made by the donor while at Reading School in 1962. It was made from Swedish straw (see recording form). It is of a type made and used in Gt. Bardfield where Fred Mizen lived. The craft of dolly making was kept alive by the boys in the village.', MERL Recording form – 'Who used it // new // Where was it used // Gt. Bardfield // Has it a local name // 'Durham neck' // Who made it // Donor // When was it made // 1962 // Where was it made // (Reading School) - ex Bardfield. // From what materials is the object made // Swedish straw. (British straw is not long enough. Obtained by seedsman visiting village) // Additional information // Made in village where Fred Mizen lived. Boys in village have kept to the tradition - making smaller dolly types. Gt. Bardfield, Essex. A small museum of straw work has been opened.'

Reading

1962 - 1962