2002/20

Sample cask made by an apprentice at Simonds Brewery in Reading. Made sometime after 1947, when Horace Dines was head cooper there.
This sample cask was made by an apprentice at Simonds Brewery in Reading. It was made sometime after 1947, during the time that Horace Dines was head cooper there.

1 cask; wood (oak), metal (copper, steel)

MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Museum of English Rural Life) – 'SAMPLE - CASK // Description // 1 sample cask: (includes separate stand for it to rest on) // - made of oak staves; bound with 4 brass rings; steel tap at one end; bung hole in top (but no bung). // - stand consists of two shaped end pieces joined by six wood rods. // Dimensions // Cask: 38 x 19cm (total length including top x diameter at end) // Stand: 23 x 23 x 23cm (length x width x height) // Associated information // Made by apprentice cooper at Simmons of Reading (during Horace Dines' time there as head cooper.) // This sample cask was deposited along with another (2002/21) and coopering tools (2002/19). // For information about Horace Dines, see Acc. Sheet 2002/19.', MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Museum of English Rural Life) [2002/19/1-5] – 'COOPER'S TOOLS // Description // 5 Cooper's tools: // 1 compass (2002/19/1) // 2 hoop drivers (2002/19/2+3) // 1 timber scribe (2002/19/14) // 1 box scraper plane (2002/19/5) // See attached sheet for separate details. // ... Associated information // Used by Horace Dines (b.1905-d.1988) during his cooper's apprenticeship at Meux (London brewers). // In 1947 he became head cooper at Simmons of Reading. // He then became head manager of Courage Central. Retired in 1970 // See also Acc. No. 2002/20 and 2002/21 for two sample casks made by apprentices at Simmons and deposited by Mr. Dines along with these tools.'

1947

Wood, oak, Metal, copper, Metal, steel