2012/427/1-3

Wire strainer or 'tensioner' or 'monkey strainer', used by Joseph Bevan, at Miltons Farm on the Ascot Place Estate from 1967 to 1985.
This wire strainer, also known as a 'wire tensioner' or 'monkey strainer', forms part of a collection of objects donated to MERL by Mrs Jayne Traill. It was used by the donor's grandfather, Joseph Bevan, when stretching wire to make fencing to separate parts of a field, for example during lambing. Mr Bevan farmed at Miltons Farm on the Ascot Place Estate from 1967 to 1985 or 1986. He started farming around the 1940s or 1950s, and even after he retired from the farm he kept a small flock of sheep until 2001 when he died. He was a stockbreeder, keeping cattle and sheep, and occasionally grew crops.

1 wire tensioner in 3 parts: metal

Monkey Strainers (http://www.conservationgroups.org.uk/tools/monkey-strainers/, accessed by MERL on 16/07/2013) - 'Monkey Strainers // Monkey strainers are a specialist fencing tool which can be used to tension fencing wire. Sometimes they are called simply wire strainers or wire tensioners. // They are named because they have two arms which "climb" along the chain by each moving in turn, like a monkey climbing a tree one branch at a time. There are several ways that they can be used: // Repairing a broken wire: each end is attached to each half of the broken wire and the tool pulls the two end of the wire closer together. Eventually there is enough overlap that the wires can be twisted together or joined with a wire joiner, before the tension is released. // Straining a new wire: one end of the tool is attached to the free end of the wire, the other loops round the straining post. As the mechanism is operated the wire is tensioned all apart from a small section near the post, which is securely attached. Judgement is required to over strain the wire just enough so that when the tool is slackened off, the average tension in the wire is sufficient. // Straining stock netting: two sets of strainers are required. One is used for the top wire, one for the bottom. It can be hard to get the tensioners on and off because of the verticals in the stock netting. // There is almost no other tool that can be used to so effectively tension wire. However, there are some alternative to consider: // Fencing pliers can be used to add a bit of tension to very small lengths of wire. // Ratchet tensioners are sometimes incorporated into a fence so that no wire strainers need to be used. A spanner is used to turn the ratchet. The advantage is that extra tension can be added later on and they can be used for one-off jobs where it is not worth purchasing expensive monkey strainers. // Eye bolts are sometimes used for very thin wire in garden fences. // A spare fence post can be used to make an improvised strainer. But this requires some skill and is never going to be as effective as the proper tool. // Care and Maintenance // Regular oiling of the mechanism will prevent rust as well as ensuring good operation. Aside from that, brushing off mud and storing somewhere dry is all that is required. // Regular checks should be made for any failing or weak metal work. // The most common part to fail is the spring. It is still possible, albeit difficult, to use them without the spring. The springs are relatively simple to replace with careful use of a pair of small pliers. // Safety Points // Monkey strainers are a complicated and potentially dangerous tool because of the large amount of energy stored in a tensioned wire. Do not use them unless you have been trained by a competent person. // Wear goggles at all time. // Anyone not involved in straining – or not wearing goggles – should be at least 3m away from any point along the wire. // Only strain wires between solid straining posts which do not wobble and which have struts fitted. Do not use with posts knocked in by hand. It is not unknown for wobbly straining posts to be ripped from the ground and go flying in a dangerous manner. // Do not strain against trees. It would make future tree work dangerous or difficult and could damage chainsaws or injure operators. // Avoid trapping fingers in the tool. // Do not strain the wire so far that it snaps. This depends on the thickness of the wire and it is best taught by a more experienced user. // Avoid re-straining rusty or old wire. When repairing wire, do not use as much tension as for new wire. //To release the tension, carefully back off the tool. Do not attempt to release it suddenly.', List with photographs of the objects in this collection offered for donation to MERL that have been accepted., Set of images of associated docs and information (located in folder L:\MERL\Objects\Associated docs and photos relating to Joseph Bevan loaned by Jayne Traill Entry Form 406)., MERL Miscellaneous note - Associated information - The objects all belonged to the donor's grandfather, Joseph Bevan, who ran the farm at Ascot Place Estate. The farm was called Miltons Farm. Joseph Bevan, a cousin of Aneurin Bevan, was born in the 1920s and was originally from near Abergavenny, Wales. Before moving to Ascot, he farmed in Wales and in Shropshire - the donor estimates that he started farming in the 1940s. During and just after WW2, he had a lot of Italian prisoners to help on his farm. He moved to Ascot Place in 1967 and worked there until his retirement in 1985 or 1986. When Joseph Bevan arrived at the Ascot Place Estate, it was under the ownership of entrepreneur Clive Sinclair, and it was later brought by H. J. Heinz. // He kept cattle (but not dairy) and sheep, and occasionally did arable farming also. He won a ploughing match, about which there is a press cutting as it was considered unusual for a stockbreeder to have won. He was considered a local expert on sheep - other local farmers used to bring their flock to the farm to be sheared. He also used to look after other people's sheep and would usually get some lambs in return. The Welsh blacks he kept at Ascot Place were his own flock, as Mrs Heinz only wanted to keep white sheep. He kept Friesian cattle. Even after his retirement, he continued to keep a small flock of sheep until 2001, when he passed away., MERL Miscellaneous note - Jayne Traill Acquisitions - 'The wire tensioner was used for work on the farm's wire fences. The fences didn't often need repairing - she mostly remember them using the tensioner when they were making temporary barriers to block part of afield, such as during lambing.'