Object number
60/95
Description
Thatching bat for driving in spars securing thatch and dressing the straw into place. From Mr T. Harris,f Witheridge Farm, Hailey, Oxfordshire.
Thatching bats are used for driving in the spars (also known as 'spicks') which secure the thatch, and for dressing the reed/straw into place and ensure an even finish. Thatching bats are also known as 'biddles', 'liggetts', 'leggetts' and 'leggatts'. This bat appears to be home-made and consists of a piece of elm to which the handle of a tool such as a garden spade or fork has been screwed. It came from Mr T. Harris of Witheridge Farm in Hailey, Oxfordshire.
Physical description
1 leggett: wood; good condition
Archival history
MERL miscellaneous note, Greta Bertram, 10 January 2013 – Mr T. Harris had a smithy at Witheridge Farm in Hailey, Oxfordshire. Upon his death in February 1960, his daughter, Mrs M. K. Fenn, donated a large number of his tools to the Museum. Mr Harris had previously donated a number of objects to the Museum in 1952 and 1956.
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External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_5692.tif - High resolution image
