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Graham Viant (Manufacturer)

Thatching bat or leggett. The triangular shape allows access to difficult places. Made by Graham Viant in Truro, Cornwall, in the late 1970s.
This is a thatching bat, also known as a leggett, for use on a roof thatched with combed wheat reed. A thatcher uses a bat to dress the reed/straw into place and ensure an even finish; and the head of the bat is usually treated in some way so as to catch the ends of the reed/straw. This wooden bat has a triangular head with eight grooves. The triangular shape allows access to difficult places. The bat was made by Graham Viant, an apprentice thatcher in Truro, Cornwall, in the late 1970s. It is part of a collection of thatching tools donated by Jeff King, a thatcher and former thatching advisor at CoSIRA.

1 leggett: 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: July 1994 // Description: BIDDLE OR LEGGETT COMBED WHEAT REED // A wooden leggett with a triangular head and short wooden handle fixed directly into the back of the head. There are 8 grooves on the head. // Dimensions: Head: 23.5 x 15.5 x 10.2 cm wide // Handle length: 14.5 cm // Associated information: This leggett was made by apprentice Graham Viant, Truro, Cornwall. Late 1970’s. // References: RIB The Thatcher’s Craft 5790', Typed/hand-written list in accession file: No. 14.

Truro [Cornwall]

1970-01-01 - 1979-12-31

1970s