Johns Worcestershire Gardening Memorabilia.

Johns interest in gardening began at an early age and by the time he was ten had become a seasoned gardener.

Although he is into his seventies, he is still passionate about tilling the earth.
His local gardening club will testify he still has great ability, as he always takes the top prizes at the annual show.
He is passionate about growing vegetables as well as propagating bedding plants and shrubs.

He owns a large collection of antique gardening tools including wheeled push hoes as well as old spades forks and hand tools.

Johns other passion is horses he owns a large selection of harness and horse drawn implements which includes ploughs scuffles and corn drills.

He is also a very capable carpenter so is able to repair and renovate his collection.
John sometimes puts his skill to good use by making Bird Tables and Garden seats for his neighbours who also keep him supplied with garden items for repair.

Dovecot in Johns Workshop.

John has just erected this dovecot in his garden, doves haven’t been attracted yet.

Good view for the birds.

Renovation required.

Renovating Old Horse Drawn Implements

My favorite pastime is collecting and restoring old farm machinery. I sometimes attend old farm sales in the local area to obtain suitable items. If I find anything of interest, I will make a bid at the auction, some items can be out of my price range, but occasionally I am able to pick up an old implement for a song. It is becoming more difficult, as people buy these antiquities for garden ornaments; this is reflected in the price they make. If I have been lucky in the sale the first problem is to transport the item home. Fortunately my friend has a large trailer and we soon have my purchase in the workshop.
First I make an inspection to assess the condition and if the machine is complete. Then consider what the likely cost will be to put it in to good order. Next I can begin to restore. First I will clean off all surface rust, and strip to pieces, if anything is broken I have to hunt around for replacement, otherwise a new part has to be made. Sometimes welding is required; (this can be expensive). I always keep a stock of old parts ready for any emergency that may arise. Next all parts are inspected and thoroughly cleaned ready to be painted I prime the parts with a red oxide paint before using a finishing coat. Traces of original colour can sometimes be found on the old parts, and a match is made. After the paint has dried thoroughly I reassemble and finally may have to make wooden parts using what’s left of the original as a pattern. John M.

Junk in Store.

Selling unwanted clutter can be profitable.

Car boot in Worcester.

Most people tend to hoard clutter and junk for years, in the hope that one day it may be useful or become valuable.
If you think an item does have some value take it along to the local auction rooms, they will be able to give an opinion of its worth but bear in mind that when an item is sold by auction, charges will be deducted from the price you receive.

A car boot can be a very good way to get rid of unwanted goods, but be prepared to take a realistic price, there will be lots of bargain hunters.
Boot sales are usually held in the summer on Sundays or even a Bank holiday.
They can be sometimes combined with a fete.
Look in the local newspaper or notice boards to find one in your area. Otherwise the local council or police may be able to advise where one is likely to be held.

Price your items and load your car the night before the sale.
Do not take large items, these are best sold through a free advert in the local newspaper.
Electrical items can be difficult to get rid of, don’t bother trying to sell drinking glasses especially if chipped, or cups without saucers.
Take with you a folding table, as your boot will not allow much to be displayed.
Enlist the help of a friend to help keep an eye on your stall, as there might be light fingered people about.
Wear a waist pouch to keep money in and take plenty of change, as most items will be low priced.
Take refreshments, could be a long day.
During the last couple of hours reduce prices to try and get a sale.
Any items left take to the local charity shop.

Worcester garage sale.

Holding a sale in your garage is another way to rid yourself of unwanted items.
Check with the local council sometimes a permit is required.
Advertise the time and place of sale on posters and shop windows.
Lay out items for sale on tables, put a price sticker on everything.
If you don’t have enough to sell ask your neighbors to bring unwanted items.
Put similar items like clothes and books, also similar priced items together.
Be prepared to haggle.
After the sale take down posters and anything unsold take to charity shop.

Genuine Blacksmith made heavy wrought iron gates, 1940’s to suit 8 foot 6 inches opening, approx 4 foot tall. Stamped with the blacksmiths name (A Corbett). The person that had these made, lived in the village behind the village stores, they were hung on brick built pillars.

Going Very cheap.

Contact basil@worcestervista.co.uk

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Kell horse drawn seed drill.

Kell, had factories producing farm machinery in Gloucester and Ross on Wye.
Listing a large range of cultivating equipment, they also manufactured horse drawn ploughs and drills.
This three row seed drill will be completely renovated to near original condition, probably taking about twelve months to complete. John M.

Refurbished Hand Operated Kell seed drill.

This hand operated machine has a metering disc and a rotating brush for accurately planting a range of seeds including beet, corn, mangels. The wheels can be adjusted to alter width of rows.

Old seed broadcaster, “Fiddle”.

Called a fiddle because it had a bow that spun a specially shaped wheel in alternate directions, onto which the seed dropped and was flung out, the rate and pattern could be adjusted. Distrubuting seed in this way allowed more accurate and economical sowing.
The seed fiddle was an improvement on original method of sowing using a “seedlip” this was a small sack of seed slung over a shoulder, broadcasting the seed by hand, it must have needed carefull hand and foot co-ordination to sow evenly.

Butter Churn in Johns workshop.

The Butter Churn

Up until the beginning of the last century, and even into the fifties, Farmers used this type of churn to produce their own butter. Cream was poured into the churn, sealed, and then agitated by turning the crank, until eventually butter was formed, leaving water and “buttermilk residue”, to be drained. Then the butter was washed with a weak salt solution, giving it a distinctive taste but prolonging its life. Next a piece of equipment called a “butterworker” was used. This was a fluted roller on a flat platform, using it on the butter until it had removed all water and whey. Finally the butter was made into blocks, using paddles; sometimes a mould was used for decoration, and to denote maker.