Hook and by Crook
Adding to the Museum Collection
The Museum gets offered hundreds of items for its collection each year—most commonly, lawnmowers, mangles, sewing machines and hand-tools. As a result, a rare offer of a Shepherd's Hut aroused much interest!
A shepherd at a farm in Barking had used the Hut for many years before its removal for use as a garden shed by the donor's father and later himself. It was in remarkably good condition for its age!
Next came the removal challenge! At some point the Hut had been lifted off its wheels so there was no guarantee it could support its own weight, meanwhile, the only vehicular access was via a farmer's field—and that was full of crops! Plans were made and vehicles borrowed, then the wait for harvest began. A call was received many weeks later and it was all systems go! Thanks to an understanding farmer, a keen donor and a persistent Estate team the Shepherds Hut reached the Museum in one day and one piece. The Museum plans to conserve the hut and use it to tell various aspects of the sheep story, including shepherding, where our food comes from and sheep coats to woolly jumpers!
If you have time and skills that could help with this, please let us know!