Some Winsley objects in the Museum Collection
Winsley, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire
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A child’s sarcophagus (stone coffin) which was found in a field near Parsonage Farm, Winsley. It was originally carved from a single block of limestone, but had been broken into several pieces by ploughing. The lid, which would have been another single piece of stone, was not found. It looks as if there might have been a small settlement somewhere nearby. Local amateur archaeologist Adrian Powell, who found the pieces, worked out the 3D jigsaw and reconstructed it.
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Bradford on Avon Museum holds several articles that relate to the former Sanatorium or Chest Hospital that was situated in old quarries above Murhill and is now Avon Park Retirement Village.
A pencil drawing of the sanatorium made by Grace Barton in 1974 belonged to the hospital and was given to Bradford Museum with various other objects by its last Administrator.
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Dr Lionel Alexander Weatherly MD, MRCS (1852-1940) was the son of Frederick, a surgeon in Portishead, Somerset. He was instrumental in the setting up of the sanatorium and continued in charge until 1907, when he became Superintendant of Bailbrook House in Bath. He was a prolific writer of medical books and articles.
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One of several in-house magazines that were produced by the patients of the sanatorium. This one was the Christmas 1951 edition.
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The porcelain chamber pot is one of a batch that was purchased at the time the Winsley Sanatorium opened in 1905.
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The Museum has a collection of carpenters’ hand tools that were used in the workshop and undertaker that was next to the Seven Stars pub.
A moulding plane is one that was used to cut a shape into the edge of a piece of wood. A carpenter would have had several in his workshop because each one cut an individual profile. The blade and the underside of the beechwood holder are shaped to the profile. These planes take skill to use, because they have to be held at the right angle all the way along the work.
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The plough plane was used to cut a groove into a piece of wood, usually to make a long joint into which another piece fits. The depth of the groove can be set by wedging the blade and somestimes blades of different widths can be used. So that the groove is cut at the same distance from the edge all along the workpiece, there is an adjustable fence that is locked with wedges. This and the moulding plane were used by Jack Mortimer at Forster’s workshop in Winsley.
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The sale particulars for the auction of Winsley Manor in 1825. The property was purchased by Dunkin & Baber, whose copy this was. James Baber occupied the house and developed the quarries at Murhill.
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See also old photographs of Winsley
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