History of Agricultural Education in Wiltshire - Lackham Countryside ...

CHAPTER VIII
LACKHAM AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM
The Lackham Museum has given pleasure to many thousands of visitors and students
since its inception in 1950. The College is grateful to those members of staff and
students who have given up their leisure time to act as voluntary part—time curators.
1950 Mr W London Warden and Founder
1351—00 Mi- J Leese Warden
1960-64 Mr W Brooke Beekeeping Officer
1964-66 Mr T J Witchell Machinery Lecturer
1967-68 Sir J Spencer-Smith) Students
Mr Richard K Hart )
1968-71 Mr J Hookey Warden
1971-72 Mr K Hill Warden
1972-73 Mr A Heron Warden
1973-74 Mr G H Owen Warden
The following notes were written by Mr Brooke and Mr Witchell:-
W BROOKE, PART-TIME CURATOR 1966
The Lackham Museum, an interesting and worthwhile contribution to local historical
knowledge and records, was born about 14 years ago, the then Warden, Mr W London,
was given a few old hand tools from the Tithe Barn at Bradford-on-Avon. Since then
we have continually added to our collection, and we are always on the lookout for
more, either by gift or purchase. What may have become redundant on the farm could
be a valuable link in the chronicle compiled in the museum,
It is surprising how quickly the names and the purposes of old tools are forgotten.
For instance, how many young farmers, who are expert on tractors, would know the
names of different pieces of horse harness, of which we now have some very good
examples?
Adept though they may be at hitching a tractor, would they know how to harness a
horse for ploughing or for carting? Unless records of old implements and tools are
kept, knowledge of old methods in farming could be lost for ever. We aim at keeping
a permanent record, although the size of some of the implements and labour involved
would cause a lot of head scratching and perhaps coarse words today.
The museum is now widely known. It can boast television appearances on more than
one occasion, write-ups in local and national newspapers, and agricultural journals
publish photographs and articles quite readily. The American press have shown such
interest that we can expect a take-over bid any day now! Every week more visitors