Museum Objects of the Week 2026

2026 sees the return of our Museum Objects of the Week (last featured in 2022!)

Week 1: Our first exhibit has to be the Oldest Lawnmower in the World (1830s), exhibited by us throughout 2025 until the new year, when it returned to its home in Ipswich. The Budding mower was made by John Ferrabee of Stroud and is owned by Ransome Jacobsen Ltd.

Curator Clive Gravett says: "It will be missed, but what a fantastic year bringing this unique and rare mower to the public’s attention and giving it the prominence it deserves." #museum #sussex #objectoftheweek

Week 2: Cast Iron Rustic Bench. Dating from 1851s/60s and sold by John Jones, Southwark, London for £1-2s in 1860. One of the first iron benches designed to look like earlier rustic ones that were made of actual branches and twigs.

The original design referred to as the ‘Oak leaf & Acorn’ pattern is attributed to McDowall, Steven & Co, Glasgow in the 1840s. One of our curator Clive’s favourites!

Object of the Week 3: The ‘Parmiter Major’ boot & shoe cleaner.

'A most useful machine for removing heavy dirt' as described by this advert from 1909 entitled 'The Merry Beaglers' or 'Idols with feet of Clay'. Our exhibit underwent a full restoration, due to its poor unrecognisable condition when acquired. This invention was patented in 1906 by Philip and Gabriel Parmiter and was sold as being ideal for your Country House or Golf Club.

Object Week 4: Bent Cutter.

An unusual & rare mower introduced 1906 for cutting ‘Bents’, the tough erect grass that traditional mowers flatten. Used on golf greens and cricket squares, with a cutting width of 24 inches. Our exhibit is in remarkable original condition, with only one other known to exist.

Object Week 5: Webb Children’s mower

Manufactured by H C Webb & Co. in Birmingham 1957-1960s. A child size working lawn mower, we have two on display in the museum unused in original packaging. One also modelled by Molly aged 9 months, she turned 5 this week and is also pictured planting trees.

Object Week 6: Little Gripper

Patented by Alexander Harris in 1906, designed to weed, pick flowers and fruit and to prune. In a 1906 ‘Gentlewoman’s’ magazine it stated that it can also be used as a walking stick and to pick up stray trifles! Priced at 5s.

Object Week 7: Pal Vine Injector

A fascinating implement, loved by Susan Calman when she visited our museum in 2024. See separate blog for further information: https://www.museumofgardening.co.uk/post/pal-vine-injector

Object Week 8: Thomas Greens Lawn Edger

A unique exhibit, the only known survivor, produced 1883 to 1894, very expensive at the time so we assume few were sold and that most used hand shears to edge their lawns.

Object Week 9: The Grange Killweeder Patented 1929, lovely brass tool deposits dose of powdered weedkiller directly onto weed by a simple downward push on sprung mechanism. Our exhibit badged Toll Lawn Dressings Buxted.

Object Week 10: Bryant Greenhouse Heater Produced in the 1950s/60s by P J Bryant, Fishponds, Bristol. Paraffin heater, approximately 1.5m wide and hot air was distributed via the copper tubes.

Object Week 11: Rodine Rat Poison Box

Popular in the 1940s/50s, when most garden sheds would have had a tin of Rodine Rat/Mouse poison. It soon became clear the Yellow Phosphorus it contained was dangerous to other animals & humans so it was eventually banned in 1963 (although Rodine with different ingredients is still sold today). Our box dates from 1952 and is displayed with our rat & the original instructions which show signs of rodent damage!

Object of the Week 12: A Rare Garden Golf Game

Patented in 1922 by Captain W P Dean from Burgess Hill West Sussex. In original box with instructions. A nine-hole golf game designed to avoid the necessity of cutting holes in the lawn.

Object of the Week 13: Terry’s Spring Ring plant supports

Patented in 1946 by Herbert Terry & Sons famous for manufacturing the first Anglepoise lamp.

A clever design using a small spring to fix the support ring to a bamboo cane.

Object of the Week 14: Pattissons Turf Race

Used on golf courses to help with the cutting of new turf. Two examples from 1930s. We do in fact have one of each type for sale at present, please enquire if interested please email: clive@museumofgardening.co.uk

Object of the Week 15: Pluviette Sprinkler

Invented by Paul Zeyssolff from Germany and patented in 1912. Later manufactured by Lloyds of Letchworth and offered in various sizes and design. We also have a larger model on display. Ours can be seen in action in this Gardeners World clip….

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p09dlfvw