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 #SusanCalman 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.