MYSTERY OBJECTS

[Stanley]

You have it Tiz. Pigeon cotes, a good protein supplement in days gone by.
next one?

[Stanley]

Apologies because this is mainly for Barlickers or those with very good memories. Who lived in the house in Chapel Street that had a Monkey Puzzle tree in the garden? (Pity that someone took it out, I think it was the only one in the town)

[PanBiker]

I believe that it was Nurse Edith Barlows, Barlick's legendary midwife.

[Tizer]

Stanley, have you never seen the size of a mature Monkey Puzzle tree?

[PanBiker]

There is a Victorian "country pile", can't remember the name that we visited, it's up on the North East coast near Alnwick. A good proportion of the estate is planted with araucaria araucana. They are very impressive when they are grown up. Victorians were very keen on the species, It's a bit like coals to Newcastle there I suppose, that coast was covered in them millions of years ago and gave rise to the Whitby Jet industry.

[Stanley]

Yes Tiz but in that tiny front garden the root growth would be severely restricted. Ian is dead right of course, Edie Barlow midwife extraordinary.

[Tizer]

There's a well-known Monkey Puzzle in a small garden in a village near here. It stands higher than anything else in the village except for the church steeple and you can see it as a landmark from many miles away. The villagers can find there way home by it.

[Stanley]

When they have been to the pub on a dark night?

[Tizer]

Of course - after all, this is the land of scrumpy cider!

[Stanley]

Try this one

[chinatyke]

Pure guess. Is it something to do with spinning fibres by hand?

[Stanley]

You are very warm China, it's textiles.

[Tripps]

I recognised it immediately from my childhood. Most kids had one - it was used as a sword in pirate games. We knew it was something from the mill - but I haven't any idea what its original purpose was.

PS - I seem to remember I think we called them 'spindles'

[Stanley]

I'm going to give it to you David. It's a spindle out of the carriage on a mule frame. The small pulley was for the driving band that spun them and the yarn package, usually a weaving cop was formed on them.
Next one?

[Tripps]

"I'm going to give it to you David. It's a spindle"

Wow - that's a first - I wasn't even actually entering - just reminiscing.

[Stanley]

You named it correctly! Try this one....

[chinatyke]

One for me? Is it made of bamboo?

[Stanley]

Yes, but what is it?

[Wendyf]

Is it a brush pot?

[chinatyke]

Is it a brush pot?

...for holding the calligraphy brushes, or I was thinking the ink, Wendy.

[Stanley]

Wendy has it exactly. I can't remember where I got it but didn't realise what it was until I cleaned it up. I think it has a bit of age to it and the light engraving on it is very good quality.

Try this one....

[Stanley]

No takers? Maz has sent this one for you to ponder on. What product sports this label?

[Wendyf]

Butter churns Stanley?

[Stanley]

Yes Wendy, Blow butter churns for about a quart of cream. Twice a week at Harrods Farm it was my job to turn the handle for Mrs Gleed to keep us supplied with butter.
Now you can all concentrate on Maz!

[Tizer]

Maz, is it Foster's lager?