#mewes knitters

It’s time for another “What’s That?!” Wednesday!

Since we here in Reading were hit briefly by the Beast from the East (seriously? who chose that name?)  this week we’ve chosen something that fits in that theme. Can you guess what it is?

Don’t worry if you can’t, because we’re about to tell you.

These are snow shoes!

We think they have Ash frames on them, but they have a webbing across them almost like a misshapen tennis racket, which gives them more grip on the snow. The leather straps running horizontally over them is to give them a bit more strength in their pressure points (or possibly to repair them). 
These ones were worn by a gamekeeper in the late 1930′s in Hampshire. 
The ties on the top are to tie them on to your feet… preferably over shoes, because they don’t give you any warmth in the snow at all!

You can find them at the Museum of English Rural Life or have a look here for all the information we have on them. 

If you’re still being snowed in by the Beast, or you’re center stage for the face off between the Beast and Storm Emma why not have a look at how the Mewes Knitters have been volunteering and have provided our life-size plastic sheep with a lovely warm cardigan, and have hand made decorations and comfy cushions for the Shepherd’s Hut in the MERL garden!