What is this garden tool?

[Bob LambParticipant @boblamb44747]

Last week we visited the National Trust Dyffryn Gardens in South Wales and, if you haven’t been there, they are well worth a visit.   In the bothy there was a collection of gardening tools including this “SPORK” – a combination of a spade and a fork.   I have never seen anything like it before and nobody there knew what is was called  or what is was for.  My guess, for what it’s worth, is it was used for digging up some kind of root vegetable – swede or parsnip? – and the vegetable would stay on the tines while the loose earth could then be shaken off.  Does anyone have an old gardening tool catalogue or a better idea which could throw some light on this or maybe it was a one off which just did not catch on?

I look forward to any ideas – Bob

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

I think it is just a local blacksmith made lawn edger, instead of the now normal heart shaped ones.

[peter1972Participant @peter1972]

It’s a clay spade.

https://gardenandwood.co.uk/products/yardleys-clay-spade

https://brookruralmuseum-catalogue.org.uk/tool-type/drainage

[Bob LambParticipant @boblamb44747]

Thanks for the replies – I also originally thought it was a one off locally made tool but for what I did not know.

I have great faith in the hugely wide knowledge available on this forum but I didn’t think the answer would come so quickly – thank you Peter.    I also feel a trip coming on to the Brook Rural museum!   Bob

[peter1972]

On peter1972 Said:

It’s a clay spade.

https://gardenandwood.co.uk/products/yardleys-clay-spade

https://brookruralmuseum-catalogue.org.uk/tool-type/drainage

Well spotted that Man! 😉

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