MYSTERY OBJECTS

[Tizer]

No idea!

[Stanley]

OK! Its a fabric wrist band with a Velcro fastener. In the wide part it has 5 small but powerful magnets. I used it when I had a broken wrist and whilst I have no proof that the magnets worked, it certainly did no harm and I'd use it again.
Next one?

[Tizer]

What are these?

[chinatyke]

Pen holders for big pens. Umbrella stands?

[Tizer]

Sorry China, wrong!

[Big Kev]

Some sort of stylized gramaphone? An award or trophy perhaps?

[PanBiker]

Some of them have animals on the plinths, there's a rabbit on the top one, a ball on the second and some other kind of animal on the third?

[PanBiker]

Correction, the ball is part of the stand looking closer.

[Stanley]

I'm intrigued by the hexagonal shape of the 'horns' common to all of them. Could they be early microphones?

[Tizer]

None of you have got the correct answer but gramophone and microphone are getting closer!

[Stanley]

Early recording devices? Like the Edison Phonograph?

[chinatyke]

Musical boxes?

[Wendyf]

I think they are modern things, a bit arty/crafty and perhaps made from recycled materials.... There is a slot in them, could that be to park your mobile phone?

[chinatyke]

I think they are modern things, a bit arty/crafty and perhaps made from recycled materials.... There is a slot in them, could that be to park your mobile phone?

I hadn't noticed the slot. Going with Wendy's idea, do they act as amplifiers when using a mobile phone hands free, the mobile being parked in the slot?

[Tizer]

Wendy got part of the answer and China amplified upon it! They are Dokbloks. The company's web page says: `Dokblok is a practical, portable wooden docking station for smart phones made from oak, ash and other different locally sourced woods. Dokblok amplifies sound using the natural properties of wood.' (If I were being pedantic I'd say I didn't know they made smartphones from oak and ash!) Dokblok I took the photo on their trade stand at the Taunton Flower Show on Saturday. The company is based in the village of Milverton, a short distance from Taunton. They also have this page on the village's community web site: Milverton and they are on Facebook.

[chinatyke]

Whatever will they think of next?

Like you I understood it to mean smart phones made from oak, ash and other different locally sourced woods.

[plaques]

What's so special about this wagon?

P8040028AC.jpg

[Stanley]

Lovely detailed woodcut P. It has no shafts and so is primarily meant to be man-hauled like an artillery piece. As it is Board of Trade design I will guess that it is for use by coastguards and lifeboat services to convey the rocket propelled breeches buoy rescue apparatus to wherever it is needed.

[StoneRoad]

That is one of the Board of Trade waggons for a "Rocket Brigade"
It carries all the kit to fire the lines to set up a breeches buoy rescue from a ship wrecked onto the shore, or very close.

They were often man-hauled, but could be horse-drawn using traces / chains if not shafts.

The Rocket Brigades often worked in parallel with the Lifeboats.

[plaques]

Both Stanley and StoneRoad are spot on. Part of the relatively new exhibition at the 'Rocket House' Newbiggin. Similar pictures were on display at the 'Watch Tower' Museum Seaton Sluice.

P8040029.JPG

The Rocket was attached to a line which could be fired 300 yards. A much heavier rope could then pulled aboard from the wagon.

P8040030.JPG

The simulation shown here is dated 1886, the date stone over the Rocket House was 1866 albeit re-inscribed due to erosion.

[Stanley]

Next one?

[Stanley]

All right, I give in! Try this one.....



What sort of tree is it?

[Tripps]

Please let it be a koolabah tree. Looks shady enough.

[Tizer]

It must be eucalyptus - they don't have any other type of tree in Australia, do they?

[Marilyn]

Not a clear pic, I have to say ( maybe it's the resolution)
But just an average Aussie tree. Nothing special that I can see.
Was it where they hanged a bush ranger ?