Tool collector shares his passion

An enthusiast whose collection of Sheffield-made tools has been brought together in a new museum will be sharing his passion with members of the public this weekend.
By The Newsroom
Published 26th Mar 2010, 10:18 BST
Updated 26th Mar 2010, 10:19 BST

Ken Hawley, a former tool retailer, began collecting more than 50 years ago, and earlier this month the Hawley Gallery opened to showcase the huge range of items he has kept.

The gallery is on the site of Sheffield's existing Kelham Island Museum and chief curator Alison Duce, seen with a giant trowel, used for advertising, has overseen the conversion of a former saw works for the project.

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She and her team will join Mr Hawley on Sunday when he will host an "ask the expert" session, where visitors can bring along tools to find out more about their history.

Gallery spokesman Jenny Bland said: "Following the official opening we are really excited to be hosting our first public event. The collection is well known among academics and collectors but this is the first opportunity to showcase it to a wider audience."

Mr Hawley's priceless collection was taken into the ownership of a Sheffield-based trust in 1994, and the gallery was built with the help of a 595,000 Heritage Lottery Fund

grant.

Picture: Chris Lawton

Related topics:SheffieldKelham Island Museum