Besom

A besom is a broom made of brush or twigs which are bound with a bond known as a ‘lap’. This is a two-lapped birch besom, for general use. It is part of a large collection of traditional craft products made circa 1945–6 and acquired from the British Council in 1960. It was supplied by, and probably made by, F. Saunders of Tadley, Hampshire, where besom making was a local industry.