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Turning knife used by William Rees, Teifi Valley, south-west Wales, early 1900s.

William Rees of Aber-banc was the last in a long line of wood-turners in his family. His speciality was making wooden utensils for the kitchen and dairy; bowls, milk skimmers, cheese vats, spoons and ladles. Rees sold his products at local fairs and markets. But by the 1930s wooden ware was being replaced by mass produced ceramics and enamelware. William Rees became the last turner living by his trade in the county.

The principle tool of the wood turner was the turner's knife, consisting of a small hook on the end of a very long shaft and thick handle