Friends,

I haven't seen a note of this on the Porch, but for those who knew him, 
or knew of him, Ken Hawley died in Sheffield UK on the 15th of August.

There is a tribute to Ken on Joel's blog at:

http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/store/blog/682/title/Ken%20Hawley,%2
0MBE%201927-2014">http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/store/blog/682/title/Ken%20
Hawley,%20MBE%201927-2014

and some further information on the Hawley Collection Website at:

http://www.hawleytoolcollection.com/index.php?sheffield-
tool=trustees">http://www.hawleytoolcollection.com/index.php?sheffield-
tool=trustees

which provides a link

http://www
.youtube.com/watch?v=ijCEeRIdQSo&feature=youtu.be

to a youtube video of Ken among some of his and the Collection's tools, 
chopping and changing between his garden workshop and the Collection's 
display and store rooms in Sheffield's  Kelham Island Museum.

I was fortunate to meet Ken in October 2013, (about the time this video 
was made) while visiting Kelham Island Museum specifically to see the 
Collection's display there. My wife, who has limited interest in old 
tools was getting directions to go shopping from the Receptionist, when 
Ken passed behind us and on into the Museum.  I followed and introduced 
myself and then spent a wonderful couple of hours with him and some of 
his friends behind the scenes.  My primary interest was Preston tools, 
and despite their having been a Birmingham firm Ken was happy to show me 
some wonderful examples of their tools from the "behind the scenes" 
portion of the collection.

I was especially privileged in that while he was showing me the 
collection, introducing me to his friends, drinking tea and generally 
yarning Ken should have been at home to meet a locksmith and security 
adviser, his home having been burgled a few days before.  A kind and 
generous man, possessed of immense knowledge in his field and an amazing 
collection of anecdotes.

Tony B
Hobart, Tasmania