Casgliadau Arlein

Wooden hay oven with hinged lid and metal handles either side. Inside insulated with a ground weave of jute with a felted wool surface, and the insulating 'cover' inside has been stuffed with straw.

Pots of food would be brought to a boil and then placed in a box filled with hay or straw. Additional hay or straw would be added around and on top of the pot. Households were actively encouraged to adopt this method of fuel saving cooking during the Second World War. This box was made by a carpenter and used in Monmouth during the War.