THE Craven Curiosity, pictured below, from last week was another of those items that foxed everyone in the Herald office - but not several readers of perhaps a more culinary cast of mind!

Stephen Lodge, of Threshfield, said: “I think it could be a tin opener - but it’s a difficult one!”

But others were more on the right lines. Hywel Davies, of Hellifield, maintained: “I believe this to be an orange/lemon/grapefruit skin slicer/shredder for marmalade ingredient preparation.”

Cath Cooney said: “I think this week’s object is an early peeler or can opener,”while Phillip Ridge was spot on: “I think this week’s Curiosity is a marmalade cutter.”

Anne Read, of the Museum of North Craven Life at The Folly in Settle, explains: “ With the 2019 marmalade-making season fast approaching, it’s interesting to see how the laborious job of chopping up the orange peel used to be done.

“This cutter, probably dating from the early 20th century, is still fully functional and was made by Follows and Bate of Gorton, Manchester.

“There is a clamp and metal screw to fix it to the table top, and a removable wooden tamper. An attached wooden handle moves a sharp metal blade from side to side. Still hard work, but a lovely sturdy old piece of ‘kitchenalia,’ which must have once been an essential aid in every marmalade-eating household.”

This week’s Curiosity, pictured below, should prove more straightforward - please send your suggestions by email to: news@cravenherald.co.uk by 8am on Monday.