A collection with plenty of point: Grandmother-of-four in her 70s is only person in Britain to collect BARBED WIRE
- Jacky Smith, of Christchurch, Dorset, picked up her prickly hobby 20 years ago while visiting Texas, USA
- The pensioner has assembled a formidable £1,400 collection of around 90 unique pieces of barbed wireJ
- Jacky believes she is the only person in the UK to collect the spiked steel fencing and passionately defended her 'fascinating' pastime from those who accuse it of being 'dull' and 'boringA pensioner who has spent two decades collecting barbed wire believes she is the only person in the UK to collect the spiked steel fencing.
Jacky Smith, from Christchurch, Dorset, picked up her prickly hobby more than 20 years ago and says she finds the history behind barbed wire 'fascinating'.
Others argue that her £1,400 collection might be the 'dullest' in the country.
But the retired English teacher, who is in her 70s, explained how a trip to Texas kickstarted her unusual pastime.
'I came across a museum in Texas called the Devil's Rope Museum - it was all about barbed wire.
'I purchased a zip lock bag of 4in pieces of wire from there which contained an information sheet about barbed wire. I became slightly obsessed ever since.'
Pensioner Jacky Smith, from Christchurch, Dorset has spent the last two decades assembling a formidable £1,400 collection of barbed wire (above)
The retired English teacher, who is in her 70s, believes she is the only person in the UK to collect the spiky steel fencing
Before the pandemic, Jacky would visit rotary clubs, church groups and even The Women Institute to provide informative talks
Jacky has decorated her hallway with approximately 90 unique pieces of mainly American barbed wire, with some dating back 160 years to the American Civil War.
And her interest in the spiky steel fencing even led her to decorate her toilet in a barbed wire theme.
She has a monthly subscription to a barbed wire magazine from America, and says she 'always makes time' to visit museums or conventions when she visits the States.
Before the pandemic, Jacky would visit rotary clubs, church groups and even The Women's Institute to provide informative talks about barbed wire.
Her prickly passion began after a trip to Devil's Rope Museum, Texas and she explains she has been 'slightly obsessed' ever since
Jacky has decorated her hallway with approximately 90 unique pieces of barbed wire, some dating back more than a century to the American Civil War
Even the toilet (pictured) and toilet roll holder in Jacky's house has been adorned with a unique barbed wire theme
She continued: 'I believe I am the only person in the UK to collect it - it is much bigger in the US and Australia.'
'Some people may consider my hobby as boring and unusual but it is so interesting.
'My two kids think it is weird and my husband tolerates it. But many people enjoy listening to the history.'
The pieces of 18-inch wire that make up her prized possessions range in price from as little as a penny to over £200.
But much of Jacky's collection was gifted by kind collectors, who she has met online.
She said: 'I've got 90 different barb wires on display in my hall which is a talking point when I have guests.
'The most expensive piece I own was £212 [$300] but it was a gift. The value is scarcity.'
No comments: