Collecting a rule of thumb

Anne Hayes has enough thimbles to cover 200 thumbs.

She has collected them for over 50 years now, and they're blue-tacked on shelves in the event of a big shake.

On the forefinger of her left hand is a glass thimble, especially blown for her by a glass blower who had never made a thimble before.

Mrs Hayes used to do a lot of sewing, which started her collection of the protective cups, but these days she's more an avid reader with three young grandchildren to keep her engaged.

In her collection are animals and birds from New Zealand, Australia and America.

There's one from Norfolk Island and another from San Gimignano in Italy. Mrs Hayes' brother John Hickox lives in the seaside town of Blackpool, and that's the Blackpool thimble on the little finger of her left hand.

There's a thimble for Britannia and two metal thimbles - one a "Tudor" and the other a Coppergate York Helmet. Mrs Hayes collected most of her thimbles in the UK, before the family moved to New Zealand 30 years ago for a better lifestyle.

Through the summer holidays the Chronicle will profile a number of local people with a passion for collecting. If you know someone who would be suitable to feature in this series, contact the newsdesk on 06 349 0728 or email news@wanganui chronicle.co.nz