Museum gardener, Bob Holman, retires

Bob Holman busy at work fencing the
Bayleaf paddocks.

The story really begins at a meeting held on 1 May 1985, at which proposals for Bayleaf were discussed for the first time. “Bayleaf could be interpreted as a late-medieval complex … The garden project should perhaps be phase 1.” A report was commissioned from Dr Sylvia Landsberg, and a great deal of discussion ensued, but by the autumn of 1987 we were ready to make a start, and Bob was employed as a part-time gardener to make it happen! The garden and shaw were created and planted in 1988 and the Bayleaf project opened on 26 May 1989.

Bob maintains that at the beginning he had little knowledge of garden history, but he brought a deep and extensive knowledge of the countryside, and his interest was such that he rapidly became deeply immersed in the history and lore of plants. The Museum also gave him scope to exercise two of his other talents, photography and communication, and anyone who has attended one of the many illustrated lectures that he has given over the years will readily attest to the excellence of both.

The Bayleaf garden demonstrated what a successful and important role gardens could play in the interpretation of our exhibits, and with the guidance of Sylvia Landsberg, Bob proceeded to create five others after Bayleaf. The first was attached to the Hangleton cottage, but in spite of Bob’s valiant efforts for 10 years, the combined depredations of rabbits and small boys proved too much, and we are now planning a complete change to bring the cottage much closer to its original situation as revealed by archaeology.

All the other historic gardens have flourished. The first, established in 1996-7, was the garden and orchard attached to the house from Walderton, closely followed by Whittakers Cottages in 1998, Poplar Cottage in 1999, and Pendean farmhouse in 2001. All these gardens have matured beautifully, and are greatly appreciated by visitors. In 2004 Bob reorganised the Toll Cottage garden, that had originally been created 20 years before, and also laid out the little garden behind Winkhurst Tudor kitchen. Throughout his 20 years at the Museum Bob has been helped by a small but dedicated team of volunteers, many of them expert gardeners in their own right. Thelma Jack and Jill Dickins were the first, but there have been many others.

From his earliest days at the Museum, Bob has been willing to give talks and take walks, and they have been much in demand. From Dawn Chorus walks which started in 1990, through the ‘Millennium of Herbs’ course he delivered with Tina Stapley in 2000, and numerous days spent training people to weave continuous wattle fencing (a crucial feature of the Bayleaf landscape), he has played a central role in the development of the Museum’s Lifelong Learning programme. He also played an important part in helping interpreters in Winkhurst Tudor kitchen to link recipes and household customs to the plants and herbs growing in the gardens.

In spring 2001 Bob wrote in this magazine: “Don and Helen Baldwin of Black Dog Nursery propagate a number of our wild flowers and herbs for us, and when I call to see them I look over the many trays of germinating seeds until I see the ones labelled ‘Bob’s weeds’ – then I know I am in the right section!” Let’s hope Bob’s weeds will be with us for many years to come!

Richard Harris

David Russell - Obituary

David was born in 1922 and served as a pilot in the RAF from 1940-1950. He spent a year studying archaeology before moving to architecture, which was reflected in his deep knowledge of old buildings. His professional life was spent at John Schwerdt and Partners in Lewes, a 50-year stint from 1956 to 2006. Among the thousand or so projects on which he worked were Brotherhood Hall in Steyning, Lurgashall Winery and Midhurst Public Library. Several of his projects received awards, and he designed two buildings which have been listed, one as a modern building but the other as Georgian (a replica which deceived the lister!).

In June 1966 he met Museum Founder Roy Armstrong and became involved in the project to create an open air museum in Sussex. In April 1968 he was elected chairman of the newly formed Committee for Crafts and Industries, which supervised, amongst other things, the development of the Museum’s collections of tools, artefacts and equipment which now, 40 years later, is stored and displayed in the Downland Gridshell. The first acquisition, labelled 1968/01, a cooper’s heading knife, is still safely held in the collections.

David remained chairman until the committee ceased to exist in 1974, and in 1975 he joined in quick succession the Buildings and Site Planning Advisory Committee (then chaired by the Museum’s Honorary Architect, John Warren), the Museum trustees (then known as directors), and the Council of Management (the equivalent of our present Executive Board). In 1985 the Museum’s constitution was changed, and in 1988 David became a member of the Executive Board, and remained so until his death.

David was very adventurous and had extremely wide interests. Outside architecture these ranged from old cars and sailing to skiing and dowsing – on which he taught a course at the Museum every year from 1999. But his greatest love was flying, which he re-started in 1997, and which he was still doing two days before he died.

David was a wonderful friend and supporter of the Museum. Generous to a fault, he would always respond fully to any request for help, and he contributed to numerous projects at the Museum. In 2004 I asked him if he could take some aerial photographs to help us, but I did not realise what a perilous operation this was until he described his technique of holding onto the joystick with one hand while leaning out of the window with the camera held in the other! But the results were spectacular, and one photo in particular seems to me to capture better than any other I have seen the beauty of the Museum’s site in the Lavant valley, with the river reflecting the sky and making it visible as a silver trail heading off to the west and south. His wise counsel and quiet manner will be very much missed.

Richard Harris

Around the Museum

New faces

Mark Buxton took up the post of Horseman at Easter this year, and will be responsible for the care and welfare of the Museum’s working horses, their use in a wide range of agricultural and sitebased tasks, and the co-ordination of a team of volunteers. Mark was already known to the Museum as for 13 years he has been head horseman for the Royal Parks, based in Richmond Park, Surrey, and attended our Heavy Horse Spectacular with its show turnout. The Weald & Downland Museum’s former Director, the late Chris Zeuner, had assisted the Parks management with the re-introduction of horses to the Parks and the Museum’s horses took part in several events there. At Richmond Mark had three Shire horses, their vehicles and harness, to care for, and alongside attendance at major events, such as The Lord Mayor’s Show, he was much involved in education, including school visits. Prior to this post he worked at the Royal Parks in estate management. Mark is a marine engineer and served in the Royal Marines after which he worked on charter boats in the south of France and later for British Aerospace. Shortly after Mark joined the Museum, a new Shire horse was acquired: Mac is 10-years-old and was bred by the notable Shire breeder, the late Denys Benson. He has an excellent pedigree but is an ‘old-fashioned’ sort of Shire, with good draught qualities. He has already worked well as a pair with Neville, the Museum’s other working Shire gelding.

Mark Buxton and Mac

Jo White and Vicky Guest have joined the Museum’s interpretation team as Interpretation Assistants. They join our Head of Interpretation, Hannah Miller and Woods and Crafts Interpreter, Jon Roberts. Rachel Neville, Schools and Interpretation Officer, works closely with Hannah and Jennie Peel, Schools Services Manager, providing a valuable link between the two departments, both based in the building from Lavant. Jo White came to the Museum in October 2006 with a Fine Arts degree and teacher training experience, having lived and worked in the West Sussex area all her life, and having a passion for history, interpretation and all things creative. Vicky Guest graduated with an MA in Museum Studies at the start of 2007 after completing an archaeology degree and has a great deal of personal experience working with various live history groups. Vicky worked on placement at the Ryedale Folk Museum in North Yorkshire last summer. Their role is primarily to interpret our domestic buildings and surroundings – often in Tudor or Victorian period clothing. The task involves strong practical and intellectual skills to fulfil the many different aspects of the interpretation role at the Museum – researching and developing new projects, managing and training volunteers, delivering workshops and demonstrations as well as the regular housekeeping necessary to keep the domestic buildings well presented. In addition Vicky and Jo supervise and manage the daily running of our working Tudor kitchen, Winkhurst, putting into practice the many new ideas which flow from all Museum departments, as well as maintaining a high standard of interpretation on a daily basis.

Lucy Hockley was recruited in April to join Diana Rowsell and Rebecca Osborne in the adult courses team. Lucy’s first degree was History with German which she studied at Durham and she recently completed a postgraduate course in Heritage Interpretation at Ironbridge (Birmingham University) where she gained useful experience for her role here. Courses are run seven days a week, so Lucy and Rebecca share weekend responsibilities, Lucy working Tuesday-Saturday, and Rebecca Sunday- Thursday. This new appointment will enable the Museum’s courses to continue to develop and expand, including the implementation of a second MSc course to be validated by Bournemouth University and starting next academic year. The post is being financially underpinned for three years by the Sargent Charitable Trust in addition to the financial support we already receive from the Mitford Foulerton Trust.

Karen Barrett, who has been involved with the Museum for many years, has formally joined the staff in the schools department. “Already we are benefiting from her encyclopaedic knowledge of the workings of the Museum,” says Schools Services Manager Jennie Peel, “and it is a joy to have her working with us”.

Lisa Prescott has joined the Museum as the new administration assistant, replacing Holly Elliott, who is moving to Toronto. Lisa will be working full-time, undertaking general administration, organising children’s birthday parties and running the trade stands with Sue O’Keefe.

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Obituaries

Jim Oliver died on 19 May 2007 in his 90th year. A farmer by profession, he farmed 400 acres in Send, Surrey, but was also a keen student of local history, especially vernacular architecture. He was a member of the Vernacular Architecture Group and of the Wealden Buildings Study Group, serving as Vice President 1984-6 and President 1986-8. In 1983 he became Deputy President of the Hampshire Field Club and was deeply involved in studies of historic landscapes in Wessex.

Jim was a great supporter of the Museum and had been involved with its foundation in the late 1960s. However, it was not until 1982 that he became formally involved as a member of the Sites and Buildings Committee, which was then under the chairmanship of Robin McDowall. He became a trustee of the Museum in 1986, and in 1987 took over the chairmanship of the Sites and Buildings Committee, which he held until its last meeting in 1990. In that capacity he was also a member of the Executive Board. He retired from trusteeship in 1995 but remained as a vice-president.

Jim is remembered with affection and gratitude by the many people whose interest in history he kindled and encouraged.

Lord Nathan became the Museum’s President in October 1994 in succession to Sir James Waddell. He held office until December 1996 when the Museum’s restructuring combined the chairman and president into a single post, and he remained as a vice president until his death.

He lived at Lickfold, Petworth, and at the time of his Museum presidency he was chairman of the Sussex Downs Conservation Board which had (and, as the South Downs Joint Committee, still has) its offices at the Museum. The beauty of the Sussex Downs was very close to his heart, and he was Past-President of the Society of Sussex Downsmen. He was a member of the Court and Council of Sussex University, having been awarded the degree of Honorary Doctor of Laws in 1988.

Lord Nathan was a prominent solicitor in the City and for many years was senior partner of solicitors Herbert Oppenheimer, Nathan and Vandyk.

Marjorie Hallam Following our obituary for Marjorie Hallam in the Spring issue magazine Dr Janet Pennington wrote to point out Marjorie’s involvement with the Wiston Estate Study Group.

This group was also founded by the Museum’s founder, Dr Roy Armstrong, in 1976. Dr Pennington became its honorary co-ordinator and is certain that Marjorie was one of its founder members. Others closely involved were John Friar, Tony Jenner, Gordon Lawrie, Jim Oliver, Joyce Sleight and Jill Turner.

The group’s aim was to record all the agricultural buildings on the c.5,000 acre Wiston Estate. In the process of recording the structures the derelict Poplar Cottage and a cartshed were identified as being good examples of their type, and subsequently were rescued from slow destruction and came to the Museum.

Marjorie attended nearly all the meetings, records Dr Pennington, which were usually held at Gordon Lawrie’s house opposite Wiston Pond. “Marjorie was always full of ideas, much knowledge and wisdom, and she soon produced lists of all the farms and other buildings on the estate. I remember her with affection and gratitude.”

The group gradually faded away, following the deaths of Roy Armstrong and Tony Jenner, and now, Jim Oliver. However Dr Pennington has offered the Museum her small archive from the group for the Museum’s Library.

“The group was an important part of the study of local vernacular buildings led by Roy Armstrong while the Museum itself was being developed,” said Museum director Richard Harris. “We are very pleased to have been offered Janet’s archive of minutes and papers and will be delighted to add it to our material in the Armstrong Library.” *An oak seat in memory of Marjorie Hallam has been placed near Pendean Farmhouse, the building with which Marjorie is most closely associated.

Sadly, during the year a number of volunteers have passed away.

Mary Hum was a volunteer for many years, working in the ticket office, shop, the main office and the information desk in Hambrook Barn. She was also a member of the Friends committee.

Monica Hannevold, a former headmistress, was for many years a shop supervisor until the removal of the shop from the Lavant building to Longport visitor entrance.

Sandy Lane, who had been assistant to West Dean’s former agent, Tim Heymann, volunteered for many years, working in the ticket offices, shop, mill, on car parking, guided tours and general building exhibition interpretation.

Jeff Lyons was a dedicated volunteer who was both a steward and Gridshell guide, always able to help at short notice. Jeff had been a volunteer for the past six years and died aged 76 at home in Emsworth after a short illness.

Gertie Whittle was a long-serving volunteer, working mainly in the shop. Diana Buxton was a volunteer for many years, and also a Friends committee member.

Cynthia Haworth was a long-standing volunteer, working in the shop in the days when it was in the Lavant building.

Eve Becher, another Friends committee member, worked as a volunteer in the shop, on ticket sales and at the reception desk in Hambrook Barn.

Thank you to Keith Bickmore and Bob Easson for providing details of the volunteer activity of the above Museum supporters.

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News in Brief

The Images of Bayleaf exhibition, which took place in the summer, was opened by Roger Champion, who as the Museum’s master carpenter, had been intimately involved with Bayleaf Farmhouse from the beginning of its life as a Museum exhibit. (In the photograph, he is with Diana Rowsell, Head of Learning)

 I am just writing to say how much I enjoyed the festival last weekend. I thought there was a lovely peaceful and happy atmosphere. . . . I think the event was a great opportunity for non-Gypsies to see and experience Gypsy culture (both past and present) at first hand, and a great opportunity for Gypsies to showcase their culture, and for communities to mix and break down misconceptions and prejudices. E.N., Brighton (Traveller Advice Project Friends, Families and Travellers)

I wanted to thank you for putting on the above event which was superbly organised and highly enjoyable – complete with good weather! I came down to the weekend with some leaflets relating to the courses we run which are of interest to Gypsy and Traveller community members. My students who also attended were extremely impressed and felt that as a first introduction to Gypsy and Traveller culture they could not have found people more welcoming and friendly. . . . It was probably the best of such occasions I have ever attended. M.G., Buckinghamshire

I am writing to say what a wonderful weekend we have just had at the Romani Roots event at the Weald and Downland Museum, which gave us all the feeling of being part of one big family! Music, dance, demonstrations, displays, food and crafts celebrating the traditional Romany way of life, enthralled both the public and the Gypsy community alike. The event offered visitors the opportunity to learn more about the often-misunderstood Gypsy lifestyle, and also a chance to join in. . . . Everything seemed to go like clockwork and despite the huge effort that must have gone into it, it retained a homely, extremely friendly and welcoming atmosphere. M.H.

What a great success the Romani Roots event was. I am not a Gypsy but I have been a member of the Romany and Traveller History Society for nine years. Working in the tent I got feedback from the general public and Romany and Gypsy people, who all seemed to enjoy their time there. B.D., Cheshire

My friends and I were at the Museum a couple of weekends ago with our Romany Road organisation as part of the Romani Roots event. I’d like to thank the Museum for hosting the event. A far as I know it’s unique; most host organisations would run an event from a non-Gypsy point of view, but this one is run the other way round from within the Romani community. This gives ‘gorja’ visitors a privileged glimpse of genuine Gypsy life past and present. It also gives the Romanies a cultural focus in public, something they have lacked in the past. C.B., Herefordshire

Toplots Heritage Auction is an innovative fundraising and marketing opportunity for charitable museums and heritage attractions to offer experiences and behind-the-scenes activities for sale on eBay for the benefit of their own organisation. TopLots is the brainchild of Development Partners and has been launched in partnership with AIM (Association of Independent Museums), which acts as the host charity. Eighty per cent of the total raised goes to the organisation concerned, 20% to Development Partners and 4% to AIM. The pilot auction took place in October with each lot ‘live’ for 10 days. Organisations large and small, from English Heritage to Gainsborough’s House to Yorkshire Sculpture Park took part. The Weald & Downland Open Air Museum offered a Tudor Feast in Bayleaf Farmhouse, a special tour of the Museum with Richard Harris, a day preparing the heavy horses for the Heavy Horse Spectacular, a coracle-making weekend and a day with Museum carpenter Joe Thompson. More information can be found on www.toplots.co.uk. We hope that next year it will run again, giving more time to alert our friends and supporters.