Fire and light, working animals, Shakespeare,
harvest celebrations and Canterbury Tales . . . 

WEALD & DOWNLAND OPEN AIR MUSEUM WORKS WITH
BARCLAYS TO  SHED LIGHT ON A FASCINATING WORLD
FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

A new educational programme for children with learning difficulties at the Weald & Downland Open Air Museum, Singleton, Chichester, West Sussex has been so successful that a second year is being organised, again with the support of Barclays.

The museum of historic buildings and rural life, which has won several national awards for its education service, has more than doubled the number of children with special educational needs it helps each year through the programme.  Barclays has already contributed £17,800 towards the project and next year will provide another donation of £17,000. 

Children from throughout the south-east enjoyed special workshop-based days exploring medieval, Tudor and Victorian life.  Specially trained staff led by the Museum’s education officer, Diane Walker, worked with the children alongside local Barclays staff, who gave up their time as part of the Barclays employee volunteering scheme to act as volunteer assistants.   

In 2003 the Museum is offering a completely new programme.  Shakespeare and Chaucer days are planned for children with low literacy levels in mainstream schools, a group often overlooked.  In April Macbeth will be introduced to 14-year-olds, with help from the Groundlings Theatre Company and specialists in historic cooking and an apothecary for making witches’ spells and recipes.  Other groups will re-enact the medieval Canterbury Tales, again with medieval recipes tempting their interest. 

The Museum’s working animals are ideal for children with profound learning and sensory problems, and special sessions will take place with a falconer, sheep and sheepdogs and the Museum’s working oxen and heavy horses. 

Children with moderate learning difficulties have two exciting days to look forward to.  One is based on fire and light, using the Museum’s resources in charcoal burning, lantern making, bread making, candle dipping and summer dances.  The other focuses on harvest celebrations, with opportunities to learn about milling at the Museum’s working watermill, bread making, corn dolly making, harvest dances, fruits and festivals.

 Debbie Phillips Community Manager for South-East said "At Barclays we are committed to communities and we are delighted to continue our partnership with the Weald & Downland Open Air Museum.  This is a lovely example of Barclays working closely with the local community to achieve something which we hope will make a real and lasting difference".

 “It is important that the Museum and its very special resources are available to everyone and this unique programme enables us to help the neediest children,” says Museum education officer, Diane Walker.  “We have had some lovely letters from children saying how much they enjoyed their visit and the help they received from our staff, including the Barclays volunteers.

“Learning in the outdoor environment at the Museum can make a great difference to these children and is another way in which we can make the most of the knowledge we have at the Museum.“

For further information on the Barclays Special Educational Needs Project please contact Diane Walker or Christine Standing at the Museum on 01243 811927/811459, email education@wealddown.co.uk or the Museum office on 01243 811363.  Visit the Museum’s website at www.wealddown.co.uk.

For further information on Barclays Community Investment Programme, please contact:

Debbie Phillips
Regional Community Manager for South East
Tel. 020 7699 5782  Email  debbie.phillips@barclays.co.uk

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The award-winning Weald & Downland Open Air Museum has over 45 historic building exhibits from town and country and is designated by the Government for the outstanding importance of its collections.  Exhibits include a medieval farmstead; a working watermill producing stoneground flour; exhibitions focusing on traditional building techniques and agriculture; historic gardens and farm livestock.  The Museum runs a well-established and much sought-after programme of courses in building conservation and rural crafts.  There is a café which uses the Museum’s own produce and a museum shop with gifts and books on countryside and buildings themes.  An important new addition is the modern Downland Gridshell, runner-up for the Stirling Prize, the Museum’s new building conservation centre and artefact store.

Barclays

In 2001 Barclays global commitment to the community amounted to £31.1 million, which includes 1% of UK pre-tax profits.  As one of the UK's largest corporate community contributors, the bank aims to achieve real and lasting benefit both for the community and Barclays, by supporting education, social inclusion, people with disabilities, the arts and the environment.

NOTE TO EDITORS

Reporters and photographers are welcome at the Museum. For further information contact Operations Director Gail Kittle
Tel: 01243 811481
Fax: 01243 811475
Email: gkittle@wealddown.co.uk.

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