A RARE CHANCE TO BID FOR UNIQUE UK
HERITAGE EXPERIENCES –
AND
SUPPORT THE WEALD AND DOWNLAND OPEN AIR MUSEUM

In October 2007 the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum at Singleton, near Chichester will be participating in an exciting new initiative: TopLots – the first eBay auction of its kind where the UK’s museums, galleries and heritage attractions go online with unique experiences and ‘behind the scenes’ activities up for grabs!

Around 200 lots featuring a whole range of experiences from the UK’s extraordinarily diverse heritage sector will be available on eBay from 1 October for one month only. Museums large and small, historic houses and heritage properties from all regions are participating. Privileged access, exclusive experiences, and unique memories to treasure will be on offer – ideal gifts for enthusiasts with a passion for their subjects and unusual corporate events and family outings.

The Weald and Downland Open Air Museum is delighted to be taking part in TopLots, and expects that many people will be inspired by what’s on offer. There are five lots available: Lot 1 is a 'Behind the Scenes' tour for six people with the Museum Director and Carpenter, discovering how the Museum was created and visiting areas not normally seen by visitors, followed by lunch. Animal lovers may be inspired by Lot 2, the chance to spend a day preparing a pair of heavy horses for the Museum’s Heavy Horse Spectacular in June, and accompanying them into the show ring. Lot 3 will be an evening of authentic Tudor Feasting for up to 16 people in a 500 year old yeoman's farmhouse, while Lot 4 offers a fascinating weekend course in coracle making, complete with local accommodation. The final Lot 5 offers a one-to-one day with the Museum’s carpenter in residence, helping on one of the historic building projects taking place in 2008.
More…
Full details of the fantastic opportunities provided by the Weald and Downland Museum and all other organisations is available on www.toplots.co.uk, where interested bidders first need to register to be reminded of the auction start in October. They will also need to set up an eBay account at www.ebay.co.uk then log on to www.ebay.co.uk/toplots regularly during October - individual lots will be on for 10 days only, so bidders need to keep checking to avoid missing out!

The TopLots heritage auction is run in partnership between eBay, the Association for Independent Museums and UK heritage fundraising specialists, Development Partners, working closely with VisitBritain and EnjoyEngland. Thanks to eBay for Charity, the money generated by the bids (less a small admin charge) will come straight back to help generate vital new funds for the participating museums, galleries and heritage properties – all not-for-profit organisations.

For further information about the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum’s entries in the TopLots auction, Contact Diana Rowsell on 01243 811464 email headoflearning@wealddown.co.uk .
 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The award-winning Weald & Downland Open Air Museum has over 45 historic building exhibits and is designated by the Government for the outstanding importance of its collections. Exhibits include a medieval farmstead; a working watermill producing wholemeal stoneground flour; exhibitions focusing on traditional building techniques and agriculture; historic gardens, farm livestock and a working Tudor kitchen. The Museum runs a well-established programme of courses in building conservation and rural crafts.  There is a café which uses the Museum’s own flour and a shop with gifts and books on countryside and buildings themes.  The modern Downland Gridshell houses the Museum’s building conservation centre and artefact collection. There is a daily tour at 1.30pm when the Museum is open, and an appointments system for visits to the collections for research purposes.

NOTE TO EDITORS

Reporters and photographers are welcome at the Museum. For further information call the Museum information line on 01243 811348 or contact Cathy Clark, Marketing Officer

Tel: 01243 811014.
Fax: 01243 811475
Email: marketing@wealddown.co.uk.

Full details about the Museum and its activities can be found at www.wealddown.co.uk 

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