TALES OF THE DOWNS AND BEYOND…

Enjoy an early evening talk at the Weald & Downland Open Air Museum
on a range of fascinating subjects relating to the local area.

Magic and ritual for protecting the home, the wonderful world of natural navigation, and the Mary Rose: a floating parish are just some of the engaging topics in the 2010 series of early evening talks taking place between April and September at the Weald & Downland Open Air Museum at Singleton, near Chichester, West Sussex.

And if you’ve ever wondered how images of natural history are captured on camera, you can find out on the May talk from Neil Fletcher, who began his photographic career at the Natural History Museum and is now based in Sussex. Local calligrapher Mary Noble will share the history of her craft and more recent developments in early May and there is a chance to learn more about inns and taverns of old Arundel from local historian, Rupert Brooks. Methods of navigation using the sun, moon, stars, weather, plants and animals will be explained by Tristan Gooley, who will also draw on his amazing expeditions.

To celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the Museum’s opening, Director Richard Harris will give a Reduced History of the Museum in June complete with audio clips and images. Other speakers associated with the Museum include architectural historian Timothy Easton who will discuss magic and ritual for protecting the home: from the Tudors to the 19th century and the Museums’ resident historian, Dr Danae Tankard, who will explore where people went shopping for clothes in 17th century Sussex.

Other fascinating subjects include a history of the scythe and practical grassland management in April, followed by a pictorial journey through Britain in colour in June and a talk on staple foods from nettle soup to chicken tikka masala and how they came to our tables in July. The final talk in September will be given by Prof. Peter Burman, a historic building conservation expert, on John Ruskin and his continuing influence on conservation today.

All the talks begin at 6.30pm and last for about 1½ hours. Coffee, tea and cake are served from 6pm. There will plenty of opportunity for questions and discussion. Tickets cost £10. Places are limited, so early booking is advisable.

The Weald & Downland Open Air Museum is England’s leading museum of historic buildings and traditional rural life, featuring over 45 original historic buildings which have been rescued and carefully reconstructed in beautiful parkland.

Further information about all of the talks, along with booking forms, are available at www.wealddown.co.uk, or telephone Diana Rowsell on 01243 811464, email courses@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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