News Release
SOCIETY OF SUSSEX
DOWNSMEN ASSISTS WITH A TRADITIONAL SHEEPFOLD AT THE WEALD & DOWNLAND MUSEUM
This year’s crop of lambs at the Weald & Downland Open Air Museum,
Singleton, West Sussex have been born into a traditional sheep fold, just as they would
have been high on the South Downs up until the 1950s.
The Museum’s sheepfold and shepherd’s hut exhibition
has just been refurbished with the help of a generous grant from the Society of Sussex
Downsmen. Five of their Council members visited the Museum recently to see the fold and
its occupants in action.
As lambing time approaches the Museum’s flock of Southdown
and Romney ewes are moved into a field adjoining the row of thatched lambing pens built
from hazel hurdles. Each mother and her new-born lamb have their own pen until the lamb is
several days old, when they join the others in the fold yard. Eventually they all go out
into the Museum’s meadows to enjoy the flush of spring grass.
"The method of keeping sheep on the Downs remained
unchanged for centuries," says Museum director Christopher Zeuner. "At the
Museum, where we illustrate rural life alongside our historic building exhibits, visitors
can see the hut which was home at lambing time for the traditional Downland shepherds, and
the fold made of hazel from nearby woodland. The exhibit is reproduced down to the last
detail, such as the iron ties made by local blacksmiths to hold together the chestnut
hurdles around the meadow."
The sheepfold and hut are now in a new position on the edge of
the village which is being created at the Museum from rescued and re-erected historic
buildings, dating from the 15th century. A new display panel explains how the
Downland sheep traditions worked. Sheep were a vital element in the economy throughout the
Weald and Downland area of Sussex, Kent, Surrey and Hampshire covered by the Museum. Other
farm livestock helping to interpret countryside life of the past at the Museum include
pigs, cattle, working horses, hens and geese.
The Weald & Downland is the country’s leading museum of
historic buildings. Last year it received Designated Museum Status by the Government,
recognising the national importance of its outstanding collections and putting it in the
premier league of museums in Britain.
The sheepfold and hut exhibit can be seen at the Museum daily
throughout the season from 10.30 am - 6.00 pm. Further information - recorded information
line 01243 811348, Museum office 01243 811363. Visit the Museum’s website on
www.wealddown.co.uk.
NOTE TO EDITORS
A photograph of the visit of the Society of Sussex Downsmen is
enclosed. Reporters and photographers are welcome at the Museum throughout the season.
Further information: contact the Museum director Christopher
Zeuner or marketing officer Gail Kittle on 01243 811363 Fax 01243 811475 Email
marketing@wealddown.co.uk. The Museum website is on www.wealddown.co.uk.
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