Made by Hand – Heritage Crafts & Skills
Help keep our heritage crafts alive!
Did you know that many heritage crafts are at risk of being lost forever?
Join us as we explore heritage crafts & skills from past to present and learn about how we can conserve these skills for our future.
Over the weekend we will be demonstrating some of the many rural crafts and skills practiced at the Museum alongside visiting members of the Heritage Craft Association, who will showcase crafts from the Red List of Historic Endangered Crafts.
We will also be welcoming back the Black Knights Historical Group, who will be taking up residence in the Medieval House from Hangleton, which is part of the Museum historic building collection. They will also be demonstrating the art of historic net making, along with showcasing the art of Incunabula, printing and book binding techniques from the mid 1400-1600s.
With visiting crafts people including:
Jo Munford of Seaview Studio, who will be demonstrating the traditional and modern techniques of painted and leaded stained glass.
Adrian Warrell, The History Man, will be demonstrating the historic making and repairing of items made from tin.
Wayne Osbourne Signs, will be showcasing the art of traditional hand painted signs through his skills as a sign writer. Working with traditional methods, he will show his craftsmanship through his unique signs.
Jackie Smith, of The Toymakers Guild, will be on site to talk about traditional teddy bear making, where you can see a display of traditional toys and repair demonstrations.
Penney Maltby, will be demonstrating her work with the intricacies of straw marquetry, spiral plaiting and hat plaiting.
Traditional Clog Maker, Jeremy Atkinson will be showing his bespoke clogs.
Paul Henry of Paul Henry Kilts, will be demonstrating the transformation of woollen cloth being tailored by hand into a perfectly fitting garment.
Catherine Beaumont, a member of The Basketmaker’s Association, will be demonstrating making baskets using locally sourced willow and coppice materials.
Other crafts and skills will include; Historical Chair making, Daywood Woodcarvers, Printing techniques, traditional spinning with the Lavant Spinner & West Sussex Guild of Spinners, Weavers & Dyers, and stone letter carving.
With many of the Museum staff and volunteers also showcasing heritage crafts, including the Museum Curator Julian Bell who will be demonstrating how to make gate hurdles.
Also, representatives of the Heritage Crafts Association will be onsite to talk about how they support and safeguard traditional craft skills to ensure that they have a sustainable future.
Children can also take part with our Mini Makers’ activities in Hambrook barn, where Artist and Potter, Gill Hunter Nudds will be showing you how to make a traditional pinch pot from clay and how to create a leafy print on fabric.
There will also be an opportunity to speak to the Museum’s own courses team, to find out more about the traditional trades and crafts courses available at the Museum. You might discover a short course to help you learn a new skill and help keep one of our heritage crafts alive!
Book now
Information for Visitors
The Museum’s 40 acres site, historic gardens and buildings are fascinating places to learn about rural history. Visitors can purchase grain from the Museum shop and feed the hungry ducks on the mill pond. Whilst enjoying the great outdoors and fresh air, look out for our working animals, which can include the Heavy Horses. There are a number of lovely woodland trails, including a woodland play area for children to explore.
Why not enjoy breakfast, brunch or lunch at our waterside café? Visitors can also bring a picnic as there are plenty of picnic areas available on site. Takeaway refreshments will also be available from our seasonal Shepherd’s Huts located around the Museum.
Dogs on short leads are welcome and there is ample free parking. Please note that the Museum is a no-smoking site. Visitors with access needs are advised to read our accessibility page in advance of their visit.
All activities are subject to change.
