In times when a good harvest and the successful rearing of farm animals was essential to survival, ceremonies like wassailing were held to ensure the health of crops, animals and…
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Plough Monday With references dating back to the late 15th century, Plough Monday was generally the first Monday to fall after Epiphany on the 6th January. Following the close of…
Twelfth Night, also known as Epiphany Eve, falls on the 5th January and is the end of the traditional Twelve Days of Christmas. Decorations were taken down, and it was…
The last Sunday before Advent is Stir-up Sunday, a day when traditionally families gather together to prepare the Christmas pudding. Historically a day of religious importance to Christians, marked with…
Did you know that our ancestors once had ‘two sleeps’ each day? Also known as biphasic sleep, the ritual of ‘two sleeps’ wasn’t discovered until the early 1990s, when historian…
An efficient source of fuel which makes use of the large amount of twigs left over following cutting a patch of coppice, is faggots – or bundled brush wood. Faggots…
Harvest was an incredibly important time in the lives of our ancestors, one that not only determined the success of the year’s work, but also the fate of the people…
This Saturday, our Bayleaf Orchard will be a hub of activity, as our Interpretation Team and knowledgeable volunteer Roger Brown – Roger also works with The Steyning Community Orchard Project…
One of the endangered crafts we pledge to protect here at the Museum is Hurdle Making. Originating in the Early Medieval times in the south of England, hurdles are moveable…
Here at the Museum our focus is always on keeping crafts and skills from the past alive. Many are at risk and our aim is to ensure the survival of…
Did you know flax was traditionally grown in the weald and downland area to produce linen, that would have been used for clothing and in the home. At the Weald…
Last month we were delighted to unveil Titchfield Market Hall, following an extensive project to repair and conserve this historical building. Significant research and preparation took place prior to the…
