Imaginative Christmas present ideas
From longbow shooting and animal tracking to scything and leather workshops and practical days for smallholders, the Weald & Downland Open Air Museum at Singleton, near Chichester, West Sussex offers a wide range of unusual courses. Delight someone this Christmas with an imaginative present for an experience they can enjoy during 2011.
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 the South Downs National Park. The Museum has established a reputation as a centre of excellence for teaching traditional trades and crafts, and its historic setting makes a fitting backdrop in which to learn such skills. For past participants these courses have provided the inspiration for a new hobby, deepened an existing interest and in some cases provided the skills and enthusiasm for a change of career. The Museum also offers a range of courses in historic building conservation, aimed at both enthusiastic non-specialists, owners of period houses, and building professionals.
Over the next year knowledgeable tutors will lead courses in traditional countryside skills such as Sussex trug making, willow work, poultry husbandry, and coppice management. New courses for 2011 include making a greenwood chair week, designing and printing a woodcut, carving a wooden spoon, making a straw plait hat and a traditional music day.
Historic home life courses include Tudor cooking workshops and days on uses of herbs: from the ‘Secrets of the Tudor Stillroom’ to a herb walk around the museum and herbs for health.
Other series of courses include early technology workshops, which allow participants to make their own traditional English longbow or produce a tool or jewellery using Prehistoric methods from flint, bone and other natural materials. Drawing and painting workshops are led by local painter and expert tutor, Gordon Rushmer, and make use of the beautiful setting of the Museum and the surrounding area. Also on offer are textile workshops including spinning, felt making, tatting, crochet, knitting and many more.
If you’re looking for a way to get in the mood for Christmas, the Museum has some Christmassy courses coming up in November and December. Re-vamp your Christmas tree with stained glass or rag rug decorations, make a wreath for your front door, make herbal Christmas gifts and decorations, or attend one of the Museum’s candlelit walks followed by mulled wine and mince pies to really get into the festive spirit. And if you fancy Christmas dining with a twist, you can learn how to make authentic Tudor Christmas recipes including Twelfth Night cake, shred pies and roast beef.
Course places can be purchased as gifts, or if you prefer, gift vouchers allow the recipient to choose which course to attend.
Further information about any of the courses, along with booking forms, are available at www.wealddown.co.uk, or telephone Diana Rowsell on 01243 811464, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .u