Events at the Weald & Downland Living Museum in May, June and July
Posted: 9th March 2020
The Spring Food Festival is on 2 - 3 May
The Museum at Night is on 15 - 16 May: The Museum will open its doors from 8.45pm for pre-booked visitors to experience the atmospheric Museum at Night guided walks with a ‘Mysterious Animal’ theme, showcasing the treasured site in unexpected ways. These enchanting walks offer a truly out of the ordinary experience – you will be guided by lamplight to different spaces around the Museum, to hear a series of short night-time stories in-keeping with this seasons theme: Amazing Animals. Some will be amusing, some mysterious and some downright odd. Each story has a historical root, as truth is far stranger than fiction. At the end of the evening, participants are invited gather around an open fire for a calming spiced warm drink and biscuit.
Historic Life Weekend 23 - 24 May Wood Craft & Trades: Wood is an essential building material, for homes, furniture and much more. During this weekend you can find out about the way it is worked into the different forms, with demonstrations from a range of craftspeople and displays. For example, discover which trees are used for which purposes? How is this resource managed to best use in the past and today? How do people learn these craft skills? A full programme of talks and demonstrations will be available on the Weald & Downland website a few weeks before the event.
Half term is all about nature from 25 - 29 May: Head to the Museum for fantastic indoor and outdoor hands-on history fun this half term focusing on the Natural World. From Bank Holiday Monday 25 May to Friday 29 May, accompanied children of all ages can channel their energy into a range of activities. Activities run from 11am-4pm daily.
Activities will vary daily:
· Roll a wax candle
· Roll a paper planter pot and plant your own seed
· Paper crafts and colouring
· Make a pop up butterfly card
· Shadow drawing
· Have your face painted
A programme of activities will be posted on the Museum’s website and social media channels the evening before each activity day.
Historic Life Weekend 6 - 7 June Wildflowers: A rich diversity of plants in meadows, at field edges as well as in gardens has been a feature of the countryside of our region. Find out more about wildflowers, and the insect, birds or small mammals they support, over the course of this weekend. There will be a series demonstrations, displays and talks, as well as a linked exhibition in the Michael Burton Gallery. A full programme of talks and demonstrations will be available on the Weald & Downland website a few weeks before the event.
The Summer Season of film, theatre and opera begins on 12th June with David Walliams’ 'Mr Stink’: Watch the fabulous characters from the infamous novel by David Walliams come to life in Heartbreak Productions’ adaptation of Mr. Stink for the outdoor stage on Friday, 12 June 2020. Gates open 6.00 pm. Performance begins 6.30 pm.
Historic Life Weekend 20 - 21 June Herbal Heritage: Around midsummer is one of the best times to enjoy the 6 historic gardens at the Museum, and find out about historical ideas and uses around for different herbs. Through demonstrations, display, guided walks and talks you can find out more about herbal knowledge – medicinal and culinary – from the Saxons to 20th century, something of the knowledge needed for the safe and effective use of herbs and identify herbs that are used today in different forms. Heritage seeds and herbs will be on sale in the Museum shop. A full programme of talks and demonstrations will be available on the Weald & Downland website a few weeks before the event.
Choice Grenfell Film - 27 June: Join us at the Weald & Downland Living Museum on Saturday 27 June for a heart-warming 40th anniversary tribute to the unremittingly genteel, comedienne and monologist, Joyce Grenfell.
Gates open 6:15 pm. Performance begins 7.00 pm.
Historic Life Weekend 4 - 5 July Agriculture – the role of horses: The seasons and weather conditions dictate the times to sow, harvest and undertake many different tasks needed to look after a farm or estate. During this weekend, we will have demonstrations with horses and other farming implements to show how the machinery was used and the ways it developed over time. This includes the role of horses working alongside people in the agricultural tasks. This weekend complements the demonstrations at the Autumn Countryside Show, at the end of the season.
Theatre: Wonder with Grimm - 14 July: If you go down in the woods today, you’re sure of a big surprise!
Everyone knows the stories… or so we believe. What if Little Red Riding Hood never entered the woods? Or Snow White didn’t wake up?Join us for an evening of enchanting storytelling full of magic, puppetry and music. Pack the picnic basket, dress for the weather and don’t forget to bring something to sit on as we invite you into the fantastical world of the Grimm brothers – A family, friendly version of the fairytales we all know and love – with a modern twist! Gates open 6.00 pm. Performance begins 6.30 pm.
Tosca - 17 July: A one-time only opportunity to watch Opera Brava’s ‘Tosca’ (sung in English) in the stunning setting of the Weald & Downland Living Museum in Singleton, Chichester, West Sussex. Gates open 6:15 pm. Performance begins 7.00 pm
La Traviata - 18 July: A one-time only opportunity to watch Opera Brava’s ‘La Traviata’ (sung in English) in the stunning setting of the Weald & Downland Living Museum in Singleton, Chichester, West Sussex. Gates open 6.15 pm. Performance begins 7.00 pm.
The Rare and Traditional Breeds Show - 19th July: The Rare & Traditional Breeds Show is back at the Museum for 2020! UK smallholders play a vital role in nurturing rare and traditional breeds of livestock, and hundreds of cattle, sheep, pigs and goats who will participate in the show. With prizes at stake and classes for young handlers, this events is hugely popular with visitors and exhibitors alike. There are lots of classes to see and opportunities to meet the breeders situated around the show ring. The rare breeds on show are in danger of extinction if demand for their produce isn’t maintained – a taste for quality over factory farmed, intensively raised meat products. The Weald and Downland Living Museum is a charity that works to preserve our rural heritage, and rare breeds are an important part of this.
Theatre: Love in Harbour - 23 July: Don’t miss this wonderful heart-warming musical theatre production: “The Story of Love in the Harbour”, based on the play by Eddie Alford, with music and lyrics by Danielle Morgan and John Merrigan. This production comes to the Weald & Downland Living Museum as part of our Summer Season and will be held in the Museum’s award-winning Downland Gridshell Building. Gates open 6:30 pm. Performance begins 7.30 pm.