‘HANDS ON’ OPPORTUNITIES AT MUSEUM! Award winning Chiltern Open Air Museum is running a series of Adult Learning Workshops this month giving the ‘hands on’ opportunity for you to come along and learn more about such subjects as carpentry, candle making, working with lime or flint, historic restoration or Victorian Herbs – all these exciting subjects are on offer over September. The workshops have proved a great success in the past and the Museum is keen to expand on the areas on offer. Museum Education Officer Melissa Maynard is really pleased with how the courses are shaping up. Says Melissa: ‘We receive such good feedback from our course members each year and this makes us even more determined to increase and improve on our high quality adult learning offer.’ Continues Melissa: ‘In fact ‘Victorian Herbs’ course member Fran Denham-Thomas was so thrilled with the course last year that she immediately wanted to book to return this year. She said the teacher was wonderful and for her, the course was ‘a must’ for 2010!’ For more information on the range and dates of courses, go to the Museum website link http://www.coam.org.uk/WOCourses/Adult.html or telephone Melissa on 01494 875542. The Museum holds events each weekend throughout the season, and this weekend (4-5 September) sees hands-on activities in the Iron Age House. See website www.coam.org.uk for more details. ends Photo Caption:
On the pole lathe is Jeanette Marsh. For further information contact Melissa Maynard, Education Officer education@coam.org.uk on 01494 875542, Chiltern Open Air Museum, Newland Park, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire, HP8 4AB or Jacky Brookes, Marketing and Press Officer marketingcoam@btconnect.com on 07970 053883 Jacky Brookes
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LOCALS UP IN ARMS ABOUT NEW TAX! Locals are up in arms about a new tax being introduced! But do not worry, we are not in 2010 but are back in the year 1638 this Bank Holiday weekend (August 28-30) at multi award winning Chiltern Open Air Museum, and it is shaping up into a fascinating mix of ‘Soldiers, Ship Taxes and Skirmishes’. The tax is being reintroduced by King Charles the First and it is a very unpopular move! Melissa Maynard, Museum Education Officer is excited about the weekend, which will demonstrate how a small local village deals with this major national crisis. Says Melissa: ‘Here at the Museum we are recreating the scene where King Charles I is on the throne and Parliament has not been called for nine years. England is under Sovereign Rule. The King needs money but without parliament he cannot create new taxes for the people.’ Continues Melissa: ‘What can he do except levy taxes that were once lawfully made? He reintroduces Ship Money once again, but this very old tax was only meant for those that lived on the coast to help build ships in times of war. Many of his people violently protest, including local peer John Hampden. Now the cracks in His Majesty’s peaceful world are beginning to show as the storm clouds start gather over the Kingdom’ Adds Melissa: ‘And visitors will have chance to meet the characters, sights and sounds of 17th century England just before it tipped into the anarchy of Civil War. Will visitors decide to join in the protests about Ship Money or will they quietly pay their dues to the Kings tax man? We shall see!’ For more information about this fascinating in depth study of the 17th century English Civil War event go to the website www.coam.org.uk for the latest updates or telephone the information line on 01494-872163. ends Photo Caption:
King Charles the First and his entourage, at the Chiltern Open Air Museum. For further information contact Melissa Maynard, Education Officer education@coam.org.uk on 01494 875542, Chiltern Open Air Museum, Newland Park, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire, HP8 4AB or Jacky Brookes, Marketing and Press Officer marketingcoam@btconnect.com on 07970 053883 Jacky Brookes |
‘INCREDIBLE DISCOVERY’ AT CHILTERN OPEN AIR MUSUEM! This weekend (21-22 August) at award winning Chiltern Open Air Museum sees exciting explorers, discoveries and all things Victorian! The late 19th century was a time of incredible discovery, invention and change and this weekend gives visitors the opportunity to see a broad spectrum of experiences from that period. Museum Education Officer Melissa Maynard is really thrilled with the plans in place for the event. ‘Visitors will have chance to meet both the local gentry and their servants – all the different aspects of Victorian life. Hunting horns will be heard from the shooting party, whilst the servants are busy preparing their lunch and refreshments at Leagrave Cottages on our village green.’ Continues Melissa: ‘We also have the amazing Grymm Tooms Travelling Museum where visitors will be able to meet Professor Grymm, Cassandra Grymm and Dr. Tooms with their travelling museum consisting of three departments, Natural History, Medical Science and Optical Devices. The curios, specimens, artefacts and devices on display will show how the Victorians were trying to find out more about man’s place in nature, and his effect on it, as well as outlining the various medical and scientific advances made during the Victorian era.’ The award winning Museum has an exciting season of events – and next Bank Holiday weekend (28-30 Aug) will see an in depth study of the 17th English Civil War. Go to the website www.coam.org.uk for the latest updates or telephone the information line on 01494-872163. For further information about Grymms Tooms Travelling Museum so to http://www.grymmtooms.co.uk. ends
Photo Caption: Getting ready for the Victorian shooting party is Laurie Watson (left) and Verena Clark at the Toll House at Chiltern Open Air Museum. For further information contact Jacky Brookes
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MEET THE ROMAN ARMY THIS WEEKEND! There is great excitement this weekend (7-8 August) at the award winning Chiltern Open Air Museum! Re-enactment and research group, the Roman Military Research Society are giving the visitors to the Chiltern Open Air Museum a wonderful opportunity to learn about the life of the Roman Soldiers throughout the Roman period. Visitors will be able to see living history brought back to life through a wide range of activities around the site – and even have chance to see a 2000 year old Fashion Show! Museum Education Officer Melissa Maynard is really excited about the weekend: ‘This is a great chance for our visitors to get to see this well known military display team, who will present a soldiers encampment and spectacular displays of Roman fighting techniques and displays throughout the weekend.’ Adds Melissa: ‘As the camp followers play games, create intricate woven belts and care for the sick, the might of the Roman Army prepares to defend this far corner of the mighty Roman Empire! There will be the spectacular sight of the Roman soldiers demonstrating typical Roman fighting techniques and firing their impressive siege engines in the Museum fields.’ Continues Melissa: ‘Visitors will have chance to try on the Centurion’s armour, see the war machine in action and challenge someone to a game of nine men’s morris. There will also be the chance to meet soldiers and women of the Roman Empire – and an added bonus is that we even have a colourful Roman Fashion Show where there is chance to learn all about Roman ladies’ clothes and to show off the clothing of the time!’ The Roman Military Research Society regularly appears on television in programmes such as 'What the Romans Did" with Adam Hart Davies and the popular 'Time Team'. Throughout the weekend, in addition to the Roman military displays, all the Museum's extensive buildings and cafe will be open to visitors. The award winning Museum has an exciting season of events – covering over 30 weekends. Go to the website www.coam.org.uk for the latest updates or telephone the information line on 01494-872163. For further information about the Roman Military Research Society go to http://www.romanarmy.net/ ends
Photo Caption: The Roman Army preparing for action at the Chiltern Open Air Museum
For further information go to www.coam.org.uk or contact Sue Shave, Director, on director@coam.org.uk on 01494 871117 or Jacky Brookes, Marketing and Press Officer, Chiltern Open Air Museum at marketingcoam@btconnect.com on 07970 053883 |
CLASSIC VEHICLE SHOW IN ITS FIFTH YEAR! Award winning Chiltern Open Air Museum is holding its fifth annual Classic Vehicle Show this weekend (24 – 25 July) and enthusiasts of all ages will be flocking to the Newland Park site to view the wide range of lovingly restored vehicles from years gone by! The Museum will again play host to many beautiful classic cars, lorries and motorcycles and farm vehicles over the weekend event providing a wonderful spectacle for visitors. Museum Director Sue Shave is delighted that the event is taking place again and is always so popular. Says Sue: ‘We are in our fifth year now, and are thrilled with the number of enthusiasts who regularly attend the show. It’s a key date in our calendar of events here at the Museum!’ An added element of excitement to the event is an 18th century ‘Highwayman’ and his gang down near the High Wycombe Toll House and Toll gate! Keep your valuables safe as the Toll Gate Keeper will warn you that highwaymen are nearby! Visitors will also have the opportunity to see some splendid models of the royal coaches and a model of the Caversham Edwardian Convenience in its original location at the Reading tram terminus in the Vicarage Room from Thame. ends For further information contact
Photo Caption: Regular visitors to the Museum Joan and Bill are seen here admiring the amazing classic cars. Jacky Brookes |
EVER THOUGHT YOU SHOULD HAVE A GO AT VOLUNTEERING? Award winning Chiltern Open Air Museum is holding a series of ‘Volunteers Open Days’ over the next two weeks, with the aim of recruiting new volunteers to the team. The sessions will include an introduction to volunteering and a tour of the Museum, together with an opportunity to talk to the staff about the various roles available. Visitor Services Officer, Autumn Acker, is responsible for the Museums volunteers and is really excited about meeting and chatting to people who come along to the Open Days to find out more. Says Autumn: ‘We particularly need ticket sellers and building stewards and there are great training opportunities for these roles in a very friendly environment. All our volunteers so enjoy their time with us, often coming as a family, or with a friend, as well as those who come along on their own. We have such a wide range of ages and interests from our volunteers – it makes my job so rewarding to see the newcomers develop such valuable knowledge of the Museum and provide such important and excellent customer service to our visitors.’ The Open Days will be held between 2.00 pm and 4.00 pm on Sunday 18 July and Tuesday 20 July, and light refreshments will be provided. All are welcome whatever part of the age spectrum - teenagers, families, retired. Adds Autumn: ‘Why don’t you come along, bring a friend too if you wish, and see if you would like to volunteer your time or that of your family to this exciting Museum just on your doorstep!’ For more information about the Museum go to www.coam.org.uk or telephone the Visitor Services Officer for more details about the day on 01494 871117. ends PICTURE CAPTION:
Seen here on the right is Visitor Services Officer Autumn Acker and volunteer Verena Clarke discussing a museum artefact. Notes to Editors:
For further information contact Melissa Maynard, Education Officer education@coam.org.uk on 01494 875542, Chiltern Open Air Museum, Newland Park, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire, HP8 4AB or Jacky Brookes, Marketing and Press Officer marketingcoam@btconnect.com on 07970 053883 Jacky Brookes Mob: +44 (0) 7970 053883 |
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Award winning Chiltern Open Air Museum is showcasing local artistic talent this weekend (July 17/18) at their ‘Art Weekend’, and giving local artists the chance to be inspired by the many wonderful buildings and animals on their Newland Park site. And visitors will have chance to meet the artists and ‘have a go’ at some of the wide range of art form on offer. From watercolour to silk painting, from etchings to jewellery, this weekend promises to be an exciting showcase of local talent. The Museum holds a wide range of events throughout the season, and the team there decided to theme this weekend to celebrate the wide range and variety of talent across the area. Seen here is local artist and retired teacher Beryl Perriam, who will be found in Leagrave Cottages on the village green area of the Museum over the weekend, creating beautiful pastels. She has drawn her inspiration from real life and is seen here showing one of her paintings of a shire horse which will be on display. Beryl will be taking part this weekend, sketching and painting to show how easy it can be to collect ideas whilst out and about with a portable, lightweight sketching kit. Event organiser and Museum Education Officer, Melissa Maynard is delighted with the response from local artists and is excited about the weekend’s activities. ‘Many artists will have their work on display around the site and will be actively producing artwork based on inspiration from the Chiltern landscape and the wonderful historic buildings around them. Adds Melissa: ‘Visitors will have chance to meet and chat to the artists, and are also invited to bring a sketchpad, easel or camera along and try to capture the beauty and serenity of the Museums buildings and site for themselves!’ This weekend is one of an exciting season of events – covering over 30 weekends. Go to the website www.coam.org.uk for the latest updates or telephone the information line on 01494-872163. ends
PICTURE CAPTION: For further information contact Jacky Brookes |
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Award winning Chiltern Open Air Museum is holding a series of ‘Volunteers Open Days’ over the next two weeks, with the aim of recruiting new volunteers to the team. The sessions will include an introduction to volunteering and a tour of the Museum, together with an opportunity to talk to the staff about the various roles available. Particularly needed are ticket sellers and building stewards with great opportunities for training for these roles in a very friendly environment. Light refreshments will be provided. The Open Days will be held between 2.00 pm and 4.00 pm on Wednesday 14 July, Sunday 18 July and Tuesday 20 July. All are welcome whatever part of the age spectrum - teenagers, families, retired. Why don’t you come along, bring a friend too if you wish, and see if you would like to volunteer your time or that of your family to this exciting Museum just on your doorstep! For more information about the Museum go to www.coam.org.uk or telephone the Visitor Services Officer for more details about the day on 01494 871117. Jacky Brookes |
EVERY BREED OF TRADITIONAL WORKING HORSES AT MUSEUM! This weekend at the award winning Chiltern Open Air Museum is the hugely popular Heavy Horse Show – the annual event where every breed of traditional heavy horse is represented. There will be a host of working horses from the Hertfordshire Heavy Horse Association visit the Museum to demonstrate the essential role of heavy horses in the traditional rural landscape. Museum Director Sue Shave is delighted with the line up for the weekend. Says Sue: ‘Visitors will have chance to meet participants, including several Shires and a Clydesdale, Suffolk Punch and Percheron in between arena events at 12.00 pm and 3.00 pm at this spectacular show. These beautiful horses will be shown at their best in the arena events and they will also demonstrate some of their traditional farm work from pulling carts, cultivating our fields or cutting hay around the site at intervals throughout the day.’ And to add to the weekend’s activities, there will be chance to meet the two new and delightful young shire horses now resident at the Museum - West Winds Samuel & West Winds Joshua. Born in the summer of 2009, the two young half-brother shire horses recently arrived at the Museum from West Winds Farm at Woodham in Bucks. Over the next few years it is planned that they will train as a working pair of horses and will be able to perform many of the traditional farm tasks that this type of horse was originally bred for. This year we are joined by re-enactors from Portmouth who will portray itinerant Victorian farm labourers in a small encampment at the Museum over the weekend too. In addition on the Sunday afternoon a local farrier will be demonstrating the trimming of horses hooves on resident Clydesdale Harvey and the two shire foals West Winds Samuel and West Winds Joshua by the Museum Forge. And to top it all, new shire horse arrivals West Winds Samuel and West Winds Joshua will also be on view in their new home every day – with Samuel having just celebrated his first birthday. To celebrate Father’s Day, all dads will be given a voucher to return to the Museum over the summer period and enjoy more of the site attractions!
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MIDDLE AGES REVISITED - ACTION PACKED WEEKEND AT CHILTERN OPEN AIR MUSEUM A visit to the Chiltern Open Air Museum this weekend (12-13 June 2010) will provide a glimpse into the medieval way of life and warfare as a small group of historic interpreters from the 15th Century Living History group, ‘Pelican-in-her-Piety,’ makes their annual visit to this interesting and lively Museum. And an added bonus on the afternoon of 13 June will be Traditional English Morris Dancing where visitors can find out about the history, music and customs of Morris Dancing. Museum Director Sue Shave says: ‘We have an exciting weekend planned for our visitors. They will have chance to feel the weight of plate armour, try on a helmet and be amazed and appalled at the savagery of medieval warfare! ‘Arming a Knight’ will take place between 12.00 pm and 3.00 pm where Men at Arms will talk about their armour and put it to the test as they clash in bouts of head-to-head combat. Adds Sue: ‘At the archery target you will see for yourself the amazing power of the English Warbow and hear gruesome details of the English ‘100 Year War’ against the French. A display of ‘Archery through the Ages’ at 2.00 pm will detail the history and development of this powerful medieval weapon of mass destruction. It's an action packed weekend ahead!’ Meanwhile, back in the camp, cooks will be working over open fires to recreate recipes from the Middle Ages; as the aromas of cooking mingle with the evocative drifts of woodsmoke you will discover delights such as ‘Urchins’, ‘Frumenteye’ and ‘Perre’. Cream will be churned to butter and you can watch on as the dairymaid strains curds and whey to make cheese.Visit the wood turner’s tent to see wood being worked or to learn how rope was created – without a machine in sight! Continues Sue: ‘For those interested in beauty products, the unusual display of 15th Century ‘cosmetics’ will show you the lengths to which a higher status woman would go in order to catch her knight...and to keep him! Come along to the Museum and ask questions about costume, cookery, customs and crafts, try on armour and open a window onto life as it was lived 600 years ago!’ The museum has an exciting season of events – covering over 30 weekends. Go to the website www.coam.org.uk for the latest updates or telephone the information line on 01494-872163. Also visit www.pelican-in-her-piety.co.uk Picture caption:
Further information Jacky Brookes |
CHILTERN OPEN AIR MUSEUM AWARDED MAJOR FUNDING Chiltern Open Air Museum has been awarded major funding by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) under its ‘Skills for the Future’ programme*. The grant will be received over a four year period and will enable the Museum to take on eight trainees in heritage education and volunteer management. Museum Director Sue Shave is delighted with this successful application. ‘We have worked really hard to bid for this key funding, and are thrilled with the successful outcome. It means that we will be able to offer eight enthusiastic trainees training and vital job experience in skill areas such as volunteer management, education and interpretation in a twelve month placement with the Museum team. Each year the Museum will offer one volunteer management placement and one education and interpretation management working under the supervision of experienced Museum staff beginning in November 2010. ‘Skills for the Future’ offers work-based training in a wide range of skills that are needed to look after buildings, landscapes and museum and archive collections, as well as equipping people to lead education and outreach programmes and manage volunteers. Its focus is on vocational learning, helping meet the skills gaps identified by heritage bodies, and on encouraging potential trainees from all walks of life. Trainees will learn how to engage families, schools and communities with their heritage, bringing heritage sites and collections alive for the next generation. Adds Sue: ‘The Heritage Lottery Fund is making sure there is a skilled workforce for the future and we are so pleased to be part of this. It will also help contribute towards protecting the very best heritage from our past. Chiltern Open Air Museum is very proud of this achievement and proud of its recognition from the very highest level.’ Recruitment will begin in the autumn, and details will be posted on the Museum web site www.coam.org.uk at that time. Ends Notes to editors * Skills for the Future
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A new cherry orchard has been officially opened at award winning Chiltern Open Air Museum by Countess Howe, The High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire. The exciting new project is helping to safeguard the future of some rare cherry tree species, once common in the area. As part of its mission to recreate the traditional built and natural landscape of the area, the Museum team has created a new cherry orchard and supporters and Friends of the Museum are being given a unique opportunity to sponsor individual cherry trees. The response has been amazing with people sponsoring trees in memory of loved ones as well as present and future generations. Museum Fundraiser Sally McIver explains: ‘We are thrilled that Countess Howe so kindly agreed to officially open our brand new Cherry Orchard and also we were delighted to welcome one of our Patrons, local MP and new Secretary of State for Wales Cheryl Gillan to the event. There are too few locations in the country where collections of these trees are being held and some species are at high risk. Through creation of this orchard, we are helping to preserve this valuable genetic material for future generations. And we are raising the funds through individual sponsorship to make this possible.’ The Museum has set aside around one acre of land for the orchard and they plan to hold a complete reserve collection of all the cherry varieties known in the country and also aim to add further trees to maintain this status, should further unknown varieties re-emerge. The orchard will be a very attractive new feature for visitors to enjoy and follow its development over the season. Adds Sally: ‘Visitors will now have chance to see rare cherry species once common to the Chilterns’ This weekend’s event (June 5-6) is entitled ‘Be a Traditional Builder’ and gives visitors the opportunity to try out traditional building techniques and skills. For further information on this event or on the Cherry Tree Sponsorship Project telephone the Museum on 01494 871117, email fundraising@coam.org.uk or go to the website www.coam.org.uk (orchard pages). There are still a few trees left to sponsor, so please get in touch with Sally McIver at the Museum if interested. Photo caption: For further information contact
Jacky Brookes
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JOIN IN ON THE FARM – TRADITIONAL WORKING HORSES! This weekend (May 22/23) at award winning Chiltern Open Air Museum visitors will have chance to see each breed of heavy horse usually found in the UK – demonstrating how life used to be on the farm before tractors! And to add to the weekend's activities, the Museum will be introducing two new and delightful young shire horses - West Winds Samuel & West Winds Joshua.
Born in the summer of 2009, the two young half-brother shire horses recently arrived at the Museum from West Winds Farm at Woodham in Bucks. It is planned that they will train as a working pair of horses and will be able to perform many of the traditional farm tasks that this type of horse was originally bred for. Museum Director Sue Shave is thrilled to introduce the new shire horses to visitors on this special traditional working horse weekend. 'As we have our very popular annual Heavy Horse event on June 20, we felt it would be an excellent opportunity to theme our monthly Join In On The Farm weekend in May on traditional working horses. Indeed, it is perfect timing for visitors to meet our two new young shires' Adds Sue: 'They will join Harvey, a Clydesdale gelding who at the age of four and a half is currently in training for traditional agricultural and carriage work. Harvey regularly greets arriving visitors to the Museum and occasionally there may be the opportunity to help groom him or watch farm work demonstrations during their visit.' Also, this weekend the Museum welcomes a pair of shires from Hertfordshire, as well as a Percheron and a Suffolk (breeds of heavy horse) who will demonstrate the use of some of the Museum's collection of horse drawn vehicles and traditional farming cultivation and carting techniques, including a roller, chain harrow or hoe. Resident Clydesdale Harvey will be continuing his recent training in the use of horse drawn traditional farming techniques. And to top it all, new shire horse arrivals West Winds Samuel and West Winds Joshua will also be on view in their new home. PICTURE CAPTION: For further information contact Jacky Brookes
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 and Verena Clark outside the Toll House at Chiltern Open Air Museum.jpg)
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 with volunteer Verena Clark.jpg)
 and Joshua, with Harvey (right).jpg)