Weald & Downland Living Museum Broadens its Historic and Traditional Skills 2023 Learning Programme

Independent West Sussex Weald & Downland Living Museum expands it's 2023 course offering in historic professions and arts

The renowned Weald & Downland Living Museum is excited to announce the addition of new courses to its comprehensive 2023 learning agenda, while also welcoming back many favourites from past years.

The Weald & Downland Living Museum is an independent museum, which is entirely self-funded and independent of core government funding. Funds are required to conserve the historic buildings and artefacts on site and these come from visitors, members and museum supporters.

Museum’s Head of Learning, Deborah Hodson, remarked, "Our 2023 course lineup features skills such as nalbinding, quilting, and traditional linocut printmaking. Driven by the burgeoning interest in plant and herb uses from our ancestral countryside and ancient culinary techniques, we've added four new courses focusing on herbalism and cooking. Returning favourites include leather belt and pouch crafting, letter carving, and stumpwork."

Weald & Downland's curriculum spans from day-long introductory sessions to thorough courses encompassing a broad spectrum of historic professions and arts. These range from heavy horse care, beekeeping, and falconry, to weaving, spinning, and printmaking. For individuals seeking formal academic recognition, the Museum offers two MSc degrees, MSC in Timber Building Conservation and an MSc in Building Conservation.

"Championing lifelong education and the preservation of imperiled crafts is central to our mission, ensuring these skills persist for future generations. We're continually astounded by our diverse group of learners, from seasoned professionals keen to deepen their understanding of traditional construction and preservation, to individuals eager to delve into historical rural life or pick up a new pastime. Everyone is warmly invited," Deborah added.

Learners will benefit from the Museum's rich collection of historical structures and artifacts, coupled with its captivating surroundings and local character, providing an unparalleled educational backdrop.

"Course fees begin at £55 per person, conducted by seasoned professionals passionate about their craft and eager to impart their expertise and talents. Whether you're exploring a new pastime or mastering a novel skill, we've got the right course for you."

For a comprehensive look at the Weald & Downland Living Museum's 2023 offerings, please visit www.wealddown.co.uk/courses.

About Weald & Downland Living Museum

Located in the heart of the South Downs National Park, the award-winning Weald & Downland Living Museum has over 50 historic building exhibits and is designated for the importance of its collections. Exhibits include a medieval farmstead; a working watermill producing stoneground flour; exhibitions focusing on traditional building techniques and agriculture; historic gardens; farm livestock and a working Tudor kitchen. The Museum runs a well-established schools programme and an award-winning adult learning programme of courses in building conservation and rural arts and crafts courses. The café uses the Museum’s flour and the shop stocks flour, gifts and books. And parts of the museum can also be booked as a unique wedding venue. 

The modern Downland Gridshell houses the Museum’s building conservation centre and artefact collection; there is a regular tour at 2.00pm and an appointments system for research visits to the collections.

Media Contact
Rebecca Main
01243 811363 

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Source Company - https://www.wealddown.co.uk/