The Weald & Downland Open Air Museum at Singleton, near Chichester, West Sussex, has announced the appointment of Richard Pailthorpe as its new Museum Director. Richard joined at the beginning of January, after Richard Harris, Director since 2001, retired at the end of last year. Richard Pailthorpe brings a wealth of expertise and experience in the heritage and visitor attractions sectors, including a significant previous role at the Museum from 1979 to 1995.
The award-winning Weald & Downland Open Air Museum has over 45 historic building exhibits and is designated by the Government for the outstanding importance of its collections. Exhibits include a medieval farmstead; a working watermill producing wholemeal 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 adult learning programme of courses in building conservation and rural crafts. There is a café which uses the Museum’s own flour and a shop with gifts and books on countryside and buildings themes. The modern Downland Gridshell houses the Museum’s building conservation centre and artefact collection; there is a daily tour at 1.30pm when the Museum is open, and an appointments system for visits to the collections for research purposes.
Weald & Downland Open Air Museum
Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 0EU
Further details about the Museum and its activities are also available on the Museum information line on 01243 811348, or at www.wealddown.co.uk