Steyning Museum back in action

Steyning Museum has reopened its doors for the first time since lockdown six months ago.
Steyning Museum - visitor William Vine penning his thoughtsSteyning Museum - visitor William Vine penning his thoughts
Steyning Museum - visitor William Vine penning his thoughts

Museum spokesman Ray Powell said: “We are trialling new extended opening hours 10am to 4pm each Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday with half-day opening 10am to 1pm on Fridays.

“The museum will be following required COVID-19 protocols, and visitors will need to wear a face mask when they come along. There will be a one-way system in operation to help with social distancing.”

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Physical reopening will build on all the hard work of recent months.

“We certainly have not been idle during lockdown. Soon after the beginning of lockdown in March, we started collecting a local record about the coronavirus pandemic. We have been col-lecting people’s thoughts and feelings about this hopefully once in a lifetime experience.

“We also have memorabilia, such as leaflets, newspaper items, poems and photos including those wonderful rainbows which sprang up everywhere.

“The plan is for this to become a research tool for the future showing what life was like in our area during these strange times. Now is your chance to come along and add your thoughts too. In the entrance of Steyning Museum we have a display showing extracts from people’s thoughts and a memory cloud on which you are invited to add a small note offering your ideas too. Please help us to add to our coronavirus memories collection by popping along and taking part.

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“Also to celebrate the re-opening, a new exhibition featuring toy theatres through the ages will be on display. The collection is owned by Andrew Woodfield who is curator of exhibitions at the museum.

“During his childhood, Andrew and three of his cousins ran a family theatre which was the springboard for his lifelong passion for toy theatres, and he has been adding to his collection ever since.

“During lockdown, Andrew prepared the exhibition which tells the story of juvenile drama – the name that the Victorians gave to the hobby – from the Regency period to the present day. The oldest toy theatre on display dates back to the 1880s, and the exhibition also includes some posters and prints which are even older than that.

“The exhibition is on display until mid-January when it will be replaced by an exhibition celebrating Victory in World War Two.

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“For more information please check our website: www.steyningmuseum.org.uk.”

The Museum is in Church Street, Steyning, West Sussex, BN44 3YB; telephone: 01903 813333; email: [email protected].

Only eight visitors will be allowed in the museum at one time. Disabled visitors are warmly welcomed.

“The museum tells the story of our local area from pre-history to the present day.

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“There are permanent exhibits and temporary displays, so a look around is equally worthwhile for new or regular visitors. If you want to research something in detail, we keep a library and archives. You can use your own smartphone to access an audio guide to our history and exhibits.

“The volunteers of Steyning Museum have been active since 1983. You are welcome to join as a member of Steyning Museum Trust.”

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