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2008 News
Thank You Tea
The Museum Society organised a Thank You Tea on the afternoon of Wednesday 10 December 2008
for all those that had staffed the Museum during the last year. It was held at Grounds in the High Street,
and enjoyed by all those who attended.
Pre-Christmas Supper
A Pre-Christmas Supper was organised by the Museum Society at the Norfolk Centre on evening of
4 December 2008, and Terry Bedford of the St Marys Gate Inn laid on an excellent three course meal. Unfortunately
Nick Lipton got held up on the M25 and was unable to get down to Arundel as planned to provide music for us on
his saxophone.
Winter Exhibition
From late November 2008, the Museum hosted an exhibition describing the history of the Port of
Arundel from its foundation in 1071 to its decline in the early 20th century when it was finally transferred to
Littlehampton. This exhibition makes a fascinating introduction to our 'Bridge to Bridge Walk'
leaflet.
Arundel was well known for shipbuilding from the Middle Ages to the 19th century, and we are
showing ten large ship models, including several ships built or used in Arundel. These amazingly detailed
models have been individually designed and made by Tony Pudwell.
Tony Pudwell made his first ship model at the age of fourteen. Each model is individually
designed and built. Having researched the ship, he produces a scale plan, then constructs the model using
scrap wood and other materials. His largest model took over a year to complete in his spare time.
Tony has been a volunteer at Arundel Museum for over forty years. His model making skills
and special interest in local archaeology have been invaluable in bringing the past to life. His most
challenging project for us was a scale model of the whole of Arundel, showing the town as it was in 1975,
shortly after it had been designated a Conservation Area.
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Casino Evening
The Casino Evening organised by the Museum Society at the Norfolk Centre on 31
October 2008 was a great success. We must thank Cllr Norman Dingemans and his crew for running
the casino. Excellent canapés, courtesy of Terry Bedford, were served throughout the evening,
and Jack Edmonds' bar was kept busy. The evening was rounded off with an auction, and
thanks must go to all those who donated items for the bidding, and to James James-Crook for being
our auctioneer. In all, the evening made over £1,100 for the Museum, and this excludes a very
generous gift made on the night by Cecilia Gillett towards our new museum.
Martyn Must
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Martyn Must
Martyn Must
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Walk This Way
In October 2008, the Museum Society published two leaflets for people who wish
to follow self-guided walks around the town. They are available from the History Store and other
outlets around the town. They cost £1 each.
- Footsteps Back in Time - a walk around the centre of the
town.
- Bridge to Bridge Walk - a walk along the north side of
the river.
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Autumn Talks
The first of our autumn talks was enjoyed by members and guests at the
Norfolk Centre on Thursday 16 October 2008. The talk was presented by Jeannie
Millington and covered 'A Century of Riot and Protest in West Sussex'.
Our last talk of the year took place on Thursday 20 November, again at
the Norfolk Centre. It was presented by Peter Casebow, Vice Chairman of High
Salvington Mill Trust, and dealt with the history of the windmill and its
restoration. The talk also briefly covered the mills of Arundel.
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News Coverage
Summer and Autumn press coverage included the following:
- An update on plans for the new museum published in the West Sussex Gazette of
Wednesday 13 August 2008. Please
click here to read the full item.
- A further update published in the West Sussex Gazette of Wednesday 1 October
2008. Please
click here to read the full item.
- Arundel Heritage Centre update published in the Autumn 2008 edition of
The Bell. Please
click here to read the full article.
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Berwick Church and Firle Place
A Visit to Berwick Church and Firle Place near Lewes was arranged for
Thursday 4 September 2008. This coach trip was fully booked well in advance.
The group was treated to conducted tours at both places. Lunch was taken at the
excellent Cricketers in Berwick, and tea at Firle Place.
Berwick Church (right) is notable for its 20th century murals completed
in the 1940s by Duncan Grant, Vanessa Bell and Quentin Bell, who were members of the
Bloomsbury Set residing at nearby Charleston Farmhouse.
Martyn Must
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Martyn Must
Firle Place (left) is the home of the Gage family. It has the look of an
18th century house, but this conceals parts that are probably medieval. Unfortunately
the poor weather prevented extended perambulation around the outside of the building or across
to the Church in West Firle.
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Arundel Day Fair at the 2008 Festival
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The Museum Society organised three activities in connection with the Day Fair
that was part of Arundel Festival. The proceeds from these events went towards the
Museum's development fund.
The now traditional Waiters' Relay Race took place in the High Street.
There was a very good field of 14 entries. It was won by Mill Road Leisure Café.
The Football Club hosted the Third Annual Marbles Championship, won by
a team from the Slipe, captained by Eric Nash.
The Children's Craft Stall at the Football Club was well attended, and gave
the children a lot of fun.
John Bowyer
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John Bowyer
John Bowyer
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Exhibitions from Late July 2008
From late July 2008, the following exhibitions will be on display at the
Museum's History Store.
- The Men Behind the Buildings -
Arundel's Victorian Architects
An exhibition of Arundel's Victorian
architects and their architecture. Collect a leaflet about the architects
and an I Spy Victorian Buildings Family Trail and Quiz from the Museum.
- When Queen Victoria Came to
Stay
An exhibition of the visit by Queen
Victoria and Prince Albert to Arundel in December 1846.
- Amazing Eels
All about eels. An exhibition
linked to the Victorian Time Team Trail.
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You can learn about the Victorians by joining the West Sussex Museums Council's
Victorian Time Team Trail, which takes you through museums in and around West Sussex.
Collect a leaflet and a competition entry form from the History Store,
and start the trail. You could win one of two £50 prizes by answering five or more
questions, and sending in your answers by early September.
For more information on the Time Travel Trail, please
click here.
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Martyn Must
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Boules
An evening of pétanque was enjoyed by over 60 people at Arundel Football Club
on the evening of Thursday 17 July 2008. A warm, dry evening certainly helped, and the evening
was rounded off with a splendid buffet. Our funds received a well earned boost of over £750.
The event was so successful that two subsequent pétanque evenings were
arranged. For the first on Wednesday 13 August, there was no food laid on after the
pétanque, but the bar was open. For the second on Thursday 11 September, a paella supper
was planned, but the whole evening had to be cancelled because the play area was waterlogged,
although a small group turned up and had a quick game in the car park.
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2008 Town Walks
In May and June, Arundel Museum arranged the a programme of
accompanied walks around the town. The walks were aimed at adults with an
interest in local history.
- Sunday 25 May - Medieval Arundel
1½ hours. Leader: Rosemary Hagedorn.
Steward: John Penfold.
- Sunday 1 June - Hidden Arundel
1 hour. Leader: Rosemary Hagedorn.
Steward: Rupert Brook.
- Sunday 8 June - The Port of Arundel
1 hour. Leader: Brian Parkinson.
Steward: Pat Lawrence.
- Sunday 15 June - Historic Pub Crawl
1½ - 2 hours. Leader: Rupert Brook.
Steward: Rosemary Hagedorn.
- Sunday 22 June - Medieval Arundel
½ hours. Leader: Rosemary Hagedorn.
Steward: John Penfold.
- Sunday 29 June - The Port of Arundel
1 hour. Leader: Brian Parkinson.
Steward: Pat Lawrence
All walks started at 11.15am from the Museum's temporary portacabin
accommodation located in the Car Park in Mill Road opposite the Castle entrance.
There was no pre-booking; it was pay on arrival on a first come, first served basis.
There was a limit of 20 people per walk. The Port Walk was accessible for wheelchair
or powered chair users. Unfortunately, the other walks included steep hills which
would have been difficult for some people.
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Summer Boat Trip and Cream Tea
The Museum Society organised a boat trip on the River Arun on the afternoon of
7 June 2008. It left from Arundel Boatyard and went upstream. The tide was high so
the views were good. On returning to the town, a cream tea was laid on in the Boatyard
Tea Rooms.
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Martyn Must
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Accompanied Town Walks
During May and June 2008, the Museum Society arranged the following programme
of accompanied walks around the town. The walks were aimed at adults with an interest in
local history. The walks included:
- Medieval Arundel
- Hidden Arundel
- The Port of Arundel
- Historic Pub Crawl
AGM
The 44th Annual General Meeting of the Arundel Museum Society was held on 14 May
2008 at the Norfolk Centre. After the formal agenda was complete, Graham Whitehouse presented
a progress report on the plans for the new Museum and its building.
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Ale and Beer-Houses of Old Arundel
Rupert Brooks is researching the Ale and Beer-Houses of Old Arundel on behalf of the
Arundel Museum Society. A draft manuscript with pictures has been submitted to a local publisher
of books on history. It could achieve publication with the proviso that sufficient support warrants
the printing.
Those people who thought they might buy such a publication were asked to download
a notice of intent and send it to Rupert.
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Spring Fundraising Events
The Museum Society organised two events at the Norfolk Centre on Saturday 29 March
2008. Together they raised over £1600 towards the funds for the new Museum.
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Spring Market
Our Spring Market was held during the day. It featured numerous stalls, games
and a tombola to amuse visitors. And there were refreshments to sustain them.
Tribute to Flanders and Swann
Later, David Bathurst provided us with a 'Tribute to Flanders and Swann'
during an evening that included a two course supper.
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Rupert Brooks
Rupert Brooks
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Spring Talks
This spring, two interesting talks were enjoyed by members and guests at the Norfolk
Centre. On 13 March 2008, a talk on Roman Armies was given by John Smith, Curator of Bignor
Roman Villa. Then on 17 April, Tony Pratt of the Wey and Arun Trust gave a talk, illustrated by
slides and video, entitled 'Horsham to Littlehampton in 100 years'.
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Opening Our New Home
The official opening of the new temporary home for Arundel Museum took place at Mill
Road Car Park on 14 March 2008. The Duke of Norfolk kindly performed the opening ceremony.
For a report on the official opening
click here.
The Museum was open to the public from Saturday 15 March, and it is currently hosting a
photographic exhibition of the Porches and Porticos of Arundel, linked to a walking tour of the town.
A series of different exhibitions is planned for the coming year.
The Museum will now remain open throughout the winter.
Our accommodation is sponsored by Geoffrey Osborne Ltd and Speedy Space Limited.
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John Bowyer
John Bowyer
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Delivering Our New Temporary Home
A new temporary home for Arundel Museum was delivered to Mill Road Car Park
on 29 January 2008, and a start was then made to making it habitable for the new season.
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John Bowyer
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Rupert Brooks
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First Social Event of 2008
Our first social event of 2008 was an evening of jollification on 18 January
at the Norfolk Centre. A three course supper was laid on by Terry Bedford of St. Marys
Gate Inn who sponsored the event. Music from the 60s, 70s and 80s was provided by
'Touch2Much'.
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Our Old Home
Located in the High Street, this grade 2* listed building was home
to the Arundel Museum from 1977 until it was reluctantly vacated at the end of 2007.
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