Ryedale Folk Museum

One of our most exciting events, the Ryedale Folk Museum Tractor & Engine Day is not to be missed. Dozens of tractors of all types, stationary engines and other vehicles will be present and also drive round the village. I hope you enjoy looking at this video and photographs of previous tractor days. The above video was filmed in 2009,photos from 2009 & 2010 Ryedale Folk Museum - Tractor and Engine Day blog from Tony O'Reilly - The Atom Film Co on Vimeo . Please click on the above link to watch an excellent video from 2011 Tractor Day.

Volunteer Jim Wood demonstrating traditional hay rake making to visitors: Carrie

Volunteer Jim Wood was checking up on our resident bees yesterday and taking care of the hive.  He is confident that it will be a thriving hive in a few weeks and all is looking good!  Have a look at the great photos and the short film below to see what he was up to.  I can confidently say that honey fresh from the hive is delicious!

Today was tractor Day at Ryedale Folk Museum. Exhibitors from far and wide brought in their prized tractors, stationary engines, implements and vehicles for visitors to see. The museum's Fordson Dexta and Massey Ferguson 135 loader tractor were amongst the exhibits which were all in excellent condition. If it was not for these enthusiasts, the future of these machines would be in doubt. In the years before the advent of the National Grid, it was essential to have a power source on the farm. Initially stationary steam engines were used, and then with oil powered engines, these petrol and paraffin engines were used for a variety of tasks such as generating electricity, pumping water, powering milking machines and milling grain. At 2p.m, the tractors drove through the museum grounds and did a loop round Hutton-le-Hole. I was very fortunate to have a pillion ride on the 1950's B.S.A B31, owned by museum volunteer Jim Wood. There's nothing like the sound of a British motorcycle....

Women's Land Army 2009 represented by Ryedale Education Manager Becky aboard the Museum's 1940's Fordson. World War 2 Fortnight is now well into the first week. Air-raids, evacuees and the Home Guard will all be present at various times. The Home Guard and more will be reenacted by the UK Homefront group, they can be found at: http://www.ukhomefront.co.uk/index.html . Over 100 reenactors will be present over the coming weekend. Here are a few photos of the proceedings today. We have had schoolchildren dressed as evacuees and experiencing life during the Second World War. Emma, one of the Education Managers at the museum is seen here dressed authentically as a munitions worker. The photograph above is of teacher Mr Thompson, who was wearing an excellent 1940's style suit, anyone remember Private Walker from Dad's Army? Jim Wood in this picture is teaching schoolchildren how to make pegs for hayrakes. He even brought his vintage Triumph Motorcycle Combination. Jo...