Ryedale Folk Museum

Ryedale Folk Museum are holding their annual Halloween Party on October 31st 2014. Experience the museum at night with our family fun Halloween evening party 6-8pm. There will be pumpkin carving and fancy dress competitions, children’s crafts, themed food, apple bobbing & more! For more information or to book please call the museum on 01751 417367 or email emma@ryedalefolkmuseum.co.uk

Here a re a few photos from Tractor & Engine Day 2014. which was held on Sunday 13th July. Thanks go to Museum Director Jennifer Smith for these. JS

Last week we had an escapee pullet from the museum's flock of chickens. It was a Barnevelder , a breed originating in Holland. They lay a lovely brown egg and are great for showing or for a backyard hen.(See Your Chickens , http://www.yourchickens.co.uk/directory/hens-a-z/barnevelder_1_761063. Hopefully Richard and I made the pen hen proof... JS Barnevelder Pullets Barnevelder adult chickens

Today at the museum the sun was shining and the cornfield and vegetable garden looked great. I am sure you won't see a cornfield this colourful anywhere else in Yorkshire. JS Cornfield Flowers look lovely but where's the wheat? Vegetable Garden potatoes looking very tidy. Onion bed. Peas An abundance of herbs.

I found a few photos from last month, the Model Village needs constant upkeep just like real size houses. I did the strimming and cresosoted all woodwork,Jane Thompson & pupils from Ryedale School were a good help. Jonathan S Ryedale School working on model village Busy creosoting the model barn

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.

Has anybody got the yearning to learn blacksmithing? Ryedale Folk Museum is running a blacksmithing course this Saturday 12th July 2014, ring the museum for further details 01751 417367. In the meantime enjoy this video of our resident blacksmith Robin Butler making a Celtic brooch. Jonathan Severs

Portable Miniature Carousel Richard Bowman making adjustments to running gear  Just found these photos I took ages ago of the miniature carousel which was in the workshop in May. It was originally a searchlight used in the Second World War and was donated to the museum after it's conversion. Jonathan S

                                                              A much valued and respected volunteer John Nicoll died suddenly on March 14th. John was always someone who I regarded (like many volunteers/museum staff) as a good friend. He always worked to a very high standard and got the job done. In particular the model village is a monument to his labours, I took dozens of photos of the restoration as it progressed, it is a credit to John and his wife Colleen. John will be missed by us all at the museum. Jonathan S

The Halloween party at Ryedale Folk Museum was fantastic. Activities included apple bobbing, crafts, and a pumpkin competition. There were witches and vampires present in large quantities, and also lovely hot-dogs and soup served by the Simms family. Sausages supplied by Beadlam Grange Farm Shop (they are delicious by the way).Buy them here: http://www.beadlamgrange.co.uk/ Above all the best bit of the night was a great act by a few vampires which included leaping out of coffins, a ghostly dance display and spooky story telling. They did a great rendition of 'Three Little Pigs'. There was a good crowd present and the event was enjoyed by all, meself included. Jonathan S

(Image found at:  http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2011/10/9/1318179164551/boy-listening-to-wireless-007.jpg , accessed 12/9/13. Just to remind everyone we now have downloadable podcasts to listen to on our Ryedale Folk Museum Radio page. Our most recent additions are from Meriel about the clothing collection and from Dorothy talking about her wartime experiences in the Women's Land Army. The podcasts can be found on the Ryedale Folk Museum Radio Page - just click on it or by this link: http://ryedalefolkmuseum.blogspot.co.uk/p/ryedale-folk-museum-radio.html Jonathan Severs

Here are a few photos from yesterday at the museum. What a gorgeous day it was, I was busy in the machinery shed with the potato riddles whilst John Nicoll was busy cutting the grass in the model village. I took a few shots of the scale model in the Manor House of the Vale of Pickering. This was made by museum volunteer John Paul , well done John. Jonathan S

RFM Radio? Podcasts? At Ryedale Folk Museum we are now uploading podcasts onto our blog, you can find them on the RFM Radio page of this blog. They are available to listen to via the blog: http://ryedalefolkmuseum.blogspot.co.uk/p/ryedale-folk-museum-radio.html   or for you to download to listen to later. This project was funded thanks to the Paul Hamlyn Foundation. Jonathan S

Are you stuck for ideas over this Easter Weekend? Come to Ryedale Folk Museum with the family and enjoy some traditional Easter activities including decorating eggs, egg rolling and an egg trail. You can also make some Easter cards and spot the bunny. Also coming up are Max's birthday celebrations, not sure if we're eating cake or oats but I'm sure it will be a fantastic day.  Jonathan S

Lister hayrake after first coat of red oxide On Thursday 7th March I put the finishing touches to the first coast of paint on the Lister hayrake. we are a bit unsure what paint scheme to use next, if anyone knows please get in touch with the museum please. Meanwhile in the Model Village  John Nicoll was busy installing a new motor to the windmill. John has done loads of work restoring the model village and maintaining it is a constant job. John Nicoll busy installing the new motor for the windmill sails. Just round the corner I found some people busy at work digging. Tom Normandale and Chris Wilson were busy preparing a new home for the Cornfield Flower Project. Chris told me a few things about the different types of nettle, how they usually find at least four varieties and how they would be much more abundant years ago before herbicides became commonplace. Chris Wilson & Tom Normandale. Chris demonstrating how the seeds from the cornfield flowers will land on the tidy kitchen ...

The museum's model village Kevin & Wendy Simms. Wendy demonstrating the use of a rolling pin The salt box in Stang End. A salt box was often built into the fireplace wall to prevent salt going damp. A traditional cheese press in Stang End. Enjoying a cookie decorated in White Cottage. A few pictures of the museum during half-term. It was cold, but as usual plenty to see and do, the little lad loves it. Jonathan S

Are you struggling for something to do in the half-term break with the family? Why not come to Ryedale Folk Museum for children's crafts and activities from  1000-1500hrs each weekday? For further details ring us on 01751 417367

It was a bit cold today at the museum, but we are always open for business whatever the weather.  David and I made some more progress with the Lister hay turner, giving it a wire brush down and painting the wheels. John Nicoll came in to do some work on the windmill sails from the model village. David took some good photos of the model village, you'd nearly think it was full scale, not miniature with the snow. David giving the Lister hayrake a coat of paint Close up of gearbox, Lister Blackstone John Nicoll busy restoring  model windmill sails Model village in winter Jonathan S