Ryedale Folk Museum

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

The story of Robin Butler finding the incredibly old siver spoon whilst conserving the Harome Manor House for Ryedale Folk Museum has been told previously on the blog: http://ryedalefolkmuseum.blogspot.com/2009/05/blacksmith-and-museum-volunteer-robin.html However Ryedale Folk Museum was recently made aware of the British Museum's online link detailing the spoon and crediting Museum Blacksmith Robin Butler with finding it.  To have a look at the British Museums listing of the object go to:  http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/search_the_collection_database/search_object_details.aspx?objectid=76690&partid=1&searchText=1976%2c0401.1&numpages=10&orig=%2fresearch%2fsearch_the_collection_database.aspx¤tPage=1 The spoon (dated 1510) was acquired by the British Museum as Treasure Trove in 1976,  A replica of the spoon can be seen in Ryedale Folk Museum's Manor House. C.G

Blacksmith and volunteer extraordinaire Robin Butler turned 80 on Saturday 27th March. Robin had expressed his wish to spend his birthday at the museum, doing what he does best -blacksmithing! A lovely day was had by all and there was a big crowd to celebrate the event. Many local blacksmiths attended the party and each made a nail in the museum's forge which was then banged into the wooden 'birthday cake'. Below are two videos of the day, one showing some of the blacksmithing which took place and the other of the festivities in Fat Betty's . Many lovely photos were taken too so there's also a slideshow. A big blog post for a big birthday! C.Gough (pics by P and S Gough)

Robin Butler recalls Second World War air raids in Kirkbymoorside. C.Gough

Museum Volunteers Robin Butler and Peter Smith share their memories of wartime treasure hunting. Silk parachutes and unexploded parachute flares could be of great value to a wartime youth. C.Gough

Two of the museum's lively volunteers, 98 year old Geoffrey Willey, (photographer) and the slightly younger Robin Butler, (blacksmith) take a well deserved break after an eight hour shift at the museum.

Part Two of Peter and Robin's Evacuee Stories Following last weeks blog of Peter discussing his experiences as an evacuee you can now click on the player below to hear part of Robin Butler's story. Robin gives a view of what it was like to host evacuees, his family took in a pair of evacuees whom, among other things had never eaten a boiled egg! Carrie Gough

Blacksmith and Museum volunteer Robin Butler tells his story of finding a silver spoon wedged within the thatch of the crumbling Harome Manor House in 1971. Robin found the spoon whilst working as part of a group of volunteers dismantling the building in order to preserve and rebuild it on site at Ryedale Folk Museum. The original spoon is now held by the British Museum, Ryedale Folk Museum has a replica which is on display in the Manor House on site. This video uses images from the museum's photographic collection and shows the volunteers at work. Carrie Gough

Blacksmith and Museum volunteer Robin Butler tells his story of finding a silver spoon wedged within the thatch of the crumbling Harome Manor House in 1971. Robin found the spoon whilst working as part of a group of volunteers dismantling the building in order to preserve and rebuild it on site at Ryedale Folk Museum. The original spoon is now held by the British Museum, Ryedale Folk Museum has a replica which is on display in the Manor House on site. This video uses images from the museum's photographic collection and shows the volunteers at work. Carrie Gough

Blacksmith and Museum volunteer Robin Butler tells his story of finding a silver spoon wedged within the thatch of the crumbling Harome Manor House in 1971. Robin found the spoon whilst working as part of a group of volunteers dismantling the building in order to preserve and rebuild it on site at Ryedale Folk Museum. The original spoon is now held by the British Museum, Ryedale Folk Museum has a replica which is on display in the Manor House on site. This video uses images from the museum's photographic collection and shows the volunteers at work. Carrie Gough

Robin Butler, a stalwart volunteer at Ryedale Folk Museum is often to be seen at the Blacksmith' s shop fettling something whilst people watch. In this short film he is making a Celtic brooch whilst being interviewed by a young visitor.

Robin Butler, a stalwart volunteer at Ryedale Folk Museum is often to be seen at the Blacksmith' s shop fettling something whilst people watch. In this short film he is making a Celtic brooch whilst being interviewed by a young visitor.