Ryedale Folk Museum

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

                                                              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

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

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

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

On Friday 19th November the model village at Ryedale Folk Museum was officially declared complete and open!  The volunteers have worked on restoring the village since its arrival in 2008.  For more history of the project see volunteer John Nicoll's previous blog post - http://ryedalefolkmuseum.blogspot.com/2009/06/john-nicoll-workshop-volunteer.html   The official unveiling of the plaque was performed by Anne Mcintosh MP.  See the video below: C.G

A giant chicken has escaped from Ryedale Folk Museum and been spotted roaming around a nearby village! C.G

Today, John, of the volunteer team was busy restoring the miniature keep, part of the collection of miniature buildings donated by Harlow Carr Gardens,Harrogate. This weekend the museum is hosting events based around the popular story of Wind In The Willows, the play being performed live performed outdoors (depending on the weather) by the Library Theatre.

Originally from the West Riding of Yorkshire , I moved to Kirkbymoorside 10 years ago having taken early retirement in 1996 from Lucas Aerospace where I worked as a Production Enginner. Now part of a small team in the workshop of Ryedale Folk Museum where we undertake a large variety of tasks including agricultural machinery repairs and overhaul and general maintenance of the site and it's exhibits. I think I have now the best job ever !! The following is our latest challenge. THE MODEL VILLAGE PROJECT. HISTORY OF THE VILLAGE. The village was started in the 1950's as a garden feature at the Beckwithshaw , Harrogate home of Mr John Hayton , an agricultural engineer and took 30 years for him to complete. Built to approximately 1/12th scale it consists of 30 buildings including a church complete with pews and font , castle , terraced housing with a corner shop , windmill , public house , boat house , forge , school , village hall , water mill with working wheel , police station , ...

Here is our latest blog about the work that is carried out by dedicated staff and volunteers at Ryedale Folk Museum. At the moment there are several projects going on, one of which is restoring a great model village - kindly donated from Harlow Carr Gardens, Harrogate. Another is the building of a new shed to help preserve the vintage agricultural machinery and implements. Kevin, the Museum Manager is in this video parking one of the museum tractors. This M.F 135 was restored to its former glory at the museum, after spending many years as a scaper tractor on a dairy farm.