Ryedale Folk Museum

This last weekend we had the 'No Name' re-enactors demonstrating onsite. The group demonstrated different crafts and told stories of how people lived from Iron age up to Medieval times. This included wood turning on a pole lathe, weapon and tool making, story telling, weaving and net making.  We also had re-enactors occupying our Iron Age Roundhouse!   We welcome the group back over August Bank Holiday weekend.

From Monday 4th to Friday 8th June at Ryedale Folk Museum we have a range of Half Term activities based round traditional crafts, each day there will be crafts demonstrated and you can join in too! Every day there will be cooking in the cottages and a different craft demonstration - including mangle-printing, blacksmithing, quilting and rope-making. Please phone - 01751 417337 - to find out details of each day.

Take a look at local artist Wendy Greenwood Raku firing on site. To Raku fire you put a glazed pot and take it up to 1000 degree C. You then quench it in water or another combustable material. Shown at the end of the film is a technique called Horse hair Raku, where you put the pot in the kiln until hot enough for the horse hair to melt into the pot and not just burn away. Wendy is holding a few courses using the technique through the year for the museum: Make &Fire Your Own Pot Booked as a two session course Tues 5th June 1-3pm & Tues 19th June 12.30-3.30pm Make and fire your own handmade pot using the traditional Raku Technique. A two session course split over two weeks to allow your pot to dry and be bisque before firing. In session one you will build your own pot and have a go at using the kick wheel, and in session two you will get to glaze and fire your pot to then take home! £25 per person, includes all materials and entry to the museum Glaze and Fire a Pot (pot...

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

On Wednesday 1st September staff and volunteers hooped 3 wheels using traditional methods, following a successful wheel hoop earlier in the year.  The vintage binder (circa 1870) can now be fully restored.  There are two videos below of the days events.  The event was also attended by a master wheelwright Phillip Gregson and his two apprentices Charlotte and John.  Phillip had seen the previous wheel hoop video on youtube and came a long way to see the rest done!  Thanks to all who took part and spectated. C.G

New volunteer and saddler Kieran has been at the museum this week giving demonstrations of his work and making various leather items. Many belts were made for eager staff and visitors as well as stirrup leathers and other items. The video below shows Kieran at work in the saddlery, busy making a beautiful leather belt. C.Gough