THE RETURN OF THE MARKET HALL

Market Hall miniature returns home from museum of historic buildings
A beautiful scale model of a Hampshire village’s historic market hall has been presented to the village by the Museum which saved the original building over 35 years ago. Titchfield’s 17th century market hall was rescued by the Weald & Downland Open Air Museum at Singleton, near Chichester, in 1971 after the extensive restoration work required to save it proved impossible to carry out on its original site in the village. The Museum carefully dismantled, restored and re-erected the Hall on its beautiful downland site, which is home to over 45 rescued historic buildings from across south east England.

The model of Titchfield Market Hall was made about 20 years ago by the late Alf Bryden, who made several models of Museum buildings during his time as Assistant Warden. It has since been cared for by the Friends of the Museum, an independent charity and membership organisation who support the Museum’s work. The Friends recently approached Peter Usher, Chairman of the Titchfield Local History Society, to enquire if the Society would like the model permanently returned to the village, whose original Market Hall is still fondly remembered by many residents. Mr Usher and Sepha Wood, Chairman of the Trustees of the Titchfield Community Centre, recently visited the Museum and were delighted to receive the model on behalf of the community.

The model was presented by Jean Piggott, Chairman of the Friends of the Museum, next to the original market hall, now lovingly restored as far as possible to its original form, and centrepiece of the Museum’s historic market square area. The Hall is always popular with visitors, and plays an active role in Museum life: it has hosted period music, been the venue for children’s activities, provided shelter for wedding parties, and even featured as a backdrop in the occasional historical TV production hosted by the Museum!

Visitors can visit Titchfield Market Hall and all other Museum exhibits every day this year until 23 December. Admission prices are £8.50 for adults, over 60s £7.50, children £4.50, family £23.30, and under 5’s free. Opening hours are 10.30am - 6pm during British Summer Time, and 4pm for the rest of the year.

The award-winning Weald & Downland Open Air Museum has over 45 historic building exhibits and is designated by the Government for the outstanding importance of its collections. Exhibits include a medieval farmstead; a working watermill producing wholemeal stoneground flour; exhibitions focusing on traditional building techniques and agriculture; historic gardens, farm livestock and a working Tudor kitchen. The Museum runs a well-established schools programme, and an adult learning programme of courses in building conservation and rural crafts. There is a café which uses the Museum’s own flour and a shop with gifts and books on countryside and buildings themes. The modern Downland Gridshell houses the Museum’s building conservation centre and artefact collection; there is a daily tour at 1.30pm when the Museum is open, and an appointments system for visits to the collections for research purposes.

Note to editors: Reporters and photographers welcome. For further information and photographs of contact Cathy Clark, Marketing Officer on 01243 811363, fax 01243 811475, email marketing@wealddown.co.uk . Further details about the Museum and its activities are also available on the Museum information line on 01243 811348, or at www.wealddown.co.uk .

Images of the presentation of the model are available on request.

13.05.08