Worthwhile tour of museum

'It is essential that we try to attract more members before we dwindle away,' she said .

Following the AGM, Mrs Sheila Dollin gave an illustrated talk about Amberley Working Museum entitled '˜A sit-down Walk around the Museum'.

The chalk pits site was occupied until 1965, when lime ceased to be produced.

It then became derelict until interest was shown in setting up the museum.

As there was already a historical building on the site that needed preserving, a grant was given by the West Sussex County Council.

The building was a De Witt kiln which had been preserved on site because it was the first kiln to use down draft to make lime.

Eight people have set up businesses on the site. These include pottery, wood turning, besom making, black smithing and printing. The man making the besom brooms could not understand why his business had suddenly taken off recently, until his daughter reminded him of the popularity of the Harry Potter books, which is why many young people wished to own a broom.

The rest of the people working in the museum are volunteers, and it has been estimated that, if their labour had to be paid for, it would cost 8 million per year.

These volunteers are responsible for the trains and busses used on the site. Many helpers restore and run the services around the museum where, after paying the entrance fee, all rides are free.

Many buildings have been donated and rebuilt around the museum.

A Southdown bus garage, the well- known Fairmile caf, which stood for many years beside the A29, and a tollbooth from Littlehampton have all been erected on site by volunteer labour.

Any static displays at the museum have been donated by various organisations.

Among these is a British Telecom building where historical artefacts are on show such as telephones through the ages, switchboards, and satellite communication equipment.

Another building houses displays of the many uses of electricity since its invention. There is so much to see that if anyone is unable to get around in one day, their ticket can be used on another day so they can see the rest of the exhibits.

The speaker was thanked by the president Mr Robin Low who said that the talk would encourage members to pay a visit even if they had been before because of the many recent additions.

The next event will be the annual walk on Friday, June 25, starting from Nyton Spinney at 7pm for a two hour walk. For deyails call 01243 551524 or 542426.