polelathe - first show of the season

Sunday was good weather and my first outdoor show of this year at the Weald & Downland Open Air Museum, Singleton, near Chichester where I am the bodger (aka pole lathe demonstrator).

The medieval farmhouse, Bayleaf, is one of the jewels in the crown at the museum and gets to feature in a lot of films and TV shows.






I was on my normal pitch, an old oak tree down beyond the water mill next to the blacksmiths forge. A hole in the canopy, enlarged over the last couple of years, just allows me to shelter under it. You will find me there at most of the shows this season.

With the calm weather and only a 1 day show I decided to go 'au natural' without my pole and canvas shelter which takes extra time to put up and take down.




Before the museum opened I had a quick walk around to say hello to some of the buildings, the animals and friends I haven't seen since last year.

Behind Bayleaf, the farmhouse is a large barn and the oxen, who didn't seem particularly impressed to see me early in the morning.

One of the things I like about the museum is the way in which the buildings and animals are all working together.



It's a place where you can kick the tyres - but wear boots if you do, because most of the tyres are metalled!

The side of Poplar, a small workers cottage from the 17th century was bathed in the warm light from the sun with the winter teasels still standing in the garden.







It just kept getting warmer through the day which was a great contrast to last years cold and wet shows. Almost too warm as there was little shelter from the sun without the tree in leaf.

The weather brought out the visitors in good numbers, over 3 thousand. Certainly kept me busy all day and the first task was to make a new display table as the old one had just collapsed!






By the time the last of the visitors had gone it was well past 5 O'clock and the museum had closed at 4pm!

Many thanks to Robert and Carol, the blacksmith's, for keeping in cake and helping me dismantle the recalcitrant lathe at the end of the day when I lost the plot. A great day with everyone in good spirit and I'm looking forward to the next show over Easter.