Visit to the Plumbing Museum and Workshop Trust at Amberley
On Sunday, 2nd April 2023, and in a rare window of dry and pleasant spring weather, the Master and Consort, Paul and Sue Nash, led a visit to our Plumbing Museum and Workshop Trust, located at the splendid Amberley Museum.
The programme of events started with welcome refreshments in the Hay Loft, which was then followed by two very important tributes:
The first was the unveiling of a memorial planter dedicated to the memory of Philip Mead, marking his outstanding contribution to the Plumbing Museum:
The second, was the presentation of a cast lead statue to Edward Hopkinson in recognition of his long service as a Trustee and Chairman of the Plumbing Museum and Workshop Trust.
The assembled company then spent a most interesting morning at Workshop in the “Gin” (short for “Engine”, not alcohol!) Building, where everyone was given a demonstration of historical lead casting techniques, as well as informative displays of plumbing, and water and waste management.
Members of the group were then given the opportunity to try their hand at the ancient art of lead casting. Step forward Senior Steward Malvern Tipping, who produced a copy of his personal Coat of Arms granted to him by the College of Arms, to keep for posterity and as a great souvenir of the day:
The lead working demonstration was then followed by a wider tour of Amberley Museum which, on this occasion, included a most excellent display of vintage motor cars:
The group then headed back for a light buffet luncheon of sandwiches, sausage rolls, and pastries, once again at the Hay Loft, and to hear a few words from the Master.
The remainder of the afternoon was spent at leisure, further exploring Amberley Museum. Members had the chance to ride on the narrow-gauge railway, and also to take a vintage Southdown double-decker bus that provided an enjoyable way to cover the ground between further exhibitions of rural building crafts, the telecommunications museum, the electricity museum, and the museum dedicated to brick making and pottery. With such a wealth of subject matter Amberley really is an Aladdin’s Cave of interest.
The day concluded, as every day of this kind should, with afternoon cream teas and a fine selection of cakes, before the group headed home:
Read more about the Plumbing Museum and Workshop Trust at Amberley Museum.
Gary Lester
Steward