Avoncroft - it's a master of the past

Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings has opened is doors for the 2006 season after a busy winter period which saw several buildings revamped.

The site has a range of historic buildings spanning seven centuries, rescued and rebuilt. Vital repairs to the flagship Danzey Green windmill have been implemented. This means the main staircase is now safe for visitors to use and will once again allow access to the internal structure of the mill. One of the stocks has now been put back in place and, weather permitting, two of the sails were due to go back up.

The museum now needs to raise £20,000 in order for two new sails to be made.

The ticket office has now moved to the shop, which has also had a facelift with new fixtures and fittings.

Museum volunteers have scraped, painted, stitched and scrubbed the 1940s prefab and even the earth closet has been given a new coat of paint. The museum also currently has an exhibition of rag rugs from Ragberry Designs, in Worcester, in its Long Room, all of which are handmade.

Avoncroft Museum opened in 1967 and has since become one of Britain's best known open-air museums. It now has more than 20 historic building exhibits, as well as other activities and areas of interest, such as a model steam railway, the national phone box collection and a wildflower meadow.

Avoncroft was founded in 1964 following an unsuccessful attempt to prevent the destruction of a listed historic house in Bromsgrove. At the last minute, the timbers of this Tudor dwelling were rescued and stored. This building, the Merchant's House, became the first exhibit to be restored and reconstructed at the site in Stoke Heath.

The aims of the museum focus on the rescue of historic buildings from destruction and on an education programme to let visitors learn why these buildings are important and how they were used in the past. To find out even more about the museum and seasonal events go to its website on www.avoncroft.org.uk

By Sarah Mawhinney