Sunday 20th May
Sunday 3rd June
Wednesday 6th June
Amberley Museum Visits St Mary’s CE First School, Washington In Foden Steam Wagon
The children of St Mary’s CE First School in Washington, West Sussex were treated to a visit from Amberley Museum and Heritage Centre in a 1928 Foden Steam Wagon to see first hand how steam power works.
As Willow Class is currently studying transport the school approached Amberley Museum to see if they would consider visiting in a steam vehicle. The Museum Marketing Manager, Kate Russell, agreed to steam up her own engine and together with her husband, Gerald, they drove the vehicle across from Rudgwick, near Horsham to St Mary’s CE First School in Washington. Kate comments: “I thoroughly enjoyed sharing the experience of steam with the children. It brought history to life for them as they could actually smell it. I was asked lots of interesting questions, some of which proved to be a bit tricky!”
Under careful supervision the children were able to get up close to the vehicle to see just how big it was, especially when compared to a modern car! Some of the children were able to measure themselves against the wheels. The front smoke box door was opened to reveal all the boiler tubes and the children were quick to recognise different shapes, patterns and designs.
The Museum will be open every Tuesday – Sunday, including Bank Holiday Mondays throughout the season. Situated within the heart of the South Downs National Park in 36 acres of chalk quarry the Museum boasts a range of exhibits including a vintage bus service and narrow gauge railway, electricity hall, traditional rural craftspeople plus much more.
