Prince Charles visiting the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum in November 2010. Pictures: Louise Adam
sPrince Charles visiting the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum in November 2010. Pictures: Louise Adam
s
Prince Charles visiting the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum in November 2010. Pictures: Louise Adam s

When Prince Charles gave Weald and Downland Living Museum royal seal of approval

The Weald and Downland Open Air Museum welcomed the Prince of Wales in November 2010 on a visit to help mark its 40th anniversary. The visit was a fitting finale to a very successful and celebratory year. Prince Charles spent a good two hours at the site, which encompasses many of his own personal interests, including rural crafts and conservation. Horseman Mark Buxton was already well-acquainted with the prince, having been head horseman for the Royal Parks in Richmond.

Outside Titchfield Hall, the prince was greeted by pupils from Singleton Primary School dressed in Victorian costume and waving Union Flags. He sat in on an apothecary workshop in Poplar Cottage and spoke to some of the children, who impressed him by remembering all the ingredients. Having walked in the wind and cold, the prince had a welcome stop into the warmth of the working Tudor kitchen, where he watched a candlelit cooking workshop with schoolchildren. After seeing the newly-rethatched Treadwheel building, he was taken to the award-winning Gridshell, where he spoke to members of the National Society of Master Thatchers.