Ready for the new season at Fairlynch

Budleigh Salterton's Fairlynch Museum now has a smart new roof, the re-thatching project having been completed by Sidmouth-based craftsman Master Thatcher Mark Smith and his team.

The £30,000 cost was met by generous donations and grants, including £12,000 from Devon County Council and £5,000 from East Devon District Council.

The museum celebrated its 40th birthday three years ago, being founded by Budleigh residents Priscilla Hull and Joy Gawne in 1967. Recalling how the idea for a museum came about, Priscilla said; "Budleigh did not have a museum at the time and I was keen that there should be a place where the community could preserve its history and create exhibitions of interest for the public. Fairlynch was on the market at the time and we were able to acquire it and do it up with the help of volunteers."














Above: Thatching in the winter is snow fun
Fairlynch is one of the architectural landmarks of Budleigh. The house was built in 1811 by Matthew Yeates, a local ship owner. The thatched turret was added later so he could see ships coming into the bay.

The museum now has a full gas-fired central heating system, replacing an inadequate electrical supply. "There will be a significant improvement in the protection of exhibits and help in keeping the damp at bay," says Fairlynch Treasurer Jim Milverton. "This project will cost about £13,000 which it is hoped will be provided by the Museum Endowment Fund.

Exhibits for the 2010 season, which begins on Easter Saturday, 3 April, include a Victorian Nursery, dolls' houses and toys of all kinds with the theme "200 Years of Childhood." The museum will be open as usual from Sunday to Friday, from 2.00 - 4.30 pm.

The AGM of the Friends of Fairlynch will be held on 15 March in the Peter Hall, Budleigh Salterton, at 7.00 pm. The speaker will be Professor Chris Tilley, who will give an illustrated update on the local pebblebeds.

For further information about Fairlynch Museum see http://www.devonmuseums.net/fairlynch

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