Arundel, Amberley Museum

Amberley Working Museum, near Storrington and Worthing in West Sussex aims to display varied exhibits detailing some of the South East of England's industrial heritage. It is a registered charity. The museum currently seems to be in a transitional period between good, and unsatisfactory.

Some exhibits are very well executed, in presentation and content, such as the EDF electricity hall, Wheelwright's shop, BT connected earth hall, Wheelwright's shop and the Pavior's Hall of roadmaking. Other exhibits which are satisfactory include the narrow gauge railway exhibitions, Southdown bus garages, Radio and T.V. museum and 1920's motor garage.

On the other hand, unfortunately many of exhibits are currently undergoing restoration, or are a long term restoration project, basically meaning the museum is currently not using them to their full potential. Many exhibits which have the potential I speak of include the firestation, brickworks (both closed at the time of my visit - 28.08.2008), and the quarry tunnel (as that area was used extensively in the 1985 James Bond film 'A View To A Kill - so should be developed into a large exhibition on that topic).

I personally feel that the museum should shut off the particularly untidy 'attractions' to the visiting public, as, quite simply, they are in no fit state to be viewed. This list has the misfortune to be excessively long, but includes all the kilns, especially the DeWitt area, the Brewery, the pottery and brickworks and most, if not all the 'Tools and Trades' exhibits in the centre of the museum site (please see: http://www.amberleymuseum.co.uk/aboutamberley/2007guidesheet.pdf - thank you).

A particular disgrace is the way old bits of railway track and rolling stock has quite simply been left to rot between the timberyard and the DeWitt kilns/ concrete museum areas. In fact I noted when I visited the museum that this area is being taken over ferociously by nature and her wildlife, i.e. birds are nesting in the old railway trucks there!

But really, that is not a humorous matter - scenes like I have described only put people off from visiting, and stop those who have been brave and visited from returning. The museum could do with closing for twelve to eighteen months for a complete and utter refurbishment, during which period displays are repositioned, revamped, and represented, to a far more acceptable standard.

However, during this time the museum, which of course, we cannot forget is just a charity, will loose valuable revenue gained from the visitors, though some of the work which desperately needs completing (and in some cases, starting) could not possibly be done due to health and safety regulations while there are members of the public on site.

Sadly, this becomes an on-going downwards spiral for the museum, which I feel does have tremendous potential, only obtainable after a large financial injection and a years closure for redevelopment. I do plead on behalf of the museum, for someone very wealthy, with a passion for our industrial heritage, to approach the museum to offer their financial and managerial assistance, although, with the current 'Credit Crunch' situation this is unlikely to materialise.

Although I have been truthful, if not a little harsh in my review, Amberley is just about worthwhile to visit, as long as you are selective when choosing what exhibits to see. My advice would basically be to stick to the exhibits on the outskirts of the museum site, as these are generally in a better order than those in the centre. The family admission is an acceptable £26.50 in today's financial world.

Remember there is also their 'Limeburners Restaurant' worthwhile to visit for a lunch or afternoon snack, I do believe this is where recent funds have been directed.

http://www.amberleymuseum.co.uk/

Their website (above) is actually very impressive, it is a shame that the effort that has gone into that has not been spread around the actual museum. A shame, as it's great potential is, quite simply, being wasted.