PLEASE NOTE IMPORTANT CHANGES

Please note that it is my intention to close this blog in the near future and concentrate on the Museum's new web site which can be found at;
www.MuseumOfTheMasterSaddler.com

Also note the slightly altered title of the web site, (no THE at the beginning)
This blog gave me the experience to write, design and publish a site on the web and it is my intention now to build the new web site into an interesting and informative site.

The blog written by my horse Mr. Tibbs,
www.HorseCalledMrTibbs.blogspot.com will remain unchanged and will be updated at more regular intervals, or so he tells me !!!

EXCITING NEW DEVELOPMENTS FOR THE MUSEUM

Exciting new developments are taking place for the museum with the creation of a brand new web site, its own publishing company and a regular Newsletter. Visit the new web site on www.MuseumOfTheMasterSaddler.com

where you will find all the news, books, equestrian art and a whole lot more.

The museum has also registered its own publishing company through which it will market its own books written by its joint curator, Robert H Steinke. Its first publication, Farm Harness Decoration, is well under way and should be out in August this year. Another title, The Victorian Saddler,is planned for the end of the year.

For those of you who would like to be kept up to date with the latest exhibits, news and events regarding the museum, please log onto the site and sign up on the Contact Us page.

This blog will not be affected as it will continue to take you through a virtual tour of the museum's exhibits.

TOUR OF THE MUSEUM PART 14 Launch of Program for Heritage Week 2009

OPEN WEEKEND 29 & 30 AUGUST 2009

The Museum of the Master Saddler has recently unveiled its program for this years European Heritage Week. This years theme at the museum is “Harness Horse Decoration” which will host the official opening of the museum’s latest collection of exhibits in addition to the launch of the latest book by its curator Robert H Steinke which is based on this theme. Included in the new collection will be horse amulets from Roman and Medieval times, the forerunners of what we today recognise as horse brasses. Brasses and martingales range from the antique brasses of the mid 1800’s and early 1900’s, the heyday of their use, up to the collectible designs of today. A special section will document saddlers and harness makers whose names were often engraved on brass hinged noseband pieces, pad ornaments, drop pieces and metal buckle loops.

Rob and Moira will incorporate several of their animals into the weekends activity Their two miniature ponies, Rocky and Rambo, will be seen in their red trimmed tandem trade harness, while the latest addition to the stables, Sambooka, will come out of retirement to act as a mature model. The star of the show could well be Mr. Tibbs, their part Clydesdale cob who will no doubt be adorned with an array of highly decorated farm harness. To compliment the collection of working harness, the museum has on display a varied assortment of farm implements lovingly restored and repainted. Apart from the Open Weekend the museum is open at other times by appointment, please contact Rob and Moira to book a tour.