Treasure trove of memories in Market Lavington

The museum at 20 Church Street is in the old Schoolmaster’s Cottage next to the churchyard. It is open on Saturday, Sunday and Wednesdays and Bank Holidays from 2.30pm to 4.30pm.

Trustee Mike Allen said: “The tour begins in the entrance room. We think of this room as housing the ‘Treasures of Market Lavington’. But don’t take treasures to mean cash value. Our treasures are all donated and each item tells us something about the history of the parish.

“One of the first things you’ll see is a large clock motor which was originally in the Workman’s Hall which was built in 1865. It has, to quote a clock expert ‘suffered catastrophic damage.

“It may never work again but we can conjure up thoughts and tales about the Saunders family – fiercely non-conformist in many ways.”

The next room is the kitchen where there is a table with a huge bread crock under it, standing on the brick floor.

On the left are items associated with wash day. There is a mangle, galvanised baths and an old posser for beating clothes in a dolly tub.

It is then on to the trades room where the villages craftsmen and women are remembered. Among them are the Gye family who in the 19th century were carpenters and wheelwrights. In the twentieth century they added blacksmithing and farriery which they offered at their White Street premises.

This set them in competition with the Merritt family who had a smithy at Broadwell.

Ken Mundy was the last shoe maker and cobbler in the village. He had premises on High Street.

On the way upstairs visitors will see numerous enamel and wooden signs as well as glass from long closed pubs.

Market Lavington has had a band since the 1880s and on display are instruments and other memorabilia.

The museum has an archive of around 1,000 photographs and it is possible to visit outside of openings hours by contacting the curator on avingtoncurator@gmail.com Entrance is free donations are welcome.