Events and Exhibitions
Events 2010
Busy Bank Holiday Weekend Planned 27 - 30 August
The museum is all set for a bumper weekend over August Bank Holiday. As well as the museum 
being open Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 10:00 – 17:00, we will also have a stall down at the Poynton Show and will be awarding the Les Cawley Memorial Trophy to a lucky exhibitor in the Vintage Machinery Section.
Les Cawley was one of the founders of the museum. Very sadly, he died in July 2002, but his memory and love for the Poynton Show lives on with his Memorial Trophy. “Les never missed the Poynton Show, it was one of the highlights of his year” said Geoff Challinor, co-founder of the museum. He added “Some years when the weather was bad he helped to tow vehicles off the ground with his tractor and winch, and in the hot years he could be found eating ice cream. Let’s hope this one is an ice cream year.”
Visitors to the museum over the Bank Holiday weekend will be treated to a tour of the many engines they have on display with a great many of them running. They will also be able to view the progress on the scale model of Poynton as it looked c1900. Everyone is fascinated with the detail of the model (75” to the mile) and the volunteers have already spent over 3,400 hours getting everything perfect - see the gravedigger in the churchyard below!
On Bank Holiday Monday the Rural Craft Centre at the museum will also be open with demonstrations of forging and bodging. The blacksmiths shop has an anvil, forge, furnace and various tools. At the bodging shed you can see wooden spoons being turned or even children’s chairs being made. Visitors are enthralled watching these traditional crafts demonstrated and explained. After Bank Holiday Monday, future dates for craft demonstrations this season are:- Sunday 26th September, Saturday 30th October; Sunday 31st October.
There is a great deal to see at the museum making it a great day out for all the family. There is a small tea room at the museum but visitors are welcome to bring a picnic and make a day of it.
There is no additional fee to visit the Craft Centre or Poynton History Exhibition, normal museum admission charges apply.
Giant model of Poynton proves a huge hit with visitor Weekends 
Progress continues on the giant model showing how Poynton looked c1900. The volunteers have spent over 3,200 hours getting the detail just right. Come along and talk to the volunteers who have built it.
Demonstration of rural crafts Monthly 
Our Craft Centre has volunteers working at the forge and on wood turning machinery (bodging) demonstrating their skills and explaining these ancient crafts.
Dates proposed:-
Monday 30th August; Sunday 26th September;
Saturday 30th October; Sunday 31st October (Closing Weekend)
“Turn the Clocks Back” closing weekend 30th/31st October
EVENTS COMPLETED 2010
Opening of the season, Easter Sunday and Monday 4th / 5th April
The 2010 season gets off to a flying start on Easter Sunday and Monday.
Come along and see the many changes that have been put in place over the winter months. Then open 10:00 – 17:00 every Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Bank Holidays.
Demonstrations of old crafts Monthly
Bodging (the traditional craft of working with green-wood using portable tools including a pole-lathe to turn chair legs, etc) while another volunteer, will be working at the forge. You can help pump the bellows if you are feeling strong.
Dates proposed:-
Sunday 4th April (Opening); Monday 5th April; Monday 3rd May; Saturday 15th May; Monday 31st May;
Museums at Night Open until 20:00 15th May
The museum will once again be taking part in this International movemement by opening late. Many engines running with talks on how they work and engine development through the years. The scale model of Poynton c1900 showing all the collieries of the time will also be available to view.
Normal opening hours 10:00 - 17:00 then staying open until 20:00.
Fathers Day 20th June
A special offer to celebrate Fathers Day - bring your dad or granddad along today and they will get in free. Yes, families who want a great value day out can make the most of day by escorting their male relatives along to the museum..... and remember, children under 12 receive free admission.
If you want to join Geoff and the volunteers on Sunday June 21st, pop along between 10:00 - 17:00 to see the largest collection of engines in Europe.
To add to the atmosphere that day engines will be running; there is a special Fathers Day Fun Sheet and remember, if you bring your dad along that day - he gets in free! The shop has a range of unusual gifts and hand made cards to make all dads and grandads feel extra special. If you want to buy online click here. If you would like to make you dad a card or present look here for ideas.
The Craft Centre (with exhibitions of bodging and blacksmith work on the forge) will be operational that day and the giant model of Poynton, c1900s, is available to view.
Midsummer Mingle 24th June
Celebrate Midsummer’s Day and mingle with old engineering colleagues. The museum will be open from midday but most people will arrive for the barbeque around 6pm.
Normal museum entry applies but includes a tasty Norbury Farm hotdog.
Museum open from 13:00 until 20:00.
1000 Engine Rally, Astle Park, Chelford 26th & 27th June
The annual rally takes place over the weekend, this will be the 26th anniversary of this rally.
The museum will have a stall at the rally field and will also be opening late on the Saturday evening to allow exhibitors to come over for their annual visit to the museum. There are 3 coaches booked to ferry people over from Chelford. If you would like to book a ticket for the bus please click here.
For more details about the weekend and all the things there are to see and do click here
To buy tickets for the coach trip from the rally field to the museum on the Saturday night click here
