About the Museum • Our Friends

Hilary Williams

Hilary is Head Curator of the wonderful Ditchling Museum. I've known her for many years and when I thought to start this project, she was one of the first people I contacted. Since Feb 2008 we have met several times to discuss the running of a small museum and to brain-storm ideas. It was Hilary who suggested I took to the road in 2009 with a mini museum to publicise the project. I suspect she might be a treasure.

www.ditchling-museum.com

Doc Rowe

I first heard mention of Doc when I went to see the Folk Archive exhibition at the Barbican some years ago. Then early in 2008 I heard him being interviewed on the radio and decided it would be a very good idea to get in touch. Since then I've been fortunate to meet up several times in London and at various events. The Doc has been a firm supporter of the project and a mine of information. Most of the images used on this site are from his archive which is totally unique and deserves much support in itself.

The Museum would like to thank Doc Rowe for his kind permission to use these images.

www.docrowe.org.uk

Tebussum Rashid

I met with Tebussum through my local council and if ever there was a Guardian Angel for this project, Tebussum is she. She has patiently held my hand while we poured over many of the policies needed for the establishment of the museum and guided me as to the best and most efficient way to run it. Without her ongoing support this project will probably never happen and I'm deeply indebted to her.

Graham King

Graham is the Director of the Museum of Witchcraft in Boscastle. I first met Graham shortly after the terrible flash flood which hit the village in 2004. Horrified at the damage inflicted on the museum, I was able to negotiate, through a friend, to have some vintage display cases donated to replace the smashed ones. Graham and I have since become good friends and he has offered some sage advice on museum practise and some pit falls to avoid. He has also kindly loaned some objects from the museum's collection for my tour and these will be on display in the caravan.

The Museum of Witchcraft

Jonny Hannah

My friend Graham Ward introduced me to the wonderful artwork of Jonny Hannah and so I approached him to see if he might be interested in designing the graphic for the Museum's identity. Jonny's work seemed to be a perfect match for the quirky nature of the project. He has now kindly agreed to produce a limited edition poster for the museum tour which will go on sale at the launch event and will be taken with me as I tour the UK throughout 2009.

Cakes and Ales Press

Marti Dean

Marti and I go back a horribly long way. We first met in the late 80's when studying Silversmithing at university he did a work placement with me. We had a shared interest in Ancient History, Witchcraft, Folklore and British Folk Culture. In 1994 we visited the Hastings Jack in the Green Festival for the first time. Up until that point I had only ever been an observer of folk events but to be able to take part was incredibly life affirming. Both Marti and I have been taking part ever since. Marti now lives in Hastings, he is involved with local Morris sides and is on the Jack in the Green committee. Last year he was given the honour of designing and making a new face for the Jack and a copy of this will be on view in the caravan for people all over the country to see. An award winning Silversmith, Marti currently lectures at Hastings College. Last year I asked him if he would be the Secretary for the museum project and he agreed.