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Sunday 11th September 2005 dawned fine and sunny. The Museum opened at 10.00am and there was already a lengthy queue of expectant adults and children waiting to gain entry. The crowds arrived early, so early that by 10.30am the normal parking provision adjacent to Amberley Station was full. Overflow parking was opened up in the farmers' fields next to the River Arun, which overlooked the beautiful Arun Valley across to Arundel Castle.
It was the Paviors' annual Family Day-out at Amberley Working Museum, West Sussex together with the celebration event of 90 years of Southdown Buses. There were historic buses arriving from all over the County and beyond. During the day, almost all provided free rides and information on the buses and memories of days gone by.
Some 25 Paviors and their families attended the event, and with the children, the presence of the buses and the rides made a positive contribution to a very enjoyable day's visit. It was however disappointing that only 8 Paviors were able to support and enjoy such a spectacular and enjoyable free day out, with their families, meeting other Paviors and their families, and supporting the work of the Paviors' Roadmakers' Museum. But to counter that, we were delighted that our Master, John Carpenter was able to attend the day. His support was much appreciated by Paviors and the Trustees of the Museum alike.
The day remained fine and allowed everyone to walk the chalk pits and see the craft exhibitions and the permanent displays. The BT Museum building showing the history of communications was extremely popular, a new Railway Hall opened two years ago by Prince Michael of Kent was also well visited. The relocation of the Fairmile Café, the construction of a Southdown Bus Garage next to the Roadmakers' Museum, and the new Limeburners' Cafeteria and Education Centre which provided welcome food, drinks and shelter for most people during the visit, were also very well supported. The new Storrington Fire station was under construction. There were stalls selling model buses, books, pictures and T-shirts, craftsmen and women demonstrating their skills, and at 3.00pm a presentation to the Regional Director of Stagecoach commemorating the 90th Anniversary of the Southdown Bus Company.
At about 4.00pm, tea and biscuits were provided for the Paviors and their families in the Education Centre. It was a pleasure to have Graham Toole-Mackson, Chairman of the Trustees and his wife, Clare, attend. Graham gave a few words of welcome and outlined some of the work of the Museum and its future plans. The Company's thanks for the day and the kind hospitality shown, for allowing Paviors and their families to enjoy such an excellent day out, and for making the arrangements for the Paviors, particularly on one of their busiest weekends of the year, were given by the Master to the Trust, to Howard Stenning, Director, and Claire Seymour, Curator. The Master also thanked the Paviors and their families who supported the Company and the Museum, and received an enjoyable and informative day in return. As a result, the Liverymens Committee will be arranging another Paviors Family Day-out next year.
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