Brighton Toy and Model Museum

ModelWorld 2012: Setting up

2012-02-23T15:22:00.001-08:00

We were at the Brighton Centre today, setting up the stand area at ModelWorld 2012 that we'll be sharing with the 4BEL Trust.
As well as the full-size Pullman backdrop (scale: 12 inches to the foot), we were also assembling a set of original Pullman Art Nouveau-ish wooden marquetry panels, with an accompanying table, cutlery and crockery, and a very comfy-looking Pullman chair. Unfortunately, it's very valuable, so nobody's allowed to sit on it.
Representing a collection like the Museum's is somewhat difficult, so this year, we're also bringing along a model of the entire Museum, inside and out, rendered in Lego. The next time that someone visiting the stand asks us to describe what the Museum is like, we'll be able to make a futile spluttering sound and some shruggy gestures, and wave them towards the model.
Of course, if you want to judge how accurate the model is, you'll have to also come and see the real Museum...

Merry Christmas ...

2011-12-25T22:19:00.000-08:00

The front of the Gauge 0 railway layout, Arch Three

... and a Happy New Year!

Arches, arches, arches ...

2011-12-21T09:00:00.000-08:00

The new-look forward entrance to Arch Three

We've just built a new archway! Or at least, we've built a new "artistic" faux-stone cladding for one side of the forward archway entrance to Arch Three. And yes, the smattering of green mould is hand-painted.

The new arch facade under construction

We also have some Cunning Plans for another part of the Museum, but we aren't allowed to talk about them yet...

Another display case ...

2011-11-25T15:11:00.000-08:00

A custom cabinet under construction in one of the Museum worshops

More behind-the-scenes building work. Having spotted a gap where (after some building maintenance), we could squeeze another very narrow cabinet into the Museum, it's time for some more custom-fitted cabinetry. Notice the 30-degree angle on the sides.

The new cabinet will appear in Arch Three in early December, housing the collection of cast iron locomotive models that used to be in Arch Two (before being displaced by the Budgie collection) .

Hornby rotating sign

2011-10-20T14:06:00.000-07:00

Pentagonal Hornby illuminated shop sign

One of the rarer pieces in the Hornby Wall is a slightly Art Deco-ish 1950's five-sided Hornby Dublo rotating sign. The combination of faded grey-blue curves and chrome trim is slightly reminiscent of the styling on a 1950's refrigerator.

As part of our plans to try to increase the number of interactive items, we've now wired the display up to some modern energy-saving electronics that are triggered by a pushbutton on the right of the cabinet, and now it lights up in 1950's rainbow pastels and rotates a couple of times when the button's pushed. This is surprisingly fun.

"Hornby Wall" display

2011-09-14T13:37:00.000-07:00

Regular visitors will have noticed that for the past few months we've been steadily working on the "Hornby Wall" cabinets at the very end of the Museum's Arch Four, working and reworking the contents (and squeezing in more and more pieces each time) to create the best possible display of classic Hornby items from the 1920s and 1930s up to the introduction of Hornby Dublo.

The pieces are grouped from left to right in date order, so the wall efffectively gives an overview of the early evolution of Hornby.

We haven't yet done a final count of even the approximate number of items in the Hornby Wall, but we think that the overall effect is now slightly staggering, even for visitors who aren't dedicated Hornby enthusiasts.

New "Level Crossing" gates

2011-08-31T15:32:00.000-07:00

Our new gates

There used to be a simple chain separating the public area in Arch One from the "off-limits" section by the entrances to the two Museum workshops. This week, we've installed a pair of swing-gates.

We didn't want boring old normal gates, and someone suggested designing them to look like the gates on a railway level crossing, to go with the "station" theme of the Museum Shop area. So that's what we did. And they're cool.

Now open on Mondays! (for a couple of months)

2011-07-25T10:00:00.000-07:00

The museum's normal opening times are Tuesday to Saturday (opening one hour later on Saturdays), but for the next two months, starting today (Monday 25th July 2011), we're trialling the idea of also being open on Mondays (10am-5pm).

So that's now Monday-to-Saturday, until the end of September. If Mondays are especially convenient for you, mark your diary.

1840's carriages, restoration work

2011-07-01T18:27:00.000-07:00

two of the six restored pieces

The Museum Director, Chris Littledale, has just finished a period of restoration work on a collection of six very special 5"-scale carriages and pieces of rolling-stock that were originally built back in the 1840's, for their owner, The Steam Museum in County Kildare: http://www.steam-museum.ie/

The carriages left Chris' museum workshop today.

New Cabinet on Puppet Corner

2011-06-27T02:48:00.000-07:00

An early snap of some work currently underway.

This project involves taking out one of the cabinets in Puppet Corner and replacing it with a new cabinet tailored to show off some new exhibits.

E.T.A. August 2011.

New "Lead Figures" cabinet

2011-06-12T00:13:00.000-07:00

Lead Cowboys and Indians

The mysterious blanked-off cabinet next to the O-gauge "starter button" in Arch Three finally got unveiled last month.

A few of the lead Disney figures

It's a collection of English lead toys including four shelves of miscellaneous Cowboys and Indians, Bill and Ben the Flowerpot Men (including their pots and Little Weed), and another four shelves of classic cartoon and children's show characters (mostly by Disney) including Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto, Peter Pan and Captain Hook, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Peter Rabbit, Andy Pandy, Little Ted and Looby Lou, Clara the Cow, and the Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf.

Trams and tracks

2011-05-20T09:00:00.000-07:00

The tramway backdrop under construction

A lot of work goes into Museum display presentation. Putting an item on display isn't just a matter of putting something in a display cabinet, it's also about providing a surrounding visual context.

So, for the new tram display, we didn't just build a shelf for the piece and set up an overhead wire and street supports, we also sourced a contemporary tram scene for background, and built a strip of proper tramway track set into a section of stone roadway that was hand-assembled from individual flagsstones.

This obviously takes more time than simply putting an item on a shelf with a label, but we think that the results are worth it.

New tram display

2011-05-11T06:28:00.000-07:00

"Bristol Tramways" tram

A new tram model has just gone on display, in Arch Four.

It's a Bristol Electric tram. The model is one of a pair, Bristol Museum have the other one.

Oliver Cromwell is coming

2011-05-04T05:12:00.000-07:00

Stand under construction

We put in the last newletter that the Oliver Cromwell steam engine had arrived (all six feet of it). For the uninitiated, this a big green Britannia Class 7, 4-6-2, one-twelfth-scale steam engine and tender.

Well, it's still not quite on display yet. An item this large (and this heavy) needs a special display stand, and it's taken a while to finalise the design and sort out a few minor issues (like making some replacement parts for the track). The plinth is now pretty much built and painted, and just really needs the frame and glassing, so hopefully it shouldn't take too much longer.

Steamroller moved to Foyer

2011-03-11T05:08:00.000-08:00

Our quarter-scale model steamroller (the "Sir Granville") was looking a little unhappy sitting on the floor under Arches 2-3, so we've now given it a clean and put it on a new trundleable plinth in Arch One. It's now easier to see, and is nearer to its "traction engine" cousin.

The Brighton Belle at Modelworld 2011

2011-02-20T21:17:00.000-08:00

The Modelworld 2011 Exhibition at the Brighton Centre's just come to an end.

The full-size Pullman "Brighton Belle" carriage display, on stand 34 of Modelworld 2011

The 5BEL Trust ("Bringing Back the Brighton Belle") were on stand 34, and they also had one of the actual Brighton Belle carriages parked outside on a trailer. The weather was a bit drab, but thanks to the Brighton Half Marathon, about five and a half thousand people trotted past it on Sunday morning.

The Brighton Belle's Car 88, parked outside the Brighton Centre, 20th Feb 2011

The exhibition also featured Daleks, a Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car, a lot of model trains, an awe-inspiring Lego aircraft carrier, and a Very Very Large scale steam locomotive (the Green Goddess) that was over twenty-seven and a half feet long including the tender, and weighed over eight tons.

Latest Homes Magazine

2011-02-09T09:00:00.000-08:00

www.buildingopinions.com

Robert Nemeth's "Building Opinions" column in Latest Homes Magazine has an article on the museum this week (8-14 Feb issue, page 7).
The article is also online on the magazine's site, at thelatest.co.uk/homes/building-opinions-62 , and the column is archived at www.buildingopinions.com

Circus Toys, updated

2011-01-22T09:00:00.000-08:00

A closeup of part of the new "Circus" cabinet

The "circus toys" display has been expanded, moved, reorganised and given the honour of its very own stand-alone glass cabinet.

The extra room means that more little circus folk and animals have been able to come out of storage to play!

Edwardian Wooden Shop

2011-01-20T09:00:00.000-08:00

Edwardian wooden shop set

One of our favourite new exhibits is an inlaid wooden Edwardian shop counter dating from around ~1910.

It includes a fixed wooden base with tile-effect flooring, the wooden counter and the surrounding wall of cubbyholes, drawers and cabinets, and it comes with a huge range of of little accessory items and shop fittings. There's foil-packed tea and grocery items in paper parcels, and glass and ceramic jars, cloth-covered pots, and bottles and tins and cardboard packs. There's even a wooden barrel and a range of assorted meats and a shop clock. Just about anything you can think of that might have been in a general store is there.

It's a very nice piece. Many of the shop's accessories seem to come from other sources and date a little later than the main shop body, as the owner collected more items to go with their shop. But in a way that's authentic, as real shops tend to be older than the items that they sell.

Triang Minic Ships display

2011-01-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

Triang (Minic) ships display, Brighton Toy and Model Museum

After being "rested" for about a year, the display of Triang Minic ships has now been lovingly cleaned and reassembled, and put back on display.

Triang (Minic) ships, retail box

Budgie Toys cabinet

2010-12-25T09:00:00.000-08:00

The museum now has a new display cabinet of "Budgie Toys" cars and trucks.

It's just to the right as you enter the museum section, before the Dinky Toys.

Games Workshop stock

2010-12-18T09:00:00.000-08:00

The museum shop is now selling a range of Games Workshop products, including Lord of the Rings kits and Warhammer wargaming modelling sets. Included in the range are kits for producing scenery (specifically "flock" grass), that may also be useful to model rail enthusiasts.

Hornby now in Stock!

2010-12-11T09:00:00.000-08:00

The Hornby "Night Mail" train set

The museum shop has been selling a fair amount of pre-owned Hornby items on commission, so we thought that it was time to supplement this with new Hornby stock. We now have a range of Hornby items, including starter sets that come with their own printed mat (so that your model layout can be slid safely under a bed when not in use!).

Label Printer!

2010-11-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

Come see (and use) the Museum's most recent exhibit! It's a 1920s Label Printer, which would have been found in amusement arcades and on seafront piers.

The machine makes stamped metal tags, the cost is 20p for a short tag, multiples of 20p for longer text.

Brighton Street Party, 7-9pm

2010-09-23T06:21:00.000-07:00

Thursday September 23, 2010

Join us in Trafalgar Street under the bridge at Brighton Station to witness the celebrity unveiling of the stunning Pullman Wall Mural and the Glamour of Brighton exhibition within the entrance area of the Brighton Toy and Model Museum.

This event is hosted by the Brighton Toy and Model Museum and the 5BEL Trust.

Chris Littledale's design for the mural (above)

There will be LIVE special sound effects< for all forms of transport and more besides...

Museum Director Chris Littledale performing his Sound Effects Show

The Brighton Toy and Model Museum and the 5BEL Trust are celebrating the eagerly anticipated return of a much loved Brighton icon – the world’s only all electric Pullman train – the elegant Art Deco style Brighton Belle. The 5BEL Trust’s £1 million restoration by professional railway engineers is to ensure the train’s return, in Olympic year 2012, to the mainline on the 80th anniversary of its construction.

The dramatic near life size Mural depicts the train drawn up at a platform in Brighton Station. The windows of the Pullman come alive with contemporary figures from the train’s heyday.

Closeups of the mural panels (above and below)

Within the Museum, the new Glamour of Brighton exhibition depicts Brighton’s history through to the present, featuring a series of spectacular exhibits from the Museum collections.

The base of the exhibition display has a 3D relief of the Victorian cast iron Brighton Seafront Railings and those organisations, whose generosity with money and “in kind” help has facilitated these “public benefit projects”, are being acknowledged with placards hanging from the handrail (click to visit our Sponsors Page).

Museum Improvements and Upgrades

2010-09-21T09:00:00.000-07:00

A rare Hornby lantern

Major renovations over the past year at the internationally renowned Museum include new showcases, spectacular new exhibits and new world class “green” energy efficient museum display lighting. The photos below show some of the recent improvements including the Brunel bridge and new displays.

What will be on display in the new cases???

The new Brunel bridge

The new model plane display

Looking through the arches

One of the beautiful new display cabinets

The top arch

We hope you'll come to the museum soon and see the improvements for yourself!!!

TRAIN RUNNING EVENT - 'RACE TO THE NORTH' SATURDAY NOV. 14, 2009

2010-09-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

Layouts running 11 am - 1:00 pm and 2:00 -4:00 pm
Join us here at the Museum to see '0' and '00' gauge trains from all eras; from the pre-grouping of independent companies through to the glorious streamliner era of the 1930's to today's high speed electric trains.

Normal museum admission prices apply

Admission includes entry to the Museum

This event is being run in collaboration with The Train Collectors Society

"Train running" evening

2010-05-14T06:24:00.000-07:00

BIG CHANGES UNDERFOOT AT THE MUSEUM

2010-03-11T09:00:00.000-08:00

It's been a truly exciting time at the Museum and major changes have been taking place over the last several months. A six month work development programme kicked off in October 2009 and improvements include the installation of new showcases, upgraded lighting, better signage and even the creation of a much-needed Resource Room!

The Museum is hard at work setting up new displays and incorporating newly acquired exhibits into its
splendid collections. There are new Trustees, Sponsors and Volunteers on board and it's never been a better time to join us.

Read all the details in our 20-page Winter Newsletter

Click here to download the pdf from our friends at www.wessexnetworks.com.

MYSTIC CREEPING SNAILS???

2010-03-09T09:00:00.000-08:00

WINTER NEWSLETTER AVAILABLE - MARCH 2010

2010-03-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

Get up to date with our colourful new 20-page (!!!) WINTER NEWSLETTER! (pdf document)

JANUARY SALE

2010-01-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

TRAIN RUNNING EVENT - 'RACE TO THE NORTH', SATURDAY NOV. 14, 2009

2009-11-14T09:00:00.000-08:00

Normal museum admission prices apply Admission includes entry to the Museum

This event is being run in collaboration with The Train Collectors Society

2009-10-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

MUSEUM ACHIEVES MLA ACCREDITATION STATUS

The Museum is proud to announce that it has been awarded ACCREDITED status byt the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council. Gaining the award is a great achievement and demonstrates that our Museum has met the MLA's nationally agreed standards.

PUPPET SHOW - SUNDAY AUG 16TH, 2009

2009-08-16T07:04:00.000-07:00

'The Queen Bee' - a fairytale puppet show

Little folk and the young at heart delighted in this most beautiful new production of the traditional Grimms' tale, faithfully told with the accompaniment of a live musician.

The production was brought to you by the Brighton Toy Museum and 'The Elfin Grove'.

VIP!

2009-07-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

The Museum has recently become an authorised
VISITOR INFORMATION POINT!

Brighton Toy and Model Museum is now working in partnership with VisitBrighton, providing visitors to the city with information on what to see and what to do locally. A selection of free city maps and literature is already available in the shop area.

The Museum is ideally located to welcome visitors arriving at the station and heading down into the North Laine, towards the Pavillion and seafront.

"18 Years at the Brighton Toy Museum"

2009-03-06T09:00:00.000-08:00

SPECIAL EVENT - FRIDAY MARCH 6TH, 7:30pm

Hangleton/ Blatchington Mill, Holmes Ave, Hove

"18 Years at the Brighton Toy Museum"

Michael Gilkes gave an illustrated talk assisted by Chris Littledale, the Museum Director.

The talk spanned the entire life of the Museum, from its early beginnings to the present. The evening was complete with amazing railway sounds!

TRAIN RUNNING DAY - SATURDAY NOVEMBER 15, 2008

2008-11-15T09:00:00.000-08:00

TRAFALGAR STREET IMPROVEMENTS WELL UNDER WAY!

2008-10-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

We're absolutely delighted to see that the Trafalgar St. bridge undercroft improvement project is making excellent progress!!! The initiative includes pavement widening in brick, relighting, cleaning and better signage. New paving has been laid already and future improvements promise to highlight the historical significance of the undercroft structure as well as making it an attractive, welcoming entrance to the Laine.

Brighton and Hove Council, Railway Heritage Trust, Southern, Network Rail and others are involved in this quality improvement. Watch for future progress.

SPRING TRAIN RUNNING EVENT: MAY 3, 2008

2008-05-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

SPECIAL HOLIDAY TREASURE HUNT

2008-04-07T07:23:00.000-07:00

"A Victorian Christmas Magic Lantern Extravaganza"

2007-12-14T09:00:00.000-08:00

On Friday Dec. 14th, Peppers Ghost presented:

'A VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS MAGIC LANTERN EXTRAVAGANZA'

"Transports of Delight"

2007-12-07T09:00:00.000-08:00

ON SAT DEC 7, 2007, GUESTS ENJOYED AN ENCHANTING
EVENING OF MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT...

Print out the poster to help us advertise the event

'Transports of Delight' was yet another magical evening at the Museum. Music and entertainment were accompanied by a fully licensed bar and the fun continued till late...

TRAIN RUNNING EVENT WITH A 'CONTINENTAL' THEME!

2007-12-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

DEC 1st - TRAIN RUNNING EVENT WITH A 'CONTINENTAL' THEME!

Print out the poster to help us advertise the event

Numerous rare French trains made the rounds on our beautiful 0 gauge and 00 gauge layouts throughout the day.

Visitors to the Museum celebrated with chocolate cake and bubbly as the newly restored locomotive, 'La Chocolat Nord' made her first run since 1939 after being brought back to life by Chris Littledale, the Museum Director over the last 2 years.

Striped shirts and french moustaches added to the fun as well as a live 'sound show', recreating the sounds of a French railway station. It was definitely a day of fun and entertainment for visitors of all ages.

Leader: "Fairs Gone By"

2007-07-05T09:00:00.000-07:00

Click to read the Leader story (Thursday July 5th)

Argus: "Fairground of the past on display"

2007-06-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

The Argus has published an article about the new exhibit. Click the link below to read it.

Click to read the Argus story (Friday June 29th)

FAIRGROUND EXHIBIT OPEN THRU OCT 31

2007-06-26T09:00:00.000-07:00

Tony Robinson news coverage

2007-06-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

Tony Robinson's visit to the museum was covered in the Brighton Argus:

Article: "Going back in time with Baldrick's toy soldiers", Brighton Argus, Sun 3 June 2007

Tony Robinson is patron of the Museum's "Making History Fun" campaign.

The Museum, on BBC News

2007-06-02T09:00:00.000-07:00

BBC News filmed a news story at the museum, with Tony Robinson promoting the "Making History Fun" campaign.

The video can be played online from the BBC News website:

"Robinson returns to Brighton" (video)
"Actor, author and presenter Tony Robinson has been taken on a trip down memory lane at Brighton's Toy and Model Museum."

Tony Robinson visits museum!

2007-06-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

On Friday June 1st, the Museum welcomed the patron of the Museum's 'Making History Fun' campaign, Tony Robinson for a special visit.

Tony Robinson enters the Museum

After being shown round the Museum, Tony Robinson signed the Museum guest book.

Tony Robinson signs the Guestbook

'Hop on a Bus' - Special Exhibition

2007-05-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

The Museum is holding an exhibition entitled 'HOP ON A BUS', displaying model buses and memorabilia. The exhibition was opened on Tuesday 1st of May by Roger French, Managing Director of Brighton and Hove Buses, and runs from 1st of May to 16th of June inclusive.

The Museum is promoting the bus and, in particular, Brighton and Hove Buses, with its exhibition. This is all part of the Museum's programme 'Making History Fun'.

Chris Littledale, founder of the museum, welcomed Roger French to the event and both made relevant speeches. The exhibition launch was a charming event as Roger is a great supporter of the Toy and Model Museum and of the bus industry.

Smugglers' Week - April 11-14

2007-04-11T09:00:00.000-07:00

From Wednesday April 11th - Sat April 14th, the Toy Museum became a set for our special Easter holiday Smugglers' Week event, featuring two live performances (at 12 noon and 3pm) each day. Visitors heard grisly tales of smuggling days from an old smuggler in his lovingly re-created prison cell as he awaited transportation to the colonies!

Music Hall Extravaganza

2007-04-07T09:00:00.000-07:00

On the evening of Sat April 7th the Museum filled with guests for our Music Hall Extravaganza; an evening of music and costume, featuring Trevor Littledale as our MC and numerous musicians. Guests were invited to attend in fancy dress and there was a fully licensed bar.

Music Night - An Evening of Talent and Fun

2006-12-09T09:00:00.000-08:00

As part of its 'Victorian Christmas' celebrations, the Museum hosted an evening of music and singing on Sat December 9th. Several of the guests turned up in full Victorian costume, adding to the festive spirit of the occasion.

Superbly led by Roy Nash and Noel Dumbrell, it was a wonderful evening of singing and instrumental talent, complemented by a full licensed bar and lavish Victorian Christmas decorations. All present enjoyed themselves and we only hope that we can manage to organise another musical event early next Spring!

A sad goodbye to Claire, our curator

2006-12-09T08:26:00.000-08:00

As of the 30th December 2006 Claire Eden will no longer be the Curator of the Toy Museum due to funding for her post running out! Here is a message from her to all the Museum visitors, patrons, Friends and staff:

" I have had a wonderful time at the Museum, and I have really enjoyed setting up the new exhibition and events programme Making History Fun, helping to prepare the Museum's Accreditation application and trying to keep up - and where possible improve on - the Museum's fantastic reputation. It will be extremely sad to go, but I know that the volunteers and staff are more than capable of carrying on the work that I started. Thank you to everyone who has made this experience so wonderful, from visiting the Museum as a one off to long standing members! I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,
Goodbye!
Claire "

Whitehawk Children's Centre Opening

2006-11-28T09:00:00.001-08:00

On Sept. 28th, 2006, the Museum and its Education Team joined eb4U, the Mayor and the residents of Whitehawk in celebrating the completion of THE WHITEHAWK CHILDREN'S CENTRE. Museum staff provided a hands-on toy demonstration for visitors during the opening.

FALMER'S 'TOY STORY' EXHIBITION TUESDAY NOVEMBER 28TH - JAN 2007

2006-11-28T09:00:00.000-08:00

GCSE art students from Falmer High School have been hard at work preparing for a very special exhibition at the Museum.

The joint project is part of the 'Big Draw' and the exhibit will open on Tuesday Novermber 28th and will run thru January 2007.

Click the poster below for an enlargement.

Click to view full size printable poster
(200K pdf document)

Sat November 25 - Train Running Day, 'Time to Change'

2006-11-25T07:02:00.000-08:00

Our autumn Train Running Event took place on Saturday November 25.

Members of the Train Collectors' Society were in the Museum running their own trains (in addition to all of our own vintage trains), making it a truly special event for people of all ages.

The idea was to make 'Time to Change' reflect that period when the railways were grouped in 1923. The huge variety of locomotives and rolling stock running on our spectacular '00' and '0' gauge layouts for this special event was a sheer delight.

Exciting new partnership with Falmer High School!

2006-11-01T09:00:00.001-08:00

Brighton Toy and Model Museum is delighted to announce that the Museum has secured a new partnership with local secondary school, Falmer High School.

Students from Falmer's GCSE Applied Art group will be working closely with the Museum Education team to produce a Big Draw exhibition within the Museum.

We are delighted to be working with Falmer High School as we feel this relationship will be mutually beneficial, and offer exciting new opportunities for all involved. We are also pleased to be involved more directly with our local community and the future generations.

Please check our website for regular updates on how things are going!

Existing new partnership with Falmer High School!

2006-11-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

Students from Falmer's GCSE Applied Art group will be working closely with the Museum Education team to produce a Big Draw exhibition within the Museum.

We are delighted to be working with Falmer High School as we feel this relationship will be mutually beneficial, and offer exciting new opportunities for all involved. We are also pleased to be involved more directly with our local community and the future generations.
Please check our website for regular updates on how things are going!

Special Exhibits

2006-10-01T09:00:00.001-07:00

October 2006 saw the launch of two special exhibits. The first is titled 'THE FAMILY THEATRE' , featuring hand-painted sets, scripts, catalogues and memorabilia relating to a family which presented juvenile drama plays at home during the late 1950s-early 1960s.

We are also proud of our new display of figures titled 'THE JOY OF LITTLE PEOPLE'.

Our current exhibit, 'BLERIOT TO CONCORDE' features a fantastic collection of model aircraft, illustrating the history of modern flight.

Launch of "Making History Fun" Campaign

2006-10-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

October 2006 saw the launch of the Museum's exciting year-long campaign called 'Making History Fun'. The aim of the campaign is to make history more accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds.

The Museum is very busy planning a full programme of events and activities to run throughout the year. There will be musical evenings, performances (to include: 'An Audience with Rudyard Kipling'), special exhibitions, a Quiz night, speakers and a special Smuggler's event.

The programme and details about events appear in the new 'Making History Fun' section of this website, which has gone online to help keep the public informed.

Museum Director Chris Littledale and the Mayor during the Launch

Music Night a great success

2006-04-22T16:46:00.000-07:00

Many claim that it was the best Music Night we've organised yet!!! Enthusiastic guests packed the Museum on Saturday April 22 to enjoy a high-energy evening of first-class folk music. The event raised much-needed funds for the Museum.

The great line-up included:

Paul Downes - Recognised as one of the finest guitarists on the folk scene. Eight albums with bands, three highly acclaimed solo albums and over one hundred and fifty session credits have still left time for Paul to play every concert venue, theatre and festival in Britain, plus many tours in the USA and Europe with, among others, Pete Seeger. "Wonderful...Magnificent throughout," said Melody Maker.

Terry Masterson has been a giant of the local folk scene for over three decades. His wonderful ballad singing will leave you in no doubt why.

Alan White - While he was resident of the famous Boggery Folk Club in Birmingham it was Alan who gave Jasper Carrott his first break and they remain close friends. Alan toured the folk circuit extensively with his riotous comedy act and recorded two albums. A rare chance to see him performing locally.

Among the other artists appearing were the multi-instrumental duo Ray Chandler & Barry Ruffell, Pete Cartlidge & Stuart Reed of The Taverners.

Special thanks to the musicians and to our generous sponsors:

Harveys Breweries
Courage Breweries
Kitchen Cafe, 93 Trafalgar Street.

Everyone's been asking when we hope to have the next one!

Museum on the telly!

2006-03-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

Look out for the Brighton Toy & Model Museum on the telly!

On the Car Booty programme our very own Peter Palmer and Museum are featured. They should be on our screens in March on the BBC.

Claire Eden, in Brighton and Hove Leader

2006-01-27T09:00:00.000-08:00

Brighton and Hove Leader, January 27, 2006

Cover caption:

" ON TRACK: Claire Eden isn't just playing with trains, she has to count them, along with hundreds of other treasures at Brighton Toy and Model Museum. Claire, the museum's new curator, is compiling a database which will help it bid for Lottery cash. Full story on Page 7. "

Page 7:

" TREASURED TOYS AND A MOUSE

Brighton's Toy and Model Museum has started recording its treasured 3,000 items for the first time, thanks to a £1,600 grant to buy new computer equipment.

New curator Claire Eden, a Sussex University post-graduate student, is inputting the details on the museum's first database.

She said: "Until now there was nothing recorded - just a few scraps of paper written about 15 years ago stuck in the drawer. There were a few attempts to make an inventory but nothing completed."

The charity-run museum in Trafalgar Street is one of few remaining in the country. Claire, 23, said a proper database would bring the museum national recognition and enable it to apply for Lottery funding.

She said: "Our main goal will be to create a resource room where people can do research into toys. We have a lot of specialist books and information which we would like to make available on site."

The welcome handout has come from the South Eastern Museum Archives and Libraries Council.

Claire said school parties visited the museum most days and a resource centre would be of a huge benefit to them as well as toy and model enthusiasts.

Former curator Andrew Woodfield has stepped into the role of education officer to move the museum forward.

Among other plans are improvements to the museum and more exhibitions.

The museum is open Tuesday to Friday, 10am to 5pm, and Saturday, 11am to 5pm. Details on 01273 749494. "

Museum receives grant money

2005-11-21T16:37:00.000-08:00

At the beginning of November 2005 the Museum received the great news that we had been granted £1,594.70 from the SEWS Museum Development Fund.

This was due to a grant application for funding to buy the database and computer equipment needed to document our collection. As you all know we need to document the Museum's collection as part of our bid to become an accredited museum. The new computer will store the database, which will hold the details of every single item in the collection. The Curator has said that "the grant is great news and although Christmas is a very busy time we hope to get started on the database before then."

Getting the grant also shows the support that we are now receiving from local museum organisations. We will keep you informed on how the database is coming along.

Announcement - October 31st, 2005: Dr Who cabinet closed for maintenance

2005-10-31T09:00:00.000-08:00

Items from the Dr. Who collection on display in the arch cabinet have been put in temporary storage due to emergency maintenance. The Museum apologises for any inconvenience this may cause. The rest of the Dr. Who exhibit is still on display in our floor cabinet.

New Curator starts work

2005-10-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

In September Claire Eden took over as the Curator.

She replaces Andrew Woodfield who resigned as Manager to concentrate on the Museum's education programme. He is now the Education Officer. It is hoped that these new postings will help move the Museum towards its accreditation goal. Claire says, "The next 12 months will be a crucial time for the Museum and it will be a lot of hard work, but we have a great team who I'm sure are more than capable of this challenge. "

Dr Who exhibit now on display

2005-09-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE!

A collection of Daleks

"Is There A Doctor In The House?"….. "Yes There Is!"

Those of you lucky enough to have visited the museum this summer will have seen our latest exhibition: a wonderful display of Dr Who Memorabilia.

Following a surprise phone call from The Brighton Pier, who explained to us that the sheer quantity of items destined for inclusion in their Dr Who Exhibition was too large for the available space, it was mutually agreed that the remaining exhibits should come to us.

The exhibits in question are in fact the renowned private collection of David Howe, a long term fan of all things Doctor Who and an author and publisher of several authoritative books on the subject including Transcendental Toybox (the complete guide to Doctor Who memorabilia).

They are professionally displayed in two showcases which formerly housed our Brighton seaside-themed display and Britain's garden models. They range from the expected Dr Who related books, posters, jigsaw puzzles, games, badges and figures right through to the more obscure items such as frisbees, watches, yoyos, painting sets, slide-projectors, bubble bath and even pants… no, you're not seeing things, pants. And naturally, there are quite a few of our old friends the Daleks.

Dr Who memorabilia

But WHO has come to the display (if you'll excuse the pun)? Well, our volunteers have booked in a vast array of visitors who have come specifically to see the exhibition. We've seen everyone from young children and their families recently acquainted with the Doctor through the new television series, to people wanting to re-live their memories of the original television programmes from the 1960's and 1970's, and last but not least the die-hard Dr Who fans, often wearing their prized Dr Who T-shirts and badges.

The exhibition will remain in place until the end of January 2006, so there's still plenty of time to catch the Doctor and his memorabilia. Don't leave it too late though as the Tardis never stays in one place for too long!

Puppet Panto at the Junior Members' Party

2005-01-09T09:00:00.000-08:00

Our Junior Members' Club had a party which featured an original puppet panto, entirely written and performed by staff.

Everyone had a fantastic time at our Junior Members' Party, held in January 2005. There were games, refreshments and a very special puppet panto, written and performed by Museum staff. Trains were run on the central layout and Chris additionally performed a sound effect show, replicating the sounds of trains.
Full story follows below pictures... read all about it!

Madame Hiccup and Jason the Dog give it their all

Trevor at the keyboard, providing live accompaniment

Our singing, dancing, performing Staff take their bows after the panto...

Our singing, dancing, performing Staff take their bows after the panto...

Sunday January 9th, 2005, saw the museum hold its Junior Members' Christmas Party. Advertised many weeks in advance, this event drew in an excellent attendance of 21 adults and 23 children who, together with a selection of museum staff, helped make for a wonderfully festive and enjoyable afternoon.

The Junior Members and their accompanying family members, many of whom are frequent visitors to the museum, were free to play and view our many exhibits while acquainting themselves with their fellow peers. Indeed, this was the first member-specific event that we have held to date, and such an opportunity for them to socialise was clearly appreciated.

Soon the children were invited to join in with the party games of (musical chairs, musical statues etc.) lead by museum manager Andrew Woodfield and accompanied by Trevor Littledale on our recently acquired electric keyboard. The games were eagerly contested by all, but everyone ended up with a pack of goodies to take home or consume then and there. It was a pleasure for the museum staff to witness the children so clearly enjoying themselves.

Later, it was the turn of the museum staff to perform, and this they did in style. Written and directed by ex-actor Andrew Woodfield, the Pantomime / Puppet Show "Babes in Toyland" depicted the valiant struggle against the wicked Squire Squeezem by Jason the dog, Dame Hiccup and Fairy Fortune.
Set against the backdrops of their poor country cottage, a ghostly fairy dell (both produced by volunteer graphics assistant, Lawrence Watts), a vintage bus and finally Toyland itself, they managed to counter the Squire's attempts to evict them from their humble abode.

Featuring songs, high drama, gripping dialogue and quite a few hilarious props, the pantomime was ably accompanied by Trevor Littledale on the electric keyboard. And naturally, audience participation was a key aspect in the show's success. Clear relief was visible on the faces of the staff involved, for two hurried rehearsals was all they had to prepare for the moment of truth.

The grand finale of the party was Museum Director Chris Littledale operating our superb OO-gauge railway layout. The event reached its conclusion with the serving of further refreshments and, for many, a last look around the museum for that particular day. A good time was had by all and the Junior Members finally set off home with their parents, no doubt destined to sleep very soundly following an afternoon of great enjoyment. As for the museum staff, we were inspired to repeat this event-format in the future.

The Royal Visit

2004-11-30T09:00:00.000-08:00

H.R.H. Duke of Gloucester paid a special visit to the Museum in early November, 2004.

H.R.H. Duke of Gloucester on central layout

The Duke reveals a commemorative plaque

The Duke with Museum Director, Chris Littledale

Museum Manager, Andrew Woodfield with the Duke

Open after three years of closure!

2001-10-31T09:00:00.000-08:00

For those of you that didn't know, the Museum is finally up and running again after 3 years of closure due to water damage! The doors re-opened to the public in October 2001 after months of hard work and preparation.

Both the exhibits and the shop are back and the museum is once again available for private functions and school visits too.