If you ever wanted to find out how exciting it can be if you are a voluntary custodian - now is your chance to find out. Marlipins Museum, in Shoreham, needs more volunteers for the 2008 season. If you are interested contact Helen Poole on smomich@sussexpast.co.uk.

Sussex Past is grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund, Adur District Council and Viridor Waste Management Ltd for help with funds to construct the new annexe and two new galleries, completed in 2004.

Marlipins Museum, at 36 High Street, Shoreham-by-Sea, reopened to the public on 1st May 2004 with new displays and two new galleries after an extensive period of redevelopment.  Over the last winter some additional changes have been made with 2005 season running from 2nd May to 29th October.  The doors are open from 10.30am to 4.30pm, Tuesday to Saturday.

The building is a fascinating combination of old and new, with one of the oldest lay buildings in Sussex linked to a new two-storey annexe, which was completed in 2004. The Gallery on the first floor is a popular venue for talks and exhibitions. The popular Friday Coffee Mornings are run throughout the winter by the Shoreham Society.

The permanent displays concentrate on our important maritime past and the local history of this part of Sussex.  The Archaeology Gallery looks at the Shoreham area from early prehistory to medieval times, featuring the exciting new discoveries from Ropetackle and from Marlipins itself. There is also a section of the original 12^th century wall and a mysterious pit built into the old masonry, which may have been a strong room but is equally likely to have been a privy! At the bottom of the pit, the archaeologists found a cat skeleton, one of four on site.

Upstairs the story of the Adur area continues, showing local agriculture, domestic life and the major 20^th century themes of the Shoreham Film Industry, Shoreham Beach, the Airport and wartime. Pictures from the extensive art collection are changed regularly, and West Sussex Picture the Past shows digital images on a computer programme of over 500 of the Museum’s old photographs and paintings. It is a friendly environment with well informed people on site to look after our visitors, so come and see for yourselves.

Disabled access: There is an easy way in through the new entrance down the side of the museum on Middle Street, and we have a lift that allows wheelchair access throughout the museum. There is also a wheelchair accessible toilet.