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How it all Began |
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| Yesterday's World was born out of the coming together of two
main areas of influence; the first a history of Brian and Annette Buckley running
successful businesses (a newsagents and a bakery), and the second a love of nostalgia,
antiques, memorabilia and all manner of wonderfully interesting old artefacts. Some 30 odd years ago Annette Buckley began to put together, albeit without intention, a collection of old and nostalgic paraphernalia, not with a view to building a collection but because it appealed to her and occupied her whilst Brian performed the important task of lowering his handicap! In 1982, using various items from her 'collection', Annette won first prize in a competition with a national magazine to design and arrange a window display. Having enjoyed the prize, a £10,000 luxury holiday in Thailand, Annette began to dismantle the display. Numerous customers complained and made it known that they enjoyed and bringing people to view it. It was then that a customer of the shop suggested that a more permanent display might be possible in the cellar of the newsagents... And so it began. Once the 'basement museum' was established using Annette's personal collection more and more items were donated, Annette tracked down yet more herself and the collection took on "a life of it's own". The museum very soon outgrew it's first location and it became obvious to Annette and Brian that larger premises were needed. Suitable premises in the shape of a 600 year old Wealden house were secured and in 1986 a new museum was opened to the public... Buckleys Museum of Shops. Within a few short years the collection reached a point where once again it had outgrown the premises housing it... And following clever negotiation, the adjoining house was purchased. The museum was re-launched as Buckleys Yesterday's World on the 16th June 1992. Fully taking up 3 floors and far too many rooms to count, it takes visitors on a realistic journey through every day life between 1850 and 1950. Each separate area is fitted out to depict life as it was... In the 'high street' there is a pharmacy and opticians, an ironmongers, a boot repairer, a general store, a sweet shop, a toy shop, a grocery store, a drapery, a lacemaker, a barber, a wireless shop, a pawnbrokers shop, a 1930s hairdressers and a post office. On the home front the exhibition concentrates on Victorian life in a large house... With kitchen, laundry, nursery, maid's room, children's bedroom and day room, granny's attic and even an old WC with newspaper hanging on a nail. To complete the picture there's a working model of a fairground, a penny arcade and an old teddy bears' picnic... And finally the 'Royalty Room' with a life size, talking, animated model of Queen Victoria surrounded by various regal paraphernalia.
In the grounds of Yesterday's World the fun continues... A mock-up of a 1930s railway station, a country garage, a photographic studio, kitchen exhibition, and bicycle shop all continue the theme of by-gone years. As the grounds extend away from the houses, further attractions for young and old alike are to be found. There's a terrace cafe for 'al fresco' refreshments, fudge making operation, video show, a royalty exhibition, and a picnic area. Importantly, an area is set aside for younger children to enjoy themselves without getting into mischief... The best of these comes in the shape of a miniature play village with a great variety of different buildings and structures, including a wonderful castle. Most would think that enough to occupy the most demanding of customers, but just in case, there's also a miniature golf course. |