The plans are being drawn up and we are working hard on the second stage application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for £835,700 which will be submitted in the autumn. Our fundraising target is £1.3 million and, thanks to a number of very generous individuals, charitable trusts and the Heritage Lottery Fund, we have made a strong start in raising this amount. We are now asking all our friends and supporters to help us reach our target. If you would like to be involved, there are a number of ways in which you can help.
All donors will be kept up to date with developments and their donation will be acknowledged in the newly opened Museum. We hope that you will agree to make your payment under Gift Aid which would allow the Museum to reclaim a further 22% from the Inland Revenue. If you wished to spread your donation over a period of up to two years, you could do so by completing a Bank Standing Order. Gifts of $500 or over from US donors can be tax-deductible, if sent via CAFAmerica.
BECOME A SUPPORTER – If you contribute £100 or more to the Appeal, you will be kept up to date with developments and your donation will be acknowledged in the newly opened Museum. You and a guest will be invited to attend the celebrations when the Museum re-opens.
BECOME A BENEFACTOR - If you contribute £500 or more to the Appeal, you will be kept up to date with developments and your donation will be acknowledged in the newly opened Museum. You will receive Life Membership of the Friends of the Museum and will be invited to the Private View of all Museum exhibitions. You and a guest will be invited to attend the celebrations when the Museum re-opens.
BECOME A VICE-PATRON – Those who contribute £1,000 and above will be enrolled in our Vice Patrons Scheme. All Vice-Patrons will receive the benefits listed above and, in addition, your donation will be prominently acknowledged in the newly opened Museum on a panel commissioned from a leading contemporary lettering artist. You and a guest will be invited to a special reception and to the celebrations when the Museum re-opens.
Click here to download Development Appeal forms
May 2010
We are delighted to announce that the Museum has been awarded £157,566 by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to draw up detailed plans for its ambitious Capital Project. This HLF first-round pass means that we can now progress to the second stage of the HLF application process with up to two years to submit detailed plans and costings and apply for an additional £835,711 of HLF support for the £2 million project. 
The refurbished Museum will demonstrate Ditchling’s important influence on the artistic and craft traditions of the 20th century, set within the context of the village and the landscape of the South Downs.
The plans include the conversion of the historic Cart Lodge on the Village Green to create a new entrance, café and shop. The old school and other existing buildings will be refurbished to improve access, allow new displays and provide upgraded storage for this important Collection.
In addition dedicated spaces will be provided for education and research to meet the growing demand from schools and colleges and from individual researchers. Adam Richards Architects have been appointed to translate these aims into a living, working building reflecting the high levels of design and quality of materials to be expected of a building in the heart of this Sussex village.
"This venture is the result of a strong partnership between all of us who care about Ditchling Museum and its unique heritage. We believe that the new Museum will be of great benefit to Ditchling and surrounding villages as an education centre, community focus and as a new visitor attraction for the region that celebrates our important cultural heritage. A major fundraising campaign will soon be underway. Watch this space for details of how you might be able to help us."
Jenny KilBride, Chairman of Trustees.
If you would like to receive news of the Project through our Newsletters please send an email to
headed Capital Project.
August 2009