What the heck is a lek?
Males great bustards perform spectacular courtship displays, gathering at a ‘lek’ or small display ground to try to impress the females.
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Created in collaboration with partner museums and the Museum of British Folklore, the exhibition explores the connection between folk culture, people, and place, highlighting traditional crafts, music, storytelling, and myths while showing how these traditions inspire modern creativity and community.
Visitors can also enjoy films and photography by Create Studios capturing the Wessex folk calendar, alongside a new folk song and story map reimaging traditional regional songs by local artists Chloe Herington and Bridie Cheeseman.
When the exhibition ends on 8 March, it will tour three more of the Wessex Museums: Wiltshire Museum, Poole Museum, and The Salisbury Museum throughout 2025 and 2026.
Follow the exhibition on TikTok
@wessex.folk Un/Common People: Folk Culture in Wessex Un/Common People celebrates the vibrant folk art and seasonal customs of Wessex, both past and present. It redefines the traditional meaning of the term ‘commoner’ by showcasing the extraordinary creativity of folk art, crafted by self-taught artists and makers. #Folk#Tradition#Folklore#folktok#Folklorethursday#uncommonpeople #exhibition#britishtradition #traditionalart #makers #makersoftiktok#hirstoy#local#wilthsire#wessextradition#folkculture#LivingHeritage ♬ original sound - Wessex Folk
The exhibition has been made possible with generous support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Arts Council England, and The Swire Charitable Trust.
Image: Un/Common People: Folk Culture in Wessex exhibition at Museum & Art Swindon. Ash Mills.
Males great bustards perform spectacular courtship displays, gathering at a ‘lek’ or small display ground to try to impress the females.
The great bustard has a dignified slow walk but tends to run when disturbed, rather than fly.
The hen-bird on display at The Salisbury Museum was one of the last great bustards to be eaten in the town!