A scheme to teach Wyre Forest students about Kidderminster’s important carpet heritage has won funding from Wyre Forest District Council.

Carpet Museum Localism Grant 01A £5,000 grant from Wyre Forest District Council’s Localism initiative will secure Kidderminster’s Museum of Carpet’s education programme which sees staff go into schools and students visit the Stour Vale Mill centre in Green Street.

The Museum of Carpet is a unique resource for Wyre Forest, telling the story of Kidderminster’s industrial and social history as the carpet capital of the world, through modern interactive exhibits and displays.

The museum also preserves a large archive of objects and images of significance to the carpet industry and the town. 

Museum manager Elizabeth Broadway said: “The museum faced an uncertain future towards the end of 2016, but due to the commitment and dedication of volunteers, staff and trustees, this risk has been averted. 

“The Localism grant from Wyre Forest District Council will ease some of the pressure and enable us continue our work in the community with schools and colleges, creating a sense of pride in the town of Kidderminster.  It will also support our work with other community groups including people living with dementia and their carers, using the museum collections to inspire and promote well-being.


Wyre Forest District Council Leader Councillor Marcus Hart, who leads on Localism for the authority, said: “The Museum is not only an important tourist attraction – drawing in visitors from all over the world - it is also ensuring younger generations learn about the district’s important carpet heritage. I’m delighted our Localism initiative has been able to support the museum’s educational outreach work, which is actively helping promote civic pride in the area.”

The museum – which is working towards becoming nationally accredited -  houses a significant archive including hand painted carpet designs dating back to the 1800s and over 100 years of the local newspaper The Shuttle.

The museum displays temporary exhibitions and is currently hosting the ‘Lucienne Day: Living Design’ touring exhibition celebrating the centenary of the birth of Lucienne Day, one of Britain’s foremost textile designers as part of Kidderminster Arts Festival (KAF). The exhibition closes on 30 September 2017. For more information go to www.museumofcarpet.org

More information about Wyre Forest District Council’s Localism Fund is available at www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/localismfund

 

Photograph shows, (left to right) – Councillor Anne Hingley – Museum Trustee, Elizabeth Broadway – Museum Manager, Sue Hetherington – Education and Exhibitions Co-ordinator, Councillor Marcus Hart – Leader of the Council and Councillor Rose Bishop – Museum Trustee.