Express & Star

Kidderminster's Museum of Carpets weaving together history for new generation

It was a bustling industry that employed more than 12,000 people and boosted 25 factories during its heyday.

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Volunteer Roger Mathews demonstrates hand loom weaving

Now a dedicated team is working hard to keep Kidderminster's world famous carpet heritage alive.

The Museum of Carpet opened its doors in the town six years and since then staff and volunteers have been working hard to share 300 years of history.

Today there are only a few firms left making carpets in the town, a start contrast to the 1950s and 60s when they were more than two dozen.

Museum manager Sue Hetherington and her dedicated team are working hard to keep Kidderminster’s carpet heritage alive

"It was an industry that had international significance - Kidderminster was once the carpet capital of the world so this museum is important for telling this important story," says museum manager Sue Hetherington.

The first Kidderminster carpet was woven in 1735 and carpets made in the town have been sold in every High Street and been laid in Buckingham Palace, Downing Street and the White House.

John Hopkins on the Jacquard Wilton Loom and Creel

The visitor attraction which was 30 years in the making, is based at Stour Vale Mill, a former factory for carpet manufacturer Woodward Grosvenor.

It was made possible thanks to the work of the Friends of the Museum of Carpet, founded in 2000, and the help of Heritage Lottery grant of £1.9 million and cash from other organisations

It takes visitors on a historical journey from the hand loom era to how the town’s history became interwoven with that of the carpet industry.

Demonstrator Ged Ward on the spool Axminster loom

Displays and artefacts also give an insight into the lives of the people who worked on the looms and the entrepreneurs who developed businesses, known throughout the world.

The museum also features a major centre-piece of two working power looms - an Axminster spool loom and an early 20th century Wilton Jacquard loom - as well as hand looms operated by volunteers.

Visitors can also find out how carpets were designed and even have a go at creating their own design.

Displays provide an information on the changing styles and fashions through the years.

Demonstrator Audrey Perry on the Axminster spool loom

Hundreds of school children visit and take part in workshops on carpet making and its history every year.

There are also extensive archives, including carpet designs, books, company ledgers, newspapers and photographs, which can be used for research.

Chairman of the Friends of the Museum of Carpet and retired textile consultant John Hopkins said: "Carpets from Kidderminster have been found around the globe including Disney World and the White House. Everyone wanted a Kidderminster carpet.

Kidderminster's Museum of Carpets

"Sadly, due to economic factors and new technologies, the industry declined and carpets began being made abroad in places like Portugal and India.

"It's very important that future generations are aware of this heritage and what Kidderminster once was."

As the museum is independently run by the Carpet Museum Trust it relies on the support of its army of around 40 volunteers as well as the Friends group, which has 300 members, as it gets no public funding.

Linda Davis and Faye Gillmore volunteer at the museum

"You can have the best building and the best objects but it's the volunteers that really bring it to life. They are the life blood of the museum. They are so welcoming to visitors and are proud to be a part of the museum," says Sue.

It's running a Corporate Partners programme to further connect with the carpet industry and related industries and offers a range of different packages. "We've had a lot of support from the carpet industry already but this is about widening that support and letting more people know we are here," adds Sue.

*For more information see www.museumofcarpet.org