News
Willenhall Lock Museum costume drama
Willenhall`s historic Locksmith`s House is seeking volunteer tour guides who, dressed in period costumes, will help bring to life the industrial heritage of lock making in the town.
Current owners, The Black Country Living Museum in partnership with the Friends of Willenhall Lock Museum wish to recruit and train volunteers to assist visitors when the New Road museum reopens. Friends chairman, Stan Taylor said:
“The group is in the process of recruiting volunteers to help lead tours, run activities and help with events at the centre.
“They will be given training by staff from the living museum based in Dudley where volunteers dressed in costume assist with events. It is hoped this will also be a new feature when the Locksmith`s House is opened later this year.”
Repairs to the roof of the Grade II listed building are taking place and a new sign is in place. An advertising leaflet is being distributed to thousands of homes in the area to attract local people to pre-booked visits.
The museum closed in 2008 when Walsall Council withdrew funding. The Black Country Living Museum stepped in and bought the building, intending to move it brick-by-brick to its main Dudley site. That plan, however, was halted following objections from English Heritage. Money had been allocated to build an exact replica of the house in Dudley, but Advantage West Midlands withdrew the funding. Happily, the Lock Museum will remain in Willenhall and its future seems more secure.
The Friends group next meet on February 11 at the School of Hope in Stafford Street at 6-30pm. Potential volunteers are welcome to attend.