Richard, Blackburn’s oldest volunteer, shares the town’s textile history at the museum. He has done it for 17 years.
Richard used to work in textiles. He is the museum’s oldest volunteer, having volunteered for over 17 years. He shares stories about the town’s cotton industry.
Richard started working in textiles in 1950, at the age of 15. He joined British Northrop Loom Company Ltd. The company helped Blackburn become a textile leader.
A loom arrived at the museum in pieces, and his friend asked him to fix it. Richard fixed the loom and now tells visitors stories.
This project began his museum work. He restored many looms and is vital to the Lewis Textile Collection. He won a British Museum Award and also Volunteer of the Year.
Richard was born on Cotton Street and loves Blackburn’s history. Blackburn was once a weaving capital. He enjoys telling stories and talking to schoolchildren.
He prefers sharing stories in person, saying books are not the same. He loves volunteering at the museum and feels he is giving back.
He loves his hometown, Blackburn, which is a fantastic place to him. He will keep volunteering as long as he can.
Rebecca Johnson, who manages arts and heritage, also spoke. She says Richard enriches the museum and his stories captivate many visitors. Volunteers are essential to the museum.