Exhibition of Victorian invention at museum.
Next weekend, Saturday and Sunday 16th-17th August, members of the Telford and Ironbridge Meccano Society bring their magnificent metal creations to Blists Hill Victorian Town, near Ironbridge.
Visitors to the museum will see a wide range of Meccano models, in addition to the usual attractions; normal admission charges apply.
Victorian inventiveness will be celebrated with all manner of mechanical marvels, including clocks, cranes, bridges and working steam engines. Much of the technology on show is taken from the 19th century, with clockwork and hand-cranked amusements to delight all ages.
TIMS Chairman, Chris Shute, of Wem says, “Blists Hill Victorian Town is a perfect venue. Meccano was the last great Victorian invention, patented by Frank Hornby in 1901, at the end of Victoria’s reign. Originally marketed as Mechanics Made Easy, the Meccano system continues to thrive. Colours, materials and factories may have changed, but the dimensions and chunky screw threads are still Victorian.”
Chris also claims to have invented the world’s first Steam-driven Perpetual Poetry Producer. His peculiar Meccano machine can compose billions of four-line verses in praise of his 35 favourite Meccano parts! “The poetry and the steam engine might need some more tweaking before the weekend!” he reckons.
Open 10am until 5pm, Blists Hill is one of the ten Ironbridge Gorge Museums. An Annual Passport Ticket allowing entry into the Town and the other nine Ironbridge Gorge Museums, valid for twelve months and unlimited return visits, costs £27.50 per adult, £21 for the 60 plus, £16.50 for students and children and £68 for a family of two adults and all their children aged up to 18 years in full time education (terms and conditions apply); under 5s free.
Activities and workshops vary day-to-day and some carry an extra charge in addition to the museum admission fee. Individual museum entry tickets are also available. For further information, contact the Ironbridge Tourist Information Centre on Tel: 01952 433 424 or visit www.ironbridge.org.uk.