Blists Hill Victorian Museum

Today we visited Blists Hill Victorian Town - in walking distance from The Barn. The reconstructed town is populated by craftsmen, shop-keepers and various interesting characters. Shortly after we arrived, we witnessed the policeman arresting a villain for attempting to pinch his bicycle. Here he is demonstrating the technique for 'feeling the collar' of the bounder...

We were treated to an entertaining lecture to the cad, who got most distressed when the copper threatened to tell his mother.

In the Grocer's shop window were these little chicks.

This was the theme of the Easter Hunt - 20 little yellow (model, not real) chicks were to be found around the site - write down where each of them is to be found and you win a lollipop.

Highlight of the day was the visit to the school. "But it's the holidays. We don't want to go to school", they protested when I asked them if they wanted to attend the 20 minute lesson with Mr Allsop, the headmaster.

He came out and rang his bell. I persuaded them to line up and we went in for a lesson. We were in trouble right from the start. "Who gave you permission to sit down?",he asked. We were reminded we were working class children and that we should know our place. Then we had to recite the school rules after him. Don't speak unless you are spoken to. Put your hand up if you want to speak. Stand up if you are selected to speak. And don't write with your left hand or you will turn out bad.

Fingernails were inspected. Oh dear. Big Miss (among others) had nail polish on! And some of the ladies were wearing jewelry. Tut. tut! If they came to school like that tomorrow it would be the cane for them!

We had to learn our 7 times table by repeating it after the headmaster. Then we had to learn some facts about the Iron Bridge and draw a picture of it on our slates. We were allowed out on condition that when we come back tomorrow, we would all be able to put our hands up to answer the question "What did you do yesterday to help a fellow man?"

"I don't want to go to school in Telford", said Little W afterwards. The girls agreed. I think they found it a bit strict. But it seemed to work. Little W is now a whizz at his 7 times table, and they can all remember 4 facts about the Iron Bridge!

In the afternoon we were treated to some street theatre by the Prince Albert Players. Great fun. And it wasn't just the visitors who watched...

It was interesting to compare this with the Tudor re-enactment we visited at Kentwell last week. Both good and both quite different. But I preferred the Tudors - I think it's because they were living their parts rather than performing them.