Kidderminster's Museum of Carpet features on BBC's Bargain Hunt

A segment of the show, which aired earlier this month, explored Kidderminster's rich carpet history. 

Presenter Natasha Raskin Sharp visited the museum and spoke with historian Dr Anthea Harris-Fry.

Melvyn Thompson, Natasha Raskin Sharp, and Tony L'Huillier (Image: Museum of Carpet)

She discussed the “forerunner of carpet,” known as “stuff,” and the beginning of the carpet industry in Kidderminster. 

The presenter also spoke with volunteers at the museum, Tony L'Huillier and Audrey Perry, who worked in the carpet factories during their heydays. 

Tony said: “It was all a big family really, literally because the trade in the town, it just spread across all of the families and various generations were in it. 

Audrey said: “We all looked after each other. The camaraderie was great”.  

Tony L'Huillier, Audrey Perry and Natasha Raskin Sharp (Image: Museum of Carpet)

After the airing of the episode, Dr Harris-Fry, learning coordinator at the museum, said: "We have a wonderful weaving heritage in Kidderminster and it is fantastic when the Museum gets the opportunity to share that more broadly. 

"Personally, I love seeing former carpet weavers such as our volunteers, Audrey and Tony share stories of their lives – it is what brings the Museum alive.  

"People don’t always realise that Kidderminster was famous for its weaving long before the 18th century, when the carpet industry started. 

"Many generations of skilled, hard-working people contributed to our town, and still do, often in the same entrepreneurial spirit.  

"Do watch the piece about the Museum on iPlayer: the programme-makers of Bargain Hunt have done an excellent job in distilling the Kidderminster story."

The episode ‘Series 63: Builth Wells 4,’ first aired on December 14, 2022 and is now available to view on BBC iPlayer.