KIDDERMINSTER’S Museum of Carpet is hosting special Hunker in the Bunker sessions for its youngest visitors to the In the Firing Line exhibition.

The sessions will take place over the next three Saturdays, for the young visitors to enjoy themselves and learn a little more about the impact of World War One on the town.

Julie Alcorn, museum manager, said: “As the Museum’s Education and Learning Officer, I know it is really important that even when tackling a subject as serious as World War One, it is important to offer something to capture the enthusiasm of all our visitors, young or old.

“That is why as a key part of the exhibition, we have created a bunker for our younger visitors to sit and play in.”

The Hunker in the Bunker Saturday sessions will take place on November 29, December 6, and December 13, between 11am and 3.30pm.

There will be a bunker full of activities to help keep children entertained at the museum including dressing up costumes, for them to don an army jacket or a nurse’s uniform and be transported back in time to 1914.

For creative visitors, there will be the chance to sew their very own felt poppy Badge of Honour or they can create a field of poppies in felt.

Grace Kovacs, a frequent visitor, said: “I can’t wait for the Hunker in the Bunker sessions. I’ve been to the museum before and had a great time, but I can’t wait to play in the bunker and learn more about World War One.

“I hope that I can dress up as a nurse and help bandage someone’s wound.”

As an educational charity, the museum is also keen to bring out aspects of the town’s history that have been forgotten. During the war, many of mills stopped manufacturing floor covering and instead began to weave blankets. Factories such as Lowland Mills started out in 1916 when Misters T. & A. Naylor bought Lowland Meadow, between Green Street and Back Brook. But a condition was laid down that within a year; a factory manufacturing fabric had to be built on the site. As the war was in full swing, the Naylor brothers decided to manufacture blankets which were in high demand.

The museum is keen to display a blanket made at Lowlands Mill and is asking if anyone in the town has one that they could put on display for the remainder of its exhibition.

If anyone has one, or any other piece of history related to Kidderminster’s blanket trade, then contact the museum on 01562 69028 or email admin@museumofcarpet.org.uk.