At 7.45 yesterday morning, a group of 69 Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 students departed the Ellesmere Port Church of England College for the Blists Hill Victorian town museum in Ironbridge, as part of the College’s experience week.Â
Upon arrival students were able to explore the town in small groups and learn about the values and cultural identities of our Victorian ancestors.
Students had the opportunity to visit the chemist where they were given a talk on different types of medicine used during the Victorian era, they then were able to visit the haberdashery, where they could see how clothes were made and how people reused fabric in order to not waste any produce.
They also took in examples of Victorian fashion and the different styles of fashion for different social classes. Students also visited the post office where they took lessons and handwriting and calligraphy. Students also visited the butchers, the greengrocers, the candlestick makers, and the printing press factory.  Lastly on our journey round the High Street students were able to visit the portrait studio and have the opportunity to take some photographs with Victorian backgrounds and costumes.Â
Students then had an opportunity to visit the many different types of food outlets that the Victorian High Street held, for example students went to the bakery and sampled fresh bread, fruit bread, home-made shortbread, and ginger biscuits.
Students then had an opportunity to indulge in the industrial side of Blists Hill. There was an operational mine train which took students into a coal pit. They were able to visit the blacksmiths and the blast furnaces which underpin the industrial revolution period. They visited the stone masons and the masonry – where some of our students made bricks!Â
Last but not least the students visited the fair ground and indulged in some old-fashioned rides. A wonderful day had by all. Students were impeccably behaved and really enjoyed the experience.Â
