WHILE it may not be a rival to Ascot, Broadfield House Glass Museum will host its own ladies day later this week.

The Kingswinford museum will be throwing open its doors from noon on Thursday (June 18) to welcome local women and their families for a special day of events.

It will feature an opportunity for visitors to look around the museum with the assistance of costumed tour guides, have a go at glass engraving, watch glassmaking demonstrations and share stories about working in the industry.

The attraction is home to a Heritage Lottery Funded (HLF) project to shine a light on the untold story of women in the area’s glassmaking industry, and organisers hope the event will help to find out more about the role local women have played.

Dudley Councillor Khurshid Ahmed, cabinet member responsible for museums, said: “We are really grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund for this £10k grant which will allow us to delve into the area’s past and celebrate the achievements of women and the role they have played in this important industry.

“It offers us the chance to collect history through people’s stories, memories and accounts, to secure and archive insight and knowledge for generations to come.”

Organisers want to hear the roles women played in the industry as well as the social side of the work, including works outings, sports, interest and social groups.

The funded programme - ‘Women and the Glass Industry’ - aims to collect memories and experiences from visitors which will ultimately form part of a new permanent exhibition at the Red House Glass Cone.

Reyahn King, head of HLF West, said: “Sharing Heritage is a wonderful opportunity for communities to delve into their local heritage and we are delighted to be able to offer this grant so that the Women and the Glass Industry team can embark on a real journey of discovery.”

For more information about the Woman in the Glass Industry project, email Sophie Colley at scolley@live.co.uk or call 01384 812745.