Youngsters have been learning about the industrial history on their doorstep

Education Glastonbury & Street News History News

Somerset youngsters discover real-life industrial history on their doorstep

Paul JonesNovember 21, 20250 Comment0

HISTORY students transferred their learning to the real world during a site visit in Glastonbury.

Year 8 pupils from Crispin School, in Street, visited a piece of industrial history on their doorstep.

They linked their classroom learning about the Industrial Revolution to local industries in Somerset, visiting the Morlands and Baily’s: Industry and Community in Glastonbury and Street project, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and based at the Red Brick Building in Glastonbury.

There, they learned about important Somerset industries such as sheepskin and leather production, cheesemaking, mining, brickmaking and the peat industry.

Project co-ordinator Alison Horgan teamed up with Crispin head of history David Mason to introduce the day to the whole year group.

Students tallied industries with where they thrived in Somerset

Students then spent the morning investigating how they could use oral histories, photographs and maps to deepen their historical understanding of what it was like to work in various industries in Somerset, and why these industries were – and in some cases still are – essential to the county’s economy and community.

They also had the chance to handle objects such as sheepskin boots, letters and copies of Morlands Magazines and think about the stories associated with these artefacts.

Mr Mason encouraged the students to think about how historical topics that they study as part of the curriculum have a local, and often personal connection. “History isn’t just about kings and battles,” he said. “It is also about the people, places and stories that built the world right here on our doorstep.”

Mrs Horgan highlighted how many students would have family connections with the industries explored and that several of the primary sources had never been studied before.

As a follow up to the day, a group of the Year 8 students will visit the Heritage Cafe in November to chat with older people from our community who worked at Morlands and Baily’s.

The day was part of a larger industrial history project that will be running until October 2026 at the Red Brick Building.

Other activities include a successful monthly Heritage Cafe for people who have an interest in or connection to Morlands or Baily’s, primary school activities and visits to organisations such as Scout groups and care homes.

Volunteers from GWS Radio have been working on recording some interviews with people who go to the Heritage Cafe.

In addition, a small secure archive is being created at the Red Brick Building where all artefacts donated will be organised and stored safely.

Mrs Horgan added: “We are so grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund whose support has made this project possible. We believe it is vital to preserve, celebrate and share our industrial heritage and that working with younger people is a fantastic way to foster local pride and create a sense of belonging.”

The Red Brick Building, originally part of the Morlands sheepskin factory, is now a community and arts hub with a prize-winning community garden.

For more about Morlands and Baily’s: Industry and Community in Glastonbury and Street, contact Mrs Horgan via heritage@redbrickbuilding.co.uk or on 01458 899564.