Pott Shrigley get a taste of Victorian life

Children from Pott Shrigley Church School’s Class 2 enjoyed a hands-on day at The National Trust’s Quarry Bank Mill this week.

The trip included a tour of the mill with a specific focus on machinery and water power, an opportunity to dress up some of the mill’s workforce and, best of all, a hands-on tour of the Apprentice House where the apprentices had to make the beds, sweep the floor and empty the chamber pots!

Class teacher Miss Millington commented ‘the children have really enjoyed the visit and have gained a real understanding of what life was like in Victorian times to tie in perfectly with our history unit. The staff were wonderful in explaining and engaging the children – I’m looking forward to seeing some inspired writing later in the week.’

Our guide from the Quarry Learning team at the Mill was impressed by children’s inquisitiveness – ‘Pott Shrigley have been a joy to host today – so attentive, questioning and showing fantastic listening skills, one of the brightest groups to visit Quarry Bank in a long while.’

Children were asked to highlight their favourite part of the day:

Lara aged 6 told guide Jen ‘my head is stuffed with knowledge after today’

Finn aged 7 was impressed by the scale of the spinning mule ‘560 bobbins on the spinning mule – there’s only one on my mum’s sewing machine!’ 

I loved looking up the really tall chimney’ – Sofia aged 7

Charlie F aged 6 – ‘I earned 12 shillings – but I didn’t get to keep them!’