Poole Museum presents 'Men of Iron'

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Poole Museum's latest exhibition, which is being hosted at Lighthouse, Poole, honours the faces, stories and craftsmanship of Poole's Foundry workers, 40 years on from its closure.

This evocative collection captures an important piece of Poole's industrial history, paying tribute to the people who made the foundry their life's work.

'Men of Iron' began in 1985 as a student project led by Geoff Drury from Bournemouth and Poole College of Art and Design, who tasked his students with capturing the foundry's operations, its robust machinery, and the dedication of the people who worked there.

The project took on a profound significance when the foundry, a longstanding ironworks located next to St. James Church in Poole's Old Town, announced it would close its doors in 1985. The resulting photographs became an endearing tribute to the men and women at the heart of Poole's industrial heritage.

Forty years on, Poole Museum is bringing this historical collection back to life at Lighthouse, Poole, in an exhibition that captures the heart and soul of the community.

Alongside the photographs, Poole Museum will display artefacts from the foundry, including protective gear, castings, and moulds used daily by the workers, and Poole Museum volunteers have been interviewing the original photographers for a selection of oral histories included as part of the exhibition.

The exhibition is free to enter between 10am-8pm when Lighthouse is open, with visitors advised to check before travelling.

Poole Museum will be hosting some special events during the exhibition, including Dementia-Friendly Tours, Creative Writers Workshops and a Curators Talk and Tour. Booking for these events is essential - further details can be found on the website.

Image credit: Gary Norman