Could you take on some of the the worst children’s jobs in history?

Could you take on some of the the worst children’s jobs in history at Quarry Bank Mill?

Inspired by Tony Robinson’s Worst Jobs series and using research from Quarry Bank’s archive, children will be able to test their mettle against some of the most exhausting, dirtiest and disgusting jobs imaginable.

“This experience will tell you things you probably didn’t want to know about the back-breaking, puke-inducing bits of being a child in the past,” said Kate Picker, of the National Trust.

“We have recreated some of the jobs that used to be part of the daily life of child workers at Quarry Bank and given them a modern twist.”

Tony Robinson, famous for television roles in Blackadder and Time Team, will attend the launch.

He added: “I delved into the worst jobs in history to shed light on a previously unsung army of workers who helped shape the world as we know it and that certainly describes the child workers at Quarry Bank. It will be great to be a part of this experience for a day at Quarry Bank because it will no doubt educate and entertain thousands of children over the summer.”

At the launch event over the bank holiday weekend families will learn through interactive shows how child workers were once the backbone of the mill at Quarry Bank and carried out such jobs as catching moles, scaring birds and twisting cotton.

Much of the work took place in the mill and was often dangerous as well as dirty. ‘Piercers’ had to dodge the moving machinery of the spinning mules as they stuck together broken pieces of cotton while stokers’ skin would burn as they shovelled coal into the boiler.

Free tickets for the launch shows are available at nationaltrust.org.uk/quarry-bank. The event runs until September 10.