The Duke of Gloucester was transported back in time today as he visited the Black Country Living Museum to open its new attraction.

Prince Richard of Gloucester, who is 18th in line to the throne, visited the Dudley museum to inspect the recently completed Worker’s Institute and declared the adjacent Folkes Park open.

The Duke’s love of vintage cars and motorbikes became clear as he spent several minutes touring the new Black Country Motor Company Ltd building as well as Broome’s Garage.

He was also taken back to his youth by a visit to Hobbs Fish and Chop shop and Morrall’s Gentleman’s Outfitter.

The rebuilding of the institute from Cradley Heath was partly funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the museum curator Jo Moody talked about what a feather in the cap the new building was for the museum.

“It is great to have this institute at the museum and not just because it helped to shape part of the Black Country’s history but because it allows us to delve even deeper in to the past of workers in the area,” she said. It was built with the proceeds from the women chainmakers strike fund in 1910 and everyone gave to this pot of money including Cadburys, authors and local dignitaries.”

Folkes Park is a typical 1930s public park and was constructed on the final piece of derelict land within the museum’s 26 acre site. It was created with a £188, 293 award from Cory Environmental Trust and a £50,00 gift from Folkes Holdings.

Tony George who is a member of the museum’s board and chairman of the Development Trust spent the tour walking with the Duke and hearing his comments about the new attractions.

“The Duke is our patron and he has been very supportive of the museum over the years. In his last visit he opened Rolfe Street and I think the new Worker’s Institute building is a highlight of the museum and is such an interesting building that not only has historic importance, but also adds to our visitors experience,” he said.

These latest attractions form part of the museum’s ongoing £10 million development plan which will see it double in size with a new street based on the 1930s.