Labour of love: Black Country Living Museum workers talk about why they love working at the Dudley attraction - with pictures

Every year thousands of visitors flock to the Black Country Living Museum to get insight into past generations lived and worked.

Helping to bring history to life is a dedicated team of more than 270 casual and full-time as well as dedicated team of almost 180 volunteers.

Here are 12 members of the team who are passionate about both the Black Country and their work:

Showing excited school groups around the 26-acre site is Lucy Elliott's job.

As a learning assistant, she is on hand to share her knowledge of the Black Country with youngsters of all ages as well as answer their questions so they can get the most from their visit.

The 29-year-old, who has working for the attraction for six years, loves the variety the job brings.

"No day is ever the same. I may get asked the same questions but they are never asked in the same way.

"Some groups will be very quiet and there will be no questions. Others are more inquisitive and I might talk for five minutes and spend 20 minutes answering questions.

"I love that they are still really excited about stuff and being able to help teach them something is great," said Lucy, who lives in Halesowen.

When something needs fixing, David Mullett is one of the maintenance team on call to help.

With a background in carpentry and joinery, he started working at the museum three years ago.

From broken chairs to worn out window frames, jobs needing attention will be reported to him so that it can make them look like new again.

It is one of the many 'behind the scenes' roles that help to keep the museum looking it's best.

And if it's one of the site's many historic properties, he will make sure the repair is in keeping with the building's character.

"Anything to do with wood is my responsibility. It's what I've always done since leaving school.

"It might be windows, doors, chairs, tables or shop fitting," explained the 56-year-old, who lives in Quarry Bank.

"One of the bonuses very day is different - it's much better than doing the same thing all day every day," added David.

Jane Allcock is responsible for co-ordinating all of the museum's successful events from the hugely popular Peaky Blinders nights to the spooky Halloween entertainment.

She is also one of the museum's longest-serving members of staff having started 31 years ago as a groundskeeper.

"I used to get involved in the Christmas events because it was a quieter time in the gardens but then over time it evolved into a full-time position and I became the events co-ordinator 11 years ago.

"I love working at the museum. If you cut me open, like a stick of Blackpool rock, it would say Black Country Living Museum ," said Jane.

It can be a stressful role with responsibility for ensuring everything comes together resting on her shoulders as well as praying for good weather.

But she thrives on the pressure and says it's all worth it when she sees visitors enjoying themselves.

"It's all about helping people to create memories. We have a great backdrop for events and it's all about giving people a good day out. I've witnessed two wedding proposals while I have been here.

"The most important thing is to always have a Plan B - the MET Office is my best friend.

"We need plan what we are going to do if the weather isn't good. But through rain, shine and even snow, we've always carried on and made sure people have a good time," said the 51-year-old from Bloxwich.

One of the site's small army of volunteers is David Ball, who retired from the dairy industry, after 43 years, in February.

Since April, he has been lending a hand two days a week helping to welcome visitors to the houses and shops around the museum.

"I had always wanted to volunteer at the museum. I was born and bred in Bilston so the Black Country is very important to me.

"My favourite is the Cast Iron House, which is furnished from the 1940s and has such a lot of history," said the 65-year-old.

Jordan Holloway also began working at the museum as a volunteer four years ago. His love of 'anything with an engine and wheels' led to him being taken on as a transport apprentice in 2015.

The mechanic impressed everyone so much that last year he was awarded the title of Apprentice of the Year by the Black Country Chamber of Commerce.

His job sees him carry out vital repairs on the attraction's big collection of vintage buses, trams, cars and motorbikes.

"It's interesting and can be challenging too. A lot of the time you have to figure out what is wrong with it and how you are going to fix it.

"We make a lot of parts ourselves because you can't pop down to Halfords to get one, I like figuring out what is wrong with them and also driving them. The green Kieft is one of my favourites to drive," says the 20-year-old.

Another member of the transport team is Geoff 'Bramwell' Payne who can often be found ferrying passengers around the site in a vintage vehicle.

"If it's got wheels, I drive it. I'm a vintage petrolhead so I'm being paid to enjoy my hobby and I'm the envy of all of my petrolhead mates," said Geoff who has been at the museum for 13 years.

One of the highlights of him was getting behind the wheel of a 1903 12hp Sunbeam

"I had the pleasure and privilege of driving this car - it was both nerve-wracking and exhilarating. It's not every day you get to drive a car like that so I definitely enjoyed it," said the 50-year-old from Burton.

He says he loves every minute of his job adding: "There is 100 per cent job satisfaction. I enjoy answering question everything from 'why is this red?' to 'how does this engine work?'.

"A lot of people are surprised when they see me get out of these vehicles because I'm 6ft4 and they are a little compact but I've learned that if I'm going to enjoy my hobby I need to learn to fold myself up to drive in comfort, added Geoff.

Horse handler Chris Turton looks after horse Danny and pony Charlie, who can often be seen grazing in a field by the fairground.

Charlie will soon be given a new role as a pit pony on the Colliery tub tramway which is currently being restored.

"He's exactly the type of pony that would have been used. It's going to be quite exciting when it's finished," said the 53-year-old who lives in Wednesbury.

Chris, who also spends time in the brass foundry, has been working at the museum for 10 years.

"It's a fantastic place to work and I'm passionate about telling people the story of the Black Country," he said.

Sparks fly when Matt Addams is at work - he carries out chain-making demonstrations for visitors.

He began as a volunteer three years but he impressive work in the forge led to him being given a job.

The 35-year-old also takes part in some of the museum's events such as playing an Italian mobster at the Peaky Blinders nights and helping with the set design for the Halloween festivities.

He also has a way with wildlife having befriended a robin which visits the site and sits on his hand.

"I enjoy what I do. I like making different tools and pieces for the museum. It can get very hot while I'm working but I've gotten used to it now and my hands have toughened up,"said Matt, who lives in Tipton.

For the past six years, it has been Tracey Forrest's job to help bring to life the Black Country's canal heritage.

She carries out demonstrations on the canal boats and dock.

"This job has brought me a love of the water and of boats. love it here. Every day is different because you get different people visiting and we do get visiting boats from time to time.

"I enjoy telling people about the history and how a family lived in such a very small living space. That family side of history interests me," said the 38-year-old from Quarry Bank.

Curator Grant Bird is settling into his new role in domestic and cultural life team.

"I had been working in marketing for 17 years but decided to move back home to the Black Country from London.

"I was a volunteer for 18 months because I've always been interested in the museum," he said.

Part of his role includes cataloguing items that are donated to the attraction as well as any new acquisitions.

The team will also ensure that items on display across the site are well looked after as well as those in the stores.

"I enjoy the variety. It's great to be working so closely with all of these different and interesting items. We are also working with other teams to tell this important story of the Black Country, said the 50-year-old, from Sedgley.

Looking after visitors who venture underground is mine manager Pete Myatt.

He began working at the museum eight years ago after retiring from his job as a service manager for a forklift company.

The 64-year-old helps to run tours of the mine and 25 people at a time can take the trip to experience what life would have been like for a coal miner.

"We see 600 people a day. We get them ready by giving them a safety talk and talk to them about what it was like 160 years ago when people had to work 12 hours a day, six days a week.

"It always surprises people when we tell them that children as young as six or seven would have been working 12 hours a day too.

"I've always been interested in history. I'm originally from Darlaston so I have grown up with all of these stories that we are telling here," he said.

Pete, who now lives in Pedmore, has another job as film supervisor, looking after film and television crews whenever are shooting at the attraction.

He makes sure they have everything they need while filming.

"It's interesting watching it all come together and when you see it on screen.

"You realise how much time goes into making it when you see a 30-second scene, which you know took four hours to film! It gives you a great insight," he said.

Working at the museum is a dream come true for Pam Woodall, who is part of the food and drink team with responsibility for Rolfe Street Cafe. As soon as she set eyes on the attraction 20 years ago, she knew that one day she wanted to join the team.

"I first visited the museum with my children and I loved it. I knew I wanted to work here but the jobs are so coveted that I had to wait a long time until a job came up that I was suitable for.

"When it did and I got the job I couldn't believe it. I love it here," said the 48-year-old.

During the six years she has been at the attraction the mother-of-two has also worked in the cake shop, the sweet shop and the greengrocers.

"The cake shop is my favourite because I make all of my own cakes," said Pam, who is also involved in the hosting of conference events.

Helping visitors get the most out of their visit is important to her. "I've made it my mission to know about different areas of the museum so that if a visitor asks me a question I can give them some information and tell them where to go to find out more. It's nice to be able to help," added Pam.