A RETIRED glassmaker has been named number one volunteer at a new Stourbridge glass museum created from the ashes of the factory where he began his career.

Malcolm Andrews, from Wordsley, is now bringing the past to life at the new Webb Corbett Visitor Centre in Amblecote as he looks back on a sparkling 55 year in the glass industry.

Mr Andrews, aged 70, worked at the old Webb Corbett glassmaking factory from the age of 15 until 1988 - but he first visited the site at the age of just three as his father also dedicated 50 years to working in the glass industry.

Working under the mentorship of glass industry figure Frank Austin from 1957, Mr Andrews became the youngest employee of Webb Corbett to have his own glassmaking chair while only in his mid 20s; and just a few years later, still in his 20s, he took over as chief glassmaker - a position he held until he left in 1988.

Mr Andrews went on to lecture at the then International Glass Centre in Brierley Hill (part of Dudley College) where he taught some of the artists that are now in buisiness across Stourbridge’s Glass Quarter.

After a decade of helping to train the glassmakers of tomorrow, many of whom were employed by Webb Corbett and subsequently Royal Doulton, Malcolm was invited to work at Gozo Glass in Malta to help improve the glass techniques of the young workforce.

He spent three years travelling back and forth from Malta before taking a job as a delivery driver and garage worker at Travel West Midlands where he remained until his retirement in 2008.

Since then he has been busy honouring his glassmaking roots by supporting Black Country glass events - including presenting the award for Best in Show at the 2012 British Glass Biennale.

These days he takes visitors back to the past at the new Webb Corbett Visitor Centre, based on the site of the Ruskin Glass Centre, off Wollaston Road, offering insightful tours and anecdotes about the former factory.

He said: “I just love sharing my knowledge and memories after having a relationship with the site for so many years.

“I really enjoy talking to visitors and try to bring the exhibits to life.

“I feel it is my role to help preserve the heritage of Stourbridge glass production and surrounded by this collection of glassmaking artefacts, it is like I’ve never left the factory.”

The visitor centre is open from 10am to 3pm - Tuesday to Saturday.

Anyone interested in volunteering can call glass heritage officer Ian Dury on 01384 399466 or email ian@ruskinglasscentre.co.uk