INTERNATIONALLY renowned Wollaston artist Luke Perry has reoponed his historic chainmaking shop up to the public.

Over sixty people turned up to his Mushroom Green chainmaking shop, Quarry Road, Saltwells, on Sunday to get a slice of living history.

Mr Perry, aged 28, will now open up the shop every second Sunday of the month from 2.30pm until 5pm.

He said: “We thought the weather would put people off but there was a hell of a turn out and it turned out to be a real community event in Mushroom Green.

“I wouldn’t call myself an expert chainmaker so it was great that so many people who had worked in the industry turned up and shared their experiences of this important piece of Black Country heritage.”

Entrance into the chainmaking shop is free and visitors can also enjoy a wander around Mushroom Green which is just as it was at the turn of the 20th century.

As well as Mr Perry local chainmaker Mick Bradney and his historian wife Annette were also on hand to show visitors the secrets of chainmaking.

Mr Perry said: ”We have had a bit of vandalism lately but we are not letting that stop us opening every second Sunday of the month until October.

Mr Perry’s current project is creating a sculpture of legendary chainmaking striker Mary Macarthur which will be erected in Cradley Heath.

He said: “It is pretty intense at the moment doing the statue and the other figures which will surround it but it should be finished by next month with plenty of time ahead of when it is unveiled in June.”

The Wollaston artist also announced he will be shunning the limelight for the foreseeable future after a successful foray into television.

He said: “I loved working on the tv programmes but it took me away from my family and my work so I will not be doing any soon unless someone wants to make a documentary about me and my work in the Black Country.”

For more information about the chainmaking shop visit www.industrialheritagestronghold.co.uk.