New Photography Exhibition

On March 14th, the Loughborough Bellfoundry Museum celebrated the opening of its latest exhibition, ‘Focus on the Foundry.’ This six-month showcase highlights the extensive restoration of John Taylor’s Bellfoundry through captivating photographs taken by local volunteers during workshops led by Mass Collective.

The exhibition launch brought together staff from John Taylor & Co, photographers from Mass Collective, and local heritage experts to honor three years of dedicated volunteer work. The project, funded by a vital lottery grant, aimed to capture the transformation of the Bellfoundry, offering a unique behind-the-scenes look at the restoration process.

Located in the museum’s activity room, the exhibition features striking photographs capturing key moments of the restoration alongside a video displaying the progress of the project. Luca Piffaretti from Mass Collective remarked, “The John Taylor Bellfoundry is a photographer’s dream—a living museum of industrial history, filled with machinery, bells, and tools that tell their own story. Leading these workshops over three years has been an incredible journey, watching volunteers develop their skills while forming deep connections with the space and the people working in it.”

‘Focus on the Foundry’ invites visitors to explore the complexities of heritage restoration through the lens of those who documented the process, providing a powerful insight into one of Loughborough’s most significant restoration projects.