Published Thursday 17 July 2025 at 10:59
Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery was filled with a chorus of ‘Happy Birthday’ on Wednesday morning to celebrate an incredible milestone for their longest-serving volunteer.
Richard Croasdale, who has supported the museum for almost 20 years, has just marked his 90th birthday.
To celebrate the feat, he was presented with a special cake, cards and gifts by his friends at the museum – which itself celebrated a ‘big’ birthday last year, marking 150 years since it first opened.
Among Richard’s gifts was a special portrait painted by artist Angela Foote, who was inspired to create a unique present after reading about his devotion to volunteering there.
And such is Richard’s dedication that he didn’t even consider taking a day off after celebrating becoming a nonagenarian at the weekend, along with his wife Marjorie and his loving family.
Extending the birthday wishes, Councillor Quesir Mahmood, Deputy Leader of the Council and Chair of the Board at the Museum, said:
Richard is an incredible person – a true legend at the museum.
He dedicates so much of his time to volunteering and has the most fascinating tales to tell about our borough’s proud connection with the textile industry.
Visitors absolutely love to meet Richard and he’s an important, honorary member of the museum team, very much loved by everyone there.
On behalf of the Council, I would like to wish Richard the happiest of 90th birthdays and once again thank him for everything he does to bring our borough’s rich history to life.
Indeed, Richard is a living link to Blackburn’s industrial past.
His journey began in 1950 when, at just 15, he proudly joined the British Northrop Loom Company Ltd.
The company’s pioneering innovations – particularly the Northrop Loom – helped put Blackburn on the global map for textile production, a legacy still celebrated today.
Richard’s time at Northrop was where he honed his lifelong craft – and where he discovered a passion that still drives him more than seven decades later.
It was that same expertise that led him to the museum, when a loom arrived in pieces and his friend, local historian Jim Halsall, asked for help.
Being interviewed for a feature in the Council’s Shuttle magazine, Richard recalled:
At first, I told him, ‘I’ve got enough to do, thank you very much.’
But Jim insisted it was a job I’d want to do.
And of course, he was right.
But what others thought would take months, Richard pieced together in days.
That project sparked a long love affair with the museum, during which he has restored several looms and become the beating heart of the Lewis Textile Collection.
His warm personality and rich knowledge have made him a firm favourite with staff, visitors – especially schoolchildren.
His meticulous work has earned him a British Museum Award and last year he received a coveted Community Volunteer Award too.
Richard, who was born at Queen’s Park Hospital and, fittingly, raised in Cotton Street, added:
There’s so much history here in Blackburn.
It was once the weaving capital of the world, and I love sharing my stories – especially with young people.
It’s better that they hear it from someone who lived it, rather than just reading it in a book.
Armed with books, photographs and brilliant anecdotes, Richard brings the industrial past vividly to life for the thousands of visitors who pass through the museum’s doors – some travelling from across the globe.
Rebecca Johnson, Arts and Heritage Manager for Blackburn with Darwen Council, said:
Richard is genuinely one of the nicest people you could ever wish to meet.
His dedication to the museum and celebrating the history of Blackburn, is awe-inspiring and we are very grateful for all he continues to do for us.
Richard is very much a special part of the museum family, and we couldn’t let his 90th birthday pass without celebration.
Happy birthday, Richard – from all of your friends at the museum.
Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday from 11am to 4:45pm.
The museum is always free to enjoy.
You can find Richard there most Wednesdays and Thursdays.
To find out more, please visit the museum website: www.blackburnmuseum.org.uk