Tributes after Bridgnorth museum curator dies at 78

Ken Perkins, who died on November 11, became interested in the museum, which is run by Bridgnorth and District Historical Society, after helping his wife Sylvia, to whom he was married for more than 40 years.

Mrs Perkins, of Ludlow Road, said he was the right person for the job at the time, bringing the skills he'd forged as a project manager to helping the museum modernise.

Mr Perkins was born in Stourport, where he grew up and spent most of his early life.

The mechanical engineer worked at National Standard in Kidderminster, becoming a project manager and spending 30 years with the company before retiring in 1997.

During his time with the company he travelled the world, visiting countries including South Africa, the United States, China, Brussels and Yugoslavia.

It was while he was with National Standard that he won the British Gas West Midlands regional award in gas energy management.

After retiring he used his skills to revitalise the Northgate Museum, bringing it into the 21st century.

Mrs Perkins said: "I sort of dragged him there to help me. I was doing some volunteering. I wanted to know about some of the materials I was working on and he knew all about that as an engineer.

"He came, he stayed and started to refurbish it in about 2002. When the curator retired Ken stepped into his shoes."

Mr Perkins had strong ideas about how the museum could be improved, and started applying for grants that would make it the best it could be.

Recognising that the Northgate could only be reached by steps, he launched a project to digitise many of the items they have on display.

Now even those who can't get up the stairs are able to enjoy much of the collection on the museum's website.

He had key items repaired, new cabinets put in, signs and CCTV installed and UV covering the windows to protect the artefacts from the light.

Mr Perkins was curator when the museum was given accreditation by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.

Mrs Perkins said: "He was very proud when accreditation was given, and it was well earned."

David Bradley, a member of the historical society, said: "Ken was a cheerful, hardworking friend and gentleman. The museum is a fine reminder of a great man."

Mr Perkins' funeral will take place on Wednesday, December 7, from 12pm at Wyre Forest Crematorium.