IT started as a little exhibition in a village cottage.

But over the years the volunteer-run Colne Valley Museum has earned a name as the region’s authentic Victorian village experience.

Now the museum at Cliffe Ash, Golcar, is celebrating its 40th birthday starting this weekend with ‘It’ll Never Catch On In Golcar’, an exhibition of the museum’s history.

The exhibition will feature photographs, minute books, newspaper cuttings and oral histories charting the ups and downs of the museum.

It will include unusual artefacts including a working loom and a replica of the clogs in which George VI was christened.

The exhibition is one of a seven-month series of events to celebrate the museum’s 40th year, culminating in a birthday dinner party for museum members in June 2011.

The next event is Stir Up Sunday on November 21 (2–5pm) when visitors can help Mrs Sykes make her Christmas Puddings, buy one to take home and learn about other Victorian Christmas traditions.

As a thank you to the museum’s visitors and volunteers entry is free throughout the celebration period.

Colne Valley Museum (CVM) opened in November 1970 in a cottage donated by Golcar Socialist Club.

Since then the museum, which is housed in three Grade II listed cottages, has attempted to bring the 1850s to life with Victorian costume evenings, craft weekends, street fairs, clog marathons, musical soirees and Christmas parties.

In 1972 its profile was boosted greatly when the museum won the Industrial Archaeology competition on the BBC2 programme Chronicle, hosted by the late Magnus Magnusson.

CVM has undergone numerous revamps and refits including the Museum Restoration Project which ran for four years.

It has picked up numerous awards including, most recently, The Sandford Award for Excellence in Heritage Education.

It is estimated that 100,000 children will visit CVM during its birthday celebration period.

CVM publicity officer Anne Lord said: “The name ‘It’ll Never Catch On In Golcar’ is from what we were told at the time.

“We were told we needed £20,000 (about £230,000 in today’s money) and experts in looking after the archives and exhibits.

“But we’ve managed it and led the way in the independent museum sector.

“We’ve an exciting programme lined up to celebrate our anniversary and hopefully lots of people will join us.”

For more information of Colne Valley Museum see: www.colnevalleymuseum.org.uk or call: 01484 659 762.