EXCITEMENT is building in Bradford on Avon towards the return of historic rubber rolling machine the Iron Duke after a free open day was held on Sunday to celebrate its homecoming.

More than 40 people, both young and old, attended the 2-4pm Preservation Trust and museum's event which involved the initiation of volunteering projects, in a film and musical sense, workshops and a glimpse into life at Kingston Mills from 1849-1973.

The idea of the event, also organised by the group Avon Works, is to drum up excitement for the Iron Duke's return in July.

Youngsters from St Laurence School and Wiltshire Music Centre will get the chance to create a piece of music based on factory sounds, devise street poetry, make a film about life in the town with former Avon rubber factory workers and also a journalism project.

David Moss, chairman of the town's Preservation Trust, said: "The purpose was to get people involved and spread the message about this and I think it delivered that. There was a clear enthusiasm for getting this splendid machine back. Younger people felt this was a good thing to be part of."

This project has been made possible courtesy of grants from Heritage Lottery Fund, the Arts Council’s PRISM fund, Wiltshire Council, Bradford on Avon Town Council and its area board totalling just short of £90,000.

Chairman of Bradford on Avon's Community Area Network, Jim Lynch, said: The event was very well attended. What was most encouraging was that everybody stayed, engaged in a whole variety of discussions and signed up to various projects. It's a great start to what promises to be a very exciting year.

Just £9,000 is needed to bring the first rubber rolling machine, which is currently unassembled in Bristol's industrial museum, in Europe back to Bradford on Avon after 43 years away.

Colin Kay, Community Engagement Chairman of the Iron Duke Community Engagement Projects, said: “This is a chance for the whole community to get involved in this unique once-in-a-generation project. We are confident the project will help both young people and the older generation in Bradford on Avon to together create a lasting tribute to the Avon Rubber Factory."

Named after the Duke of Wellington, the 12ft, 16 tonne machine, which should return to the town in July before being completed in September, played a central part in the Avon Rubber Factory over 150 years ago.

Museum treasurer Chris Dale said: "This is a very exciting time. We have been trying to achieve this for some 25 years and the fact that we have almost reached our monetary target is just brilliant.

For more information about the Avon Works online platform visit http://bit.ly/1T7cUHC