Former workers at factories across Dumbarton, the Vale, and the rest of West Dunbartonshire have been asked to share their memories of the area’s time as a famed industrial powerhouse for a new heritage project.
The Accessing and Exploring Our Heritage scheme is run by West Dunbartonshire Council’s Libraries and Cultural Services department, and will collect and record new oral histories from people who worked at some of the key industries in the area, helping to preserve the stories for the future.
Organisations the area is famous for – such as the Singer Manufacturing Company, John Brown Shipyard, Denny Brothers, and United Turkey Red – will form part of the project, but the department’s heritage team is also interested to hear memories from those who worked for some of the lesser known companies in the area, such as D&J Tullis, Dawson and Downie, Dennystown Forge, and Westclox.
Andrew Graham, heritage team collections officer, said: “The memories and stories that the heritage team collect will be used to create an educational resource for schools and the community that will help to ensure future generations continue to learn about, and explore, West Dunbartonshire’s amazing industrial heritage.
“Working in collaboration with the Clydebank Campus of West College Scotland, the Libraries and Cultural Services’ heritage team believe by collecting and recording these oral history testimonies we will be better able to showcase the huge part that the people of West Dunbartonshire played in making the area a global industrial powerhouse. The heritage team is keen to hear from anyone who would be interested in recording their working life memories and contributing to an invaluable resource.” The department secured funding from the Heritage Lottery to develop the new project.
Anyone interested in taking part and who is willing to share their working life experiences with a project interviewer is urged to contact the heritage team.
Contact should be made with Mr Graham on 01389 772149 or andrew.graham2@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
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