Project Launch February 2015
Paisley's Enchanted Threads
Recently, we held our project launch, which celebrated everything that the project has achieved since it got up and running in April 2014. Thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund, the project has given local people an opportunity to explore their heritage in a pretty unique way. But in doing so, it has brought people together, forged new friendships, and strengthened old ones.
Who would have thought that a project about witches would have generated so much laughter and fun... Our launch event brought together volunteers, respondents, and professionals, and we all had a great afternoon. It allowed the Society to show off the fruits of everyone's hard work, and we are grateful to everyone who has been involved in this special project.
The centre of the project has been the creation of an archive of oral testimony. This will be deposited locally - stay tuned for details! We thank the people in the local community who have given us their time, and the students and staff at the local schools who have warmly welcomed us. From the oral testimony, we were able to produce our community book, which we will be distributing among the local community over the next few weeks; from the oral testimony, Tim Mitchell of Rubikon Pictures was able to produce a film based on the contribution of students and teachers from local schools. Dr Sue Morrison was central to the success of this, and her overall consultation throughout the project was invaluable. Special thanks also go to Arts and Crafts expert Rachel Kelly, and project photographer, Donnie MacLean.
As well as the archive, book, and community events, we are proud of the brilliant artwork that our artists produced. Their work can be enjoyed in our community book, on our Facebook page, and on this website. The project film can also be viewed from this website. The website itself is a special creation, completely unique, and it would not have been possible without the hard work of our talented web designer, Mark W. Downie. Thanks, Mark!
Last, but certainly not least, our launch event gave us a chance to formally thank the wonderful project volunteers, without whom none of this would have been possible. It was they who gathered the community voices that made the archive, book, and website the great successes that they are. The current project may be coming to an end, but the friendships that have been built over its duration will go on.
