Tuesday, 15 May 2012

Campaign for Arctic Convoy Medal

Campaign to recognise WWII Arctic convoy veterans

Winston Churchill said the arctic convoy mission was "the most dangerous journey in the world"

Veterans Minister Keith Brown has joined calls for official recognition for sailors who took part in Arctic convoys during the Second World War.

He is due to meet some of the surviving Scottish sailors who risked their lives delivering vital supplies to Russia.

Their ships sailed from Loch Ewe in the north west Highlands to re-supply the Soviet ports of Murmansk and Archangel.

Men involved in the campaign are trying to persuade the UK government to award them a special medal.

Sunday, 13 May 2012

Arctic Convoy Medal Proposed

This news should please David Craig and all who served on the Arctic Convoys. David spoke to us in October 2011. (See earlier post)

Scottish minister calls for Arctic veterans medal

More than 3,000 men serving on the convoys were killed

World War II veterans who served on Arctic convoys should be given a dedicated campaign medal, Scottish government minister Keith Brown said.

The transport and housing minister described the current situation as a "scandal".

More than 3,000 seamen died in Operation Dervish, which saw supplies delivered to the Soviet ports of Murmansk and Archangel.

The UK government is looking into calls for a special medal.

Tuesday, 1 May 2012

New Blog on Local and Family History

A new Family and Local History blog has been launched on the National Library of Scotland website.

Written by staff in the Reference Services team, the blog will highlight Scottish material in the collection which may be of interest to local and family historians.

With frequent updates, it will also provide links to external resources which have interesting information on this subject. Current posts provide information as diverse as details of readers' workshops, the 'Statistical Account for Scotland', mining deaths and Scots in Argentina and Patagonia.

Wednesday, 18 April 2012

Local History Conference - Glasgow

Saturday 19 May 2012

9.45 - 16.00

Maryhill Burgh Halls, Gairbraid Avenue, Glasgow

www.maryhillburghhalls.org.uk/location/ Link to Web Page

SLHF is organising a Workshop for Local History Societies, Organisations and Members, to include short talks, societies’ displays, networking. Some proposed topics (to be confirmed) are:

PROGRAMME
The programme will be updated as additional talks by local history groups are offered.

09.45-10.15 REGISTRATION & COFFEE

10.15-12.30 Morning Session

LOCAL HISTORY AND THE WIDER WORLD

• Stained glass panels in Maryhill Burgh Hall - Bill Black
• Local History & Tourism - Iain Arnott (Manager, Mugdock Country Park)
• Heritage Centres - Seumus Coleman (Croy Heritage Centre)
• Local History Week and similar events
• Society Publications Programme
• Local History in Schools - Colin Castle
• Affiliated Societies and SLHF – introduction & discussion of SLHF Constitution changes, led by Finlay McKichan

12.30-14.00 LUNCH
(Not included, but soup and sandwiches etc are available at the cafe in Maryhill Burgh Halls.)

14.00-16.00 Afternoon Session

LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETIES

• About SLHF - John Irvine (SLHF Chair)
• Organising a Local Area Forum
• Starting a Local History Group
• Local Groups’ Reports:
o North Kessock and District Local History Society. Exhibitions, work with schools, and books.
o Kirkcudbright History Society. Kirkcudbright Kirkyard Trail.
• Early Maritime Research Project Proposal - Eric Graham (SLHF).

Discussion

16.30 CLOSE

Come and meet other local history enthusiasts!

If you are a member of a local history group and would like to present a short talk on your activities, or hire a display table, please indicate this on the booking form.

Cost: £10 (includes morning tea/coffee).

The full programme & booking forms available from the SLHF Administrator.or email johnwirvine@aol.com for a booking form

Societies wishing to book a display table (free to members; £25.00 for non-members) or give a short talk should contact the SLHF Administrator:

SLHF Administrator, Box 103, 12 North Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1DD

Wednesday, 11 April 2012

KDHG hits the Big Four Oh

We were founded in 1972 and still going strong.
Just asked our 110+ Twitter followers what they think the most significant historical event in that time has been.
What do you think?
Reply via the Blog, Facebook or Twitter ( @Killie_History )

Tuesday, 3 April 2012

Johnnie Walker Leaves Kilmarnock

The historic link between Kilmarnock and Johnnie Walker whisky has come to an end after 192 years.

On Friday 23 March 2012, the last Red Label whisky was bottled at the Hill Street premises.

Of course it was no longer a family or even a local company. The world-famous brand had been taken over by the global drinks company Diageo which has no emotional ties to the town that gave the world the "walking man". Perhaps their next "restructuring" will take Guinness production away from Dublin??

These emotive photgraphs were taken by Graham Boyd at Sandy Stoddart's statue of Johnnie Walker in Strand Street.

Monday, 2 April 2012

Dean Castle Closed.

Dean Castle closure

02 Apr 2012 09:28:39
Dean Castle will be closed to the general public until further notice due to structural damage to the old Gatehouse buildings.
The country park and visitor centre will remain open as normal.
East Ayrshire Council apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.