Focus is on famous foundries in Kirkintilloch

FILM-makers are asking Herald readers with memories of Kirkintilloch’s famous foundries to contribute to a new film on the industry’s history.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th May 2012, 17:07 BST

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East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture Trust has secured a Heritage Lottery Fund grant to employ an ‘artist in residence’ to focus on Kirkintilloch’s industrial past.

Glasgow artist Becky Sik (33) took on the role and is currently shooting the film with the help of three volunteers - James Cuzen from Milton, Paul Monaghan from Kirkintilloch and Lauren Forrest from Lenzie.

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Becky said: “The project started in October last year. We got off the ground with school workshops and open days, but the focus now is on the film.

“We’ve interviewed some fascinating people and found amazing footage filmed inside the foundries, and we’ve also got many interesting pictures.”

Becky’s hoping to have the film finished by October or November and is planning a local screening.

Volunteers James Cuzen (43) and Paul Monaghan (33) got involved in the project after catching the film-making bug.

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James said: “We made a film of our own called ‘A Year in a Day’ and during the process we were struggling to get locations.

“We got in touch with East Dunbartonshire Council and they let us use Cadder Cemetery and the Southbank Marina.”

Meanwhile, Paul heard about the film project while on a visit to Kirkintilloch’s last remaining foundry, Archibald Young Ltd, with the Kirkintilloch Camera Club.

He explained: “Me and James thought we’d volunteer as a way of thanking the council for their help.”

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Now the team are looking for residents’ help to put the finishing touhces to the project.

Becky said: “We are really interested in meeting women who worked in the foundries - particularly in the core making department. It was quite heavy work, but we’ve been told that quite a few women worked there because they were more dextrous than the men. We’d still like to talk to anybody who remembers the foundries though.”

If you would like to help e-mail [email protected]

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