Taking a trip back in time for a week celebrating local history

A series of fascinating events have been organised for Local History Week, which this year will celebrate engineering and technology.
By The Newsroom
Published 26th Feb 2016, 12:04 BST
Updated 5th Mar 2016, 05:07 BST
Bennie RailplaneBennie Railplane
Bennie Railplane

The annual event, organised by East Dunbartonshire Libraries, is running from Saturday, March 5, until Saturday, March 12.

Local History Week is a national event that aims to increase awareness of local history and encourage all members of the local community to take part.

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The event is a great way for groups to highlight their local history and for local people to get involved.

A whole range of events celebrating East Dunbartonshire’s rich engineering history have been organised at venues across the area.

Brookwood Library, in Bearsden, will be displaying a series of photographs and articles showcasing the Bennie Railplane - the brainchild of George Bennie (1891-1957).

A prototype of the monorail system was installed at the Burnbrae Dye Works over the LNER railway siding in 1930.

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Then, on Wednesday, March 9, at 7.30pm, local historian Bill Black will explore the extensive use of the River Kelvin and its tributaries as a renewable energy source for past industry in Glasgow, East Dunbartonshire and Stirlingshire in an illustrated talk at Brookwook Library.

Meanwhile, Milngavie Heritage Centre, in Milngavie Town Hall, will be home to an exhibition describing the history of education in Milngavie.

The exhibition has been arranged in conjunction with Douglas Academy, where pupils have been engaged in project work relating to the history of local schools.

Pupil contributions will be included in the exhibition, which will run on Saturday, March 5; Monday, March 7; Tuesday, March 8; Thursday, March 10; Friday, March 11; and Saturday, March 12, between 10am-3.30pm.

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On Saturday, March 12, from 10.30am, a guided walk led by Donald Shankland, will tour the sites of some of the innovative schemes that took place in Milngavie, featuring such personalities as James Watt and John Woodburn.

The 90 minute walk, which will depart from the Milngavie Heritage Centre, will show how Milngavie contributed a great deal to the modern development of Scotland.

For further information about any of the events contact East Dunbartonshire Information & Archives on 0300 123 4510 or email: [email protected]

Related topics:East Dunbartonshire