An
Introduction to the Projects
The
Shale Villages Project is a 12-month project supported by
the West Lothian LEADER programme and The Heritage Lottery
Fund. The key aim of the project is to celebrate the rich
heritage of the West Lothian Shale Industry. The Shale Oil
Museum will work with local community groups, established
heritage groups, arts groups, local historians, individuals
and volunteers in a series of community-led projects to promote
this unique local industrial heritage.
To date, projects are oral history interviews, photography,
document & archival research, working with the younger
generations to pass on the past. As part of the project the
groups are being trained and mentored in oral history techniques,
the training which will be provided for the duration of the
project. A project is being run by the Mid Calder Camera Club,
whose members are analysing archival photographic material
from the museum archives of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The club will take new complementary images which, it is hoped,
will assist with the historical understanding of the development
of these key areas of West Lothian over the last fifty years.
Other groups are being mentored in Deans, Bridgend and Roman
Camps with further groups being established around the county.
It is hoped that this web site and the following information
on current Shale Villages projects will help to inspire you
to look out those old family photos, to dig out those items
in the attic, to talk to us here at your Shale Oil Museum.
But also, for you to think how you can do your own project
that will help you to better understand your own precious
history, and to make sure it is there for future generations
to enjoy.
John
Holt 27th September 2009
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