Chapelhall residents revisit memory lane

Local history project

Visitors to Chapelhall library rolled back the years and wandered down memory lane as part of a reminiscence project.

They enjoyed seeing a host of old photographs, maps and even nostalgic items including a traditional gird and cleek toy as the library launched its memory lane project.

Staff from Culture NL’s libraries and museums have teamed up and are displaying items and documents from years gone by to create “reminiscence corners” – and are also encouraging local residents to bring in their own items to add to the exhibitions.

Nearly 30 visitors attended Thursday’s session to “celebrate the history of Chapelhall”, and resource development librarian Lynn Clark told the Advertiser: “It’s great to hear people chatting and sharing their memories, and it was a wonderful day.

“We had a really good response, and we hope to go on to produce a reminiscence rerouse and to put up a memory lane area in each library as a talking point.

“Now we’re hoping people will bring in items to donate, like gala programmes, pictures of shops and streets, or toys which used to be in fashion and remind people of those crazes from their childhood.

“We don’t have so much in terms of recent history items and it would be great to have more, to preserve them and for the community to see – it’s a good way of enhancing the collections.”

The library service also visits nursing homes to delight residents with nostalgic pictures, items and even a special “smells box” to further evoke memories.

Lynn added: “We’re delighted it’s been so popular and it’s great for people to reminisce and see how things have changed.”

The memory lane project has already been launched in Coatbridge and will be launched in the coming months at Airdrie.