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Enjoy some peace and tranquilli­ty at Knock Castle

- Robert Mitchell

Low Parks Museum have been handed almost £20,000 to help preserve their Cameronian­s collection.

The Hamilton venue houses artefacts and records relating to the famous old Lanarkshir­e regiment.

And last week, Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) announced a funding package of £19,140.

A spokespers­on for MGS said: “The Cameronian­s collection at Hamilton’s Low Parks Museum spans a wide variety of objects from all over the world that trace the history of a unique regiment.

“The collection contains many personal items which belonged to officers and soldiers of the regiment, such as letters, diaries, and eyewitness accounts.

“However, much of this important archive is still relatively unexplored. This MGS funding will allow the museum to catalogue the archive, ensuring its preservati­on while laying the foundation­s for further digitisati­on projects to add to the museum’s online collection­s browser and website.”

Other initiative­s across Lanarkshir­e also received funding from MGS, who are sharing £310,000 worth of funding across Scotland.

Culture North Lanarkshir­e received £3000 for their ‘War: Exploring the Somme’ project.

They are planning to help school children learn more about how the First World War affected their ancestors and community. Working with schools and artists, they will tell the story of Lanarkshir­e and the Battle of the Somme through talks drama, music and visual art.

They will focus on the story of Bellshill piper James Cleland Richardson, who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his efforts during the Battle of the Somme.

On October 8, 1916, James’s company went ‘over the top’ at Regina Trench, at the Somme, and suffered intense enemy fire while caught up in concentrat­ions of barbed wire.

Despite the danger, however, James played his pipes relentless­ly while walking outside the wire. His immense bravery inspired his comrades, who rushed and captured the enemy position.

Later the same day, James was assisting wounded comrades and escorting enemy prisoners when he realised he had left his pipes behind. Tragically, as he was trying to retrieve them, he was killed. He was 20 years old. His courage was honoured with a Victoria Cross,

Meanwhile, the Royal Burgh of Lanark Museum Trust picked up £2460 for their Clydesdale at War initiative.

MGS will support the museum in undertakin­g visits to schools and community groups to discuss the impact of the First World War on Clydesdale. Through discussion­s and looking at objects from the collection, the museum plan to understand the effect the war had on their people.

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 ??  ?? VC winner James Cleland Richardson
VC winner James Cleland Richardson
 ??  ?? Museum Low Parks
Museum Low Parks

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