Trust opens latest display

Last weekend saw the opening of the latest exhibition from the John Hastie Museum Trust.

Opening on June 4 in The Strathaven Town Mill Arts and Heritage Centre, ‘Echoes of Strathaven’s Past’ is the new summer exhibition and will be open for an initial fortnight, until Sunday, June 19.

The theme of the exhibition is weaving, with youngsters who come along being given the chance to try it out for themselves.

However, the Trust plans to continue the exhibition throughout the school summer holidays – an extension which organisers say has proved very popular during its previous summer exhibitions.

It is free to enter the gallery, which is open on weekdays between 10am and 4pm, Saturdays between 10am and 5pm, and Sundays between 1.30pm and 5pm.

Gordon Mcallan, one of the event organisers said: “The main theme of the exhibition is Weaving, the local industry which put the Town of Strathaven firmly on the industrial map, especially during the 18th and 19th centuries.

“The special attraction of this exhibition, within the weaving theme, is for visitors, including young people, to try weaving for themselves.

“There will be simple looms available for you to try your hand and professional demonstrations are being arranged – look out for details.

“Students from our schools will be coming along to enjoy the display, and to try weaving, too.

“The Strathaven John Hastie Museum Trust is committed to new research into the life of our community.

“Two Trust members have been working on a very detailed study of local farmsteads, using old maps and public records, as well as the recollections of local folk.

“Their work is truly unique – it has been described as ‘a modern Domesday Book’. The Trust is very proud of their achievement and you can see why when you visit the exhibition.”