Filmmaker Alex needs your help

A filmmaker is appealing to Buddies to help him track down the owner of an historic piece of footage.

Alex Cathcart, a former communications lecturer at Paisley’s former Reid Kerr College, is making a film about the life of the town’s political giant William Gallacher.

And he wants to use a film of the politician’s funeral taken by Paisley man William McQuilken.

Mr Cathcart, 75, is trying to locate the owner of the copyright of the film, a copy of which is held by the National Library of Scotland, and is appealing to Paisley Daily Express readers to help him.

He explained: “Copyright lasts for 70 years after the death of the owner.

“William McQuilken was active in the Paisley Trades Council.

“He was also active in the Amalgamated Engineering Union.

“But I don’t know anything about him. “The man is a mystery. “So, if Paisley Daily Express readers know who owns this film, or if there are any of the McQuilken family still around, I’d like them to get in touch.”

William Gallacher was born on Christmas Day 1881 and died on August 12, 1965, having risen to become the first Communist MP.

Mr Cathcart, who has made previous films about Paisley minister John Witherspoon and the Alamo Bar in Caledonia Street, wants his film about Gallacher to have a strong Paisley feel.

If you can help, email Mr Cathcart on kpal2@ mail.com.

It is hoped the film will be made by September. It will be toured all over Renfrewshire and will be available online at Vimeo.com