Spotlight on… CLYDEBANK LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY
Clydebank Local History Society was formed in 1977, thanks to the energy of a group of Clydebank local historians, led by the late Wallace McIntyre. Elizabeth Pitts is the current Chair.
The local area of West Dunbartonshire has an outstanding and continuous stream of history, including the neolithic, iron age, Roman and Viking. Clydebank has a proud industrial past and it was in 1977, after the closure of its major industries including most of the shipyards and the Singer sewing machine factory - that Clydebank Local History Society was formed.
The society’s stated aims are to create greater awareness of the history, culture and heritage of Clydebank and to encourage the preservation, development and improvement of features of general public amenity and historic interest. The society actively intervenes when it considers that local heritage needs protection, or when it feels that it can contribute constructively to plans that include a local history context.The society produces a newsletter two or three times a year and runs a series of ten lectures between October and March on a wide range of topics, not always ‘local’ history but always of historic interest and in a Scottish context. It also continues to operate a library of around 100 local history books which can be loaned to members. Regular enquiries from the public are received through the website, on a great range of topics concerning Clydebank and area, and its inhabitants past and present.
Post-covid, the society hopes to resume its annual coach outings to sites of historic interest that are further afield; collaborate with other local heritage groups to establish a network for mutual enrichment and the sharing of knowledge; and to continue its interest in local issues concerned with local history. Further information is on the website: www. clydebankhistory.org.