Village has its place in the history books
Balfron library is the focal point for week of events
Balfron is taking a step back in time next week with a series of heritage events, many of them centred around the local library.
As a focal point in the life of the village Balfron Library has always offered a wide range of services and has hosted many events over the years.
As part of Stirling’s Off The Page book festival the library is again working with Balfron Heritage Group to produce a series of related events.
From today ( Friday) an exhibition “A Walk Through History” will run, tracing the history of the village from earliest times, through the industrial years of the 19th century to its heyday as a holiday resort.
The exhibition will be accompanied by a display of ‘old objects’ and photographs.
Also, on Saturday at 2pm, the Lost History guided walk of the village will leave the library. The walk is free and lasts around two hours, but can be adapted to suit those taking part.
This will be followed by an opportunity to visit the exhibition and have a cup of tea in the library.
On Tuesday the regular Family History Workshop will be running from 2-4pm. It is a pop-in session and everyone is welcome.
Balfron Heritage Group spokesperson Pat Thomson said: “Anyone interested in finding out more about their roots can pop along and bring any information they may already have so that the best progress can be made.”
On Wednesday (May 11) there will be a free guided walk of the Kirkyard, learning more about its early history and about the lives of some of the families buried there.
The walk will begin at the church gates and lasts around an hour. Again tea will be available afterwards in the library.
On Thursday ( May 12) the monthly Heritage talk will take place at the McLintock Hall at 7.30pm.
This month the speaker will be Glasgow archivist Alistair Tough who will be exploring the history of the Southern General Hospital “from its days as a poorhouse to its time now as a ‘powerhouse’”.
The talk, which is followed by tea, is free to members and £1.50 for visitors.
The week of Heritage activities comes to an end on Friday with an oral history session in the library at 2pm.
Anyone who has early memories of life in the village can go along and have a chat and a cup of tea.
There are many other events taking place during the week in Balfron library. See local adverts or ask at the library for more information.