The Arts & Heritage Team of East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure have been awarded £8,200 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to deliver an exciting project in Busby and Barrhead. The project focuses on the enormous impact the water-powered textile industry made on the development of East Renfrewshire’s towns and villages, and they are currently looking for volunteers who may be interested in participating.

Ebb & Flow: Heritage Lottery Funded Project

The project will offer local people the chance to explore and celebrate the history of this industry in a fun and creative way through free sessions offered in the Duff Memorial Hall in Busby and Arthurlie House, Barrhead. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the historical importance of the textile industry in their local area, take part in printing or weaving workshops and create a unique piece of artwork which will be on permanent display in the venue.

The grant also includes funding for conservation work to be carried out on a rare and beautiful book depicting buildings connected with the area’s industrial past including Arthurlie House itself. There are also plans for an end of project unveiling and celebration which will allow participants to share what they have learned and created with the wider community.

Participation in the workshops is free and no experience is necessary, with activities being held in the Busby Memorial Hall and Arthurlie House at times and dates to be confirmed (September/October 2017), with events scheduled to be run as two separate mini projects. The Arts and Heritage team are looking for volunteers who would be like to take part in one or both of the mini-projects. For more information and to register your interest contact the Arts & Heritage Team at or .