Community Collaboration as HM Prison Dumfries supports making Props for the Medieval Market and Fayre as part of the 750th Anniversary Celebrations of the Birth of Robert the Bruce.
In 2024, the Medieval Bruce Heritage Trust, in partnership with The People’s Project Dumfries, The Imaginarium and The Gallovidian way, alongside local community groups and businesses will be celebrating 750th Anniversary of the Birth of Robert the Bruce. The programme of events will showcase the influential and pivotal role Dumfries & Galloway played in the life and times of the Bruce, and its significant impact on Scottish Medieval History.
At the end of January this year, planning started to build props for the Medieval Market and Fayre which will take place in Dumfries on weekend 13th & 14th July – the closest to the birthday of Robert the Bruce. Discussions began with community groups across the region and HM Prison, Dumfries agreed to make a set of stocks and a face in the hole board for photo opportunities over the weekend to support the project. As the project developed, the team building the props enjoyed the project so much that they also asked if they could make a throne for Robert the Bruce and 12 shields with coats of arms of local medieval families.
The materials needed were sourced from local businesses after a letter was drafted explaining the project and how it was offering support to communities and businesses rallied round to offer donations. The team on the project would like to thank MKM, James Jones, James Kingan of New Abbey and Wickes for donations of wood. Many thanks also to Johnstone Paints, Wickes and Kinderhouse Childcare for donations of varnish and paints.
Anne Simpson of The People’s Project, who was the liaison with the prison said, “It was a pleasure working with HM Prison Dumfries, staff and inmates. The enthusiasm and creativity have been amazing. We are extremely grateful to the prison and the businesses who have donated materials to make this project possible. They have made props way beyond our expectations.
Such was the enthusiasm of the inmates, we now have two sets of stocks and 24 shields which will be used to decorate the town, possibly in shop windows. The two magnificent thrones for Bruce and his Queen will take pride of place at his court at the Plainstanes on Saturday 13 July.”
The team curating the project hope that communities will be able to see the incredible craftmanship and creativity of the prison staff and inmates at The Medieval Market on Saturday 13th July on Dumfries High Street. Incredible detail has gone into the items with one inmate even carving dragon heads for the arms of the thrones, it was the first time he had ever done any carving and the finished outcome is very professional.
Miranda Cloy of Signcraft is also involved in designing the Face in the Hole boards which will include local figures of medieval times in Dumfries and Galloway so there will be plenty of photo opportunities. The team hope that the props will be used at events in the future and for communities across the region.
Grateful thanks must be given to members of Devorgilla Rotary and members of Roucan Loch staff who have collected and delivered materials to and from the prison. The project has showcased the incredible community spirit in Dumfries & Galloway and how people always come together to create something beyond all expectations in their communities in this region.
The initial programme of events were launched on Saturday 10th February, and communities who are inspired by this are invited to get involved in the celebrations by hosting their own events between February to the finale of his birthday celebrations in July.
To find out more about the events, visit brucetrust.co.uk/750
The team are incredibly grateful to their main sponsors of the programme for their generous support: Jardine Funerals, Historic Scotland, Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival and The Globe Inn.
We are also very thankful for the enthusiasm, support and very special contributions of our key collaborators: Mostly Ghostly, Dumfries Devorgilla Rotary Club, Dumfries Museum, D&G Heritage Service, Dumfries & Galloway Council, Wordsmithcrafts, HM Prison Dumfries, Guid Nychburris Association, Dumfries Family History Society, Visit Scotland and The Barony of Buittle.
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