This Sunday sees a coming together of two exciting heritage projects in Balmaclellan, both supported through the Galloway Glens ‘Our Heritage’ Small Grants Scheme.
At the newly refurbished Balmaclellan Smiddy, the Connecting in Communities Team (https://gcat.scot/project/cic/) and Roddy Mathieson from The Mobile Foundry will be casting a bronze replica of the fabulous Balmaclellan Mirror. The original mirror, dating from approximately 100AD, is held by the National Museums of Scotland and is notable for its age and also the fact that, being unearthed in Southwest Scotland, it was one of the northern-most examples of an item of this type being found.
The replica will be cast right in front of visitor’s eyes and will end up on display in the Smiddy. This will be a hands-on, fun family friendly session with music and refreshments and a chance to play your part in the creation of a replica of one of our most special historic finds.
The Balmaclellan mirror casting is free to attend but is ticketed, book yours here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/catstrand/balmaclellan-mirror-casting/e-yyobde.
Chris Jowsey, from the Connecting in Communities Project, said:
“The Balmaclellan Mirror Casting is a fantastic opportunity to be a part of our region’s proud heritage. The Smiddy and Glenkens Men’s Shed are shining examples of what Connecting in Communities and the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership have achieved and a lasting legacy for the village of Balmaclellan, it’s worth the visit just to see how they’ve been transformed.”
Meanwhile, just up the street from the Smiddy in the Village Hall, the Balmaclellan Heritage Group are starting work to install heritage displays and information. This Sunday, a range of displays showcasing historical and cultural history aspects of the village will be on display in the village hall. This promises to be interesting and informative in its own right but will also show work underway to make a more permanent exhibit.
The Village Hall event is free to attend – with donations welcomed. Light refreshments will also be available, at a small charge. Reverend David Bartholomew has also kindly agreed to open the Church on the day for visits and tours of the church and churchyard.
Julia Higgins, from the Balmaclellan Heritage Group said:
“The response from Balmaclellan Community to the Heritage Day has been fantastic, and we have been surprised and, in some cases, overwhelmed by peoples’ generosity in donating photos, artefacts and stories to help showcase Balmaclellan’s history and culture.”
Both projects are recipients of funding through the Galloway Glens ‘Our Heritage’ Small Grants Scheme. The next funding round of the scheme is currently open, seeking applications by 15th September. Anna Harvey, overseeing the Small Grants Scheme added:
“It is brilliant to see ideas take shape through the Small Grant Scheme, Balmaclellan promises to be the place to be this Sunday!
Meanwhile, we are actively seeking applications for the next round of funding. If you have a project idea that could ‘connect people to our heritage’, please do get in touch”.
The Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Scheme is a suite of projects happening across the catchments of the rivers Ken and Dee from 2018 to 2023. £2.7million of core funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund will be matched by a variety of partners to bring over £5million of investment into the area over the 5 years. The area stretches from the uplands behind Carsphairn in the north, through the Glenkens, past Loch Ken, through Castle Douglas and out to the sea at Kirkcudbright. 35 headline projects plus more Small Grants projects all aim to connect people with their cultural, natural and built heritage, and to support sustainable modern rural communities. For more information about the scheme, visit www.gallowayglens.org.
About the National Lottery Heritage Fund
Using money raised by the National Lottery, we Inspire, lead and resource the UK’s heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future. www.HeritageFund.org.uk.
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