An initiative from TRACS supporting communities to shape and share the story of their place

DUMBARTON

Nestled on the western edge of Dumbarton, fieldworker Anne Pitcher led the project in Castlehill with Andy Shanks, Mary-Anne Collis, and Jimmy Williamson in 2022.

Working with local primary schools and community groups, fieldworkers and members of the Castlehill community undertook action research across the realms of art, music, and storytelling, including:

  • Story Map, Story Walk (with Mary-Anne Collis), Story Trail

  • Family Storytelling Fun session

  • Tales of West Dunbartonshire story sharing: William Wallace’s Cave, St Blaine, Clutha, St Serf’s Well, The Wee Bannock with school pupils retelling orally and through art, music, movement, and song

  • Songwriting sessions (recorded on CD with Andy Shanks)

  •  Intergenerational Afternoon Tea, Intergenerational Tea Dance

  • Textile panels: The Willow Weaver and the Royal Baby Basket

  • Family Hallowe’en Fun

  • History of Knowetop

  •  Weaving Stories and A Journey Remembered (with Jimmy Williamson)

The close of the project saw the completion of a film, “The Wee Birlin Bannock’s Adventures in West Dumbartonshire,’ made with local cast and exhibition, The Story of Knowetop – From King’s Hunting Grounds to Community Farm to New Future.

The Wee Birlin Bannock’s Adventures in West Dunbartonshire, made possible with additional funding from Museums and Galleries Scotland, used the ‘Wee Bannock’ as a framework for local stories.


 

Fieldworker
Anne Pitcher, with Andy Shanks, Mary-Anne Collis, and Jimmy Williamson

Partners and Contact Organisations
Corra Foundation, The Phoenix, West Dunbartonshire Greenspace, Dumbarton Heritage Centre, St Michael’s Primary School, Dalreoch Primary School, Clifftop Projects, Strathleven Artizans

Jimmy Williamson,“Weaving Stories” at the Phoenix Community Centre. Jimmy presented Oli Higham with a willow basket which Jimmy wove during the storytelling session.