Report on Inverclyde Heritage Fair 2022
by Eleanor Robertson
Our first Heritage Fair was held in the Watt Institution on Saturday 14th May 2020. It was also our first opportunity to bring groups together since the restrictions of COVID-19.
14 groups attending including ourselves. With the event starting at 10.30, there was a queue of participants waiting to set up at 10.00. The enthusiastic chatter during this time was great as the groups helped each other to be ready for the start.
The Fair was opened by local historian Martin Brennan. Martin was a history teacher locally and as usual gave an entertaining start to the day. He said that it was amazing to see so many groups coming together to celebrate our local heritage and hoped that our day went well.
Every group attending had worked hard to represent their group's interest with pictures and displays giving details to share. Many had items that the public could purchase either as gifts or reminders of the day.
Around 400 people attended. At times it was difficult to hear above the sound of people asking questions and receiving information.
We had great comments from those we spoke to and they were amazed at how much was going on in Inverclyde to maintain our heritage. Many had found groups that they did not know existed and were showing an interest in joining them. Some received information which they would take forward for themselves.
We collected comments from participating groups and the overall feeling was that it had been a terrific day. Many had spoken to members of their own groups who they had not seen since shut down.
They all agreed that the best thing was that they had made contacts with other groups in the area. As individual groups, they all have their own interests but knowing so many others had a common goal of keeping Inverclyde's Heritage and History alive would encourage them to do more.
They all went home with contact details to share with other members of their groups and I am sure many will keep in touch.
As a Network I feel that the day was everything we hoped for. Bringing groups together is our main aim and I feel that we succeeded in doing this. We also encouraged members of the public to get more involved and let them know that there is help available to get them started or support to continue should they need it.
Thanks to everyone who made this day a success! Thanks to the Watt Institution staff for all their help in setting up and their support on the day. Thanks to all who helped make the day happen especially our secretary Cecile who took the brunt in organising of the day. And thanks to the groups who turned up on the day to share their knowledge and expertise.
Most of all thanks to all the people who came along to support us. It proves that there is a genuine interest in heritage and that we should be doing more to encourage participation not only in groups but in sharing the knowledge that we all carry around in our heads.
A great day!!!
If you want more information or want to comment on the day please do so below.