Putting the past in print

Oct 17 2008 by Edwin Lawrence

HISTORIAN and castle owner James Brown will probe an area’s heritage for a new-look guide.

The one-year Crucial Carrick project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, will lead to a booklet describing the area’s rich heritage.

Topics will include history, culture, geology, and flora and fauna, and the booklet will be free to schools and libraries.

Copies will also be sold through local shops and hotels, and via download from websites.

Girvan’s Betty McQuiston, on behalf of the Carrick Community Councils’ Forum, said: “We are delighted to have found someone with such a depth of local knowledge.

“We had a problem at the beginning of the recruitment process, and had to re-advertise the post. But we ended up with over 20 applications and interviewed seven people.

“The standard was high and it was difficult to choose from several candidates who could have done the job very well.”

James Brown, who owns ruined Baltersan Castle, near Crossraguel Abbey, said: “This is an exciting opportunity for me as it ties in with and builds on what I have been doing through other local initiatives.

“Local experts in various fields have already done lots of work and I hope to be able to tap into those sources of information.

“Given the short time-frame for this project it will be important that we don’t go over old ground.

“Ideally, the project will be about finding out what aspects of the heritage local people believe to be important, gathering information on those topics, and then presenting that information in an attractive and readable way.”

A starting point for the Crucial Carrick project is consultation with people to find out what they would like to see in the booklet.

Organisers are also keen to involve young people, including pupils at Carrick and Girvan academies.

To find out more on Crucial Carrick or to contribute information, contact James Brown on 01292 610790 or Stuart Lindsay of Horizons on 01465 716135.