A week of events to celebrate the launch of the Garnock Connections delivery phase got underway with a Family Fun Day at Castle Semple Visitor Centre last Saturday. Those who braved the inclement weather had a fun time learning about the Garnock Connections program, trying various nature craft activities, and exploring the archaeology of the area.
If you missed out on Saturday, or just didn't want to brave the rain, then why not join us at one of the other events taking place across the Garnock Connections area this week:
You will have the chance to hear about exciting projects happening in your area, and talk to the people involved in making them happen at three evening events.
- Garnock Valley Launch Evening, 15th October 6:30pm - 8:30pm, Walker Memorial Hall, Kilbirnie
- Irvine Launch Evening, 16th October 6:30pm - 8:30pm, Irvine Townhouse, Irvine
- Three Towns Launch Evening, 18th October 6:30pm - 8:30pm, Saltcoats Townhall, Saltcoats
Or you can join the Garnock Connections team for a day of fun family activities next Saturday.
- Family Fun Day, 20th October 10am - 4pm, Eglinton Country Park Visitor Centre
We look forward to seeing you there.
Thanks to support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Historic Environment Scotland, the Community Heritage and Archaeology Project (CHAP) got underway last month with an archaeological excavation on Castle Hill in Ardrossan. The excavation which was carried out by Rathmell Archaeology and the Ardrossan Castle Heritage Society (ACHS) was investigating the changing uses of the hill over the last 300 years.
If you couldn’t make it along to the excavation and want to know what we found then you’re in luck. Liam from Rathmell Archaeology has made some fantastic 3D visualisations of the trenches which you can explore here:
If this taster has left you wanting to get more hands on with the past then there’s still lots of opportunities to get involved with CHAP and our other Garnock Connections projects. Rathmell Archaeology and ACHS will be leading another season of excavation on Castle Hill in May next year, and they’re already recruiting volunteers so why not sign up to get involved in some practical archaeology.
Elsewhere in the area, Northlight Heritage will be running the other CHAP sub-projects. These will include opportunities for volunteers to get involved in oral history recording, buildings recording, archival research, exhibition design, event planning, and many other roles. Want to know more? Then get in touch, and meanwhile sign up to our e-newsletter to be kept up to date with all the latest volunteering opportunities.
We’re currently looking for two people to join the Garnock Connections team, a Volunteer Engagement Assistant and a Wildlife Recording Assistant. Both roles are training placements and are part of the Garnock Connections Heritage Trainees Project. They are ideal opportunities for anyone looking to find their first job in the heritage sector.
Full details of the roles and how to apply can be found here and here. But you’d better be quick as the closing date for applications is the 22nd of July!