Heritage Group
There is an active and enthusiastic Heritage Group which meets regularly in Timespan. The members are currently involved in several projects under the expert guidance of the Archive Manager, Jacquie Aitken.
For example, a great deal of interest has been generated by a series of community workshops on the Strath of Kildonan organised by Jacquie. Once a week, she supplies core information which leads to lively discussion and stimulates many memories of the Strath. Many fascinating documents and memorabilia have been collected. A particular research priority is to construct a map showing possible positions of the townships mentioned in old documents. All information gathered will be collated for the new archive room. This project has strong links with the artists in residence programme. At least two open visits to the Strath are planned for the near future.
The Heritage Group is also involved in a project collecting recordings of oral history from the local community. These recordings will be available to enable younger groups get an insight into life in Helmsdale in the past and to preserve these memories for posterity.
Developing a genealogy service at Timespan has also become a priority for the Group. They are in the process of building up an archive of local records and family histories are being computerised. It is hoped that visitors to the area will be able to trace their roots through this service.
The Heritage Group is always looking for new members so if you have an interest in Helmsdale past, your family history or perhaps have memories to share, please contact Jacquie Aitken at Timespan.
Heritage Activities
Mondays at 7.30pm
Genealogy Group. All welcome.
Old Photos of Helmsdale & District
Tuesday 24th June 7pm - 9pm
Raffle - tea & scones - slideshow
Order copies from our vast archive
Healthy Heritage Summer Walks
Saturdays as listed
Meet at Timespan car park 10.15am
28th June - Helmsdale to Navidale
12th July - Glen Loth
26th July - Kintradwell Broch
9th August - Learable Hill, Strath of Kildonan
23rd August - Caen Hill, Strath of Kildonan
6th September - Portgower to Helmsdale
Community Project 2008
Trades and Merchants
Under the expert guidance of the Heritage Officer, Jacquie Aitken, Helmsdale Heritage Committee has run several successful community projects delving into the local history of the area.
At a planning meeting of the Helmsdale Heritage Committee on 9th February 2008, it was decided the next community project would be based on the Trades and Merchants of Helmsdale in bygone days. There is already a wealth of information within living memory which will give a fascinating insight into day to day life in the 19th and 20th centuries.
After advertising widely, there was a great turn out for the first workshop held in Timespan on 16th February. Participants were encouraged to choose an existing shop with the aim of tracing its history as far back as possible. Others decided to study the burial records to identify early shopkeepers and information was gleaned from early copies of the local paper, the Northern Times. It was decided to have a regular Saturday workshop and these were consistently well attended, perhaps because of the promise of a lunch in a local hostelry after hours of hard work!
A group of participants visited the archive at Inverness Library in order to view the valuation rolls where a record of rate payers for each year from 1873 can be found. These valuation rolls also list a description of the relevant building eg shop, house etc so giving huge insight into the numbers of shops and indeed trades over the years from the 1800s to the present day.
The group is collecting as much memorabilia as possible. The archive photographs are being explored to seek out shops and shopkeepers and a photographic record of the existing shops will be compiled.
The group hopes to continue their work for the next year with a view to producing an exhibition in 2009. Anyone who would like to join the group is very welcome. We would be especially pleased to see any old photographs or memorabilia. Please contact Jacquie Aitken 01431 821327 or Joan Murray 01431 821253.
