Social, cultural and environmental evolution of the Forth and Clyde Canal in Glasgow to be captured in digital resource

The Glasgow Canal Co-op is calling on local organisations to contribute to a new archive of the Forth and Clyde Canal, helping to collate and share north Glasgow’s social, cultural and environmental evolution over the last thirty years.

The project is looking to collate material on the role of communities, cultural activities, and environmental improvement work in the canal’s recent history. There have been many projects delivered in recent years which have explored  industrial canal heritage, so instead the Co-op is focusing on the relationship between the people of Glasgow and the precious waterway.

Evolving identity

Relevant projects from over the years, whether an event, art installation, oral history, performance, written piece, interpretation or exhibit, will be added to an accessible digital archive at www.glasgowcanal.com to highlight the canal’s evolving identity.

The archive is backed by Historic Environment Scotland who wanted to support the Co-op’s plans to shine a light on some of the incredible social and cultural heritage projects which have taken place between Port Dundas and Firhill over the last three decades.

Anna Young, Project Manager at Glasgow Canal Co-op, said: “The canal space has undergone significant change in terms of how it is used, and by who, and how people feel about it. From working with our own Co-op members and other local organisations, we know that a broad range of projects have been delivered in connection with the canal. 

“We are keen to identify these valuable projects, collating them and reconnecting them with the canal and are asking for people’s help to bring them together in one place for people to access. It would be great to ensure all the fantastic work to regenerate the Glasgow Canal is featured and highlight the impact this has had on the people living and working around it.”

The Co-op is looking for material in a range of formats, from promotional materials and annual reports to photographs, video clips and website links, so they can capture what canal-related project have taken place, what they did, who was involved, the results and what happened next.  

Alongside the digital archive, the material could also be included as part of forthcoming events, a future exhibition or promotional campaign.

All material included will be properly credited and the team plan to work with organisations including the Mitchell Library to ensure that materials can be properly archived for the future.

Get involved

If you would like more information or to get involved, please email hello@glasgowcanal.com.