The ever-increasing popularity of the BBC’s ‘Who Do You Think You Are’ series was the catalyst for a grant of £17,400 announced today by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The funding will help a group of vulnerable and excluded young people make a film about life in Cambuslang and Rutherglen in the 40s and 50s. This is the first grant to be awarded in South Lanarkshire since HLF designated it a development priority area in 2008.

The young people’s desire to trace their family history and compare it to life as a young person today was the catalyst for the project. Organised by Create, they will explore the life of their ancestors as youngsters, many of whom are likely to have been involved in the mining and steel industries of the area. The project will also involve interviewing older members of the community to collect their memories and experiences of living in South Lanarkshire during and after the war.

The group will learn the skills of film production through a two-week course with South Lanarkshire Voluntary Television. They will then produce a film to be shown at the CamGlen Youth Film Festival. They will also create an exhibition which will tour the local area raising awareness of its heritage.

Colin McLean, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland, said: “The Heritage Lottery Fund is delighted to be able to help make such a worthwhile project happen. The young people get so much out of it. While having fun learning about the history of their family and community, they are also equipping themselves with new skills, new friendships and a new confidence to use in everyday life    

He added;  “As part of our new strategic plan, South Lanarkshire is a development priority area for the Heritage Lottery Fund. We are working hard with lots of local groups to make sure that they make the most of the lottery grants available to them. This area has an amazing history – its industry, architecture, parks and traditions. We would like the communities of South Lanarkshire to experience the rewards of HLF investing in them.”

Wendy Russell, Create’s Media Project Co-ordinator, commented: “The young people are really driving this project and it is their passion and enthusiasm for exploring their heritage that makes it so exciting. We are delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has recognised the benefits in doing something like this, not just in terms of the young people and their teamwork and confidence, but in opening up our shared heritage to the wider community.”

Notes to editors

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) enables communities to celebrate, look after and learn more about our diverse heritage. From our great museums and historic buildings to local parks and beauty spots or recording and celebrating traditions, customs and history, HLF grants open up our nation’s heritage for everyone to enjoy. To date it has invested £500million in over 2,500 projects. 

Partners in the Create project include SLVTV, South Lanarkshire Council Libraries, Rathbone and Springboard.

Further information

HLF Press Office, Shiona Mackay on 01786 870638 / 07779 142 890 or Sam Goody on 020 7591 6033 or samanthag@hlf.org.uk