Summer smash for Skylark IX Stories event!
Highlights to the Skylark IX Stories event, which is part of the celebrations for Scotland’s Year of Stories, included stories and memories of the Skylark IX Dunkirk ‘Little Ship’, children’s activities, song and poetry performances, free entry to the Museum and a preview of the new Skylark IX Community Tapestry.
“Our Skylark IX Stories event was a great success and we’re super grateful to all our volunteers, project participants and community organisations who helped create a fabulous, free summer event with something for everyone.“The sun shone, Every Voice Community Choir got everyone up singing and participants and visitors all had a great time enjoying the many activities on offer!”
The Skylark IX Stories event took place during the 82nd anniversary of Operation Dynamo, the mass evacuation of 338,000 Allied Troops from Dunkirk during World War 2.
Over the day, visitors, which included Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, and Dunbartonshire Deputy Lieutenant Tom Finnigan heard stories of Skylark’s wartime service during Operation Dynamo and her working life as a passenger boat, gathered during research into her history and the Project’s current Skylark IX Voices oral history project.
Visitors also enjoyed memorabilia on show by Lomond Parish Church; a chance to add a stitch to the new Skylark IX Community Tapestry; Every Voice Community Choir, Dumbarton’s dementia friendly singing group run in association with Alzheimer Scotland; poems and stories by writing groups at The Phoenix and Reid Macewen Activities Centre at Erskine Veteran Village; children’s activities; and freshly baked goodies from Alternatives Community-based Recovery’s Sweet Success Café.
The Skylark IX Stories event was made possible by the support of the Year of Stories 2022 Community Stories Fund. This fund is being delivered in partnership between VisitScotland and Museums Galleries Scotland with support from National Lottery Heritage Fund thanks to National Lottery players.
YS2022 Community Stories Fund
- Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022 will celebrate and promote the wealth of stories inspired by, written, or created in Scotland.
Led by VisitScotland, the Year of Stories 2022 will sustain and build upon the momentum of preceding Themed Years, showcasing a nationwide programme of major events and community celebrations.
The Community Stories Fund will complement the Year of Stories 2022 Open and Partner Events Programme, shining a spotlight on the cultural heritage of Scotland’s communities, inspiring new stories of Scotland to be shared, and creating a year-long programme of events and activities.
From icons of literature to local tales, Scotland’s Year of Stories encourages locals and visitors to experience a diversity of voices, take part in events and explore the places, people and cultures connected to all forms of our stories, past and present.
Join the conversation using #YS2022 and #TalesOfScotland. - Find out more at Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022 | VisitScotland