AN APPEAL for information has been launched to help collect everything there is to know about a historic Clackmannan pageant held more than 70 years ago.
Wee County history fan Agnes Neeson is asking residents to check old family photo collections and ask elderly relatives if they may remember the Clackmannan Historical Pageant of 1949.
From her research so far, she has found that there was a full week of events with it all culminating in an open air dance after the main performance on Saturday, July 9, 74 years ago.
Agnes, who runs the free website clackmannanshire.scot with her husband and is also a member of Clackmannan Heritage Group, stumbled upon the pageant when she was researching the town.
Unfortunately, it seems like the event “has been pretty much forgotten about”, but Agnes has already secured a video, without audio, the programme and script, some photographs and newspaper clippings.
It is understood that the event, held in the Glebe Field, was to help celebrate the 700th anniversary of the founding of a church in Clackmannan.
Agnes said: “My aim is to give digital copies of everything to Clackmannanshire Archives, Clackmannan Heritage Group, Clackmannan Parish Church, Brucefield Estate – Lady Burleigh's Estate as her grandfather gave the opening speech and was a huge supporter of the pageant, Clackmannan Primary School – hopefully for future use in their local history weeks, as well as putting the information on our website so people can easily access everything for free online.
“If any other group would like copies please just let me know.
PROGRAMME: Agnes has shared a photo of the programme and script
“It would be such a shame if we don't manage to save some memories of the events of that week.”
As an enthusiastic fan of all things Clackmannanshire history, Agnes would be keen to visit people to record their memories of the event and is keen to collect and record photographs, props, costumes and whatever else people may have in their possession.
During the pageant week, which is understood to have involved an exhibition and several performances, Robert the Bruce was played by a descendent Lord Bruce of Broomhall, who also used Robert the Bruce’s sword in the pageant.
From newspaper clippings, Agnes found the event was hailed as “a memorable occasion” which was the outcome of some eight months of labour.
“From company directors to craftsmen and apprentices, all worked and helped in the most splendid fashion”, a clipping by T Crouther Gordon, of the organising committee, read.
Agnes has also secured photographs of the scene plans and the designer's demonstration painting of the scene.
She is keen to record more and gave thanks to all who helped so far, including Speirs Centre archivist Susan Yule.
Anyone who can support the search can email agnes@clackmannanshire.scot.
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