Stories and memories forged in Kirkintilloch’s iconic industries will be showcased in a film being shown later this week

‘Shoulder to Shoulder’ is a documentary made by artist Becky Sik and volunteers Paul Monaghan, Jim Cuzen and Lauren Forrest.

It follows the history of local iron foundries through personal recollections.

At its heart are tales of the famous Lion Foundry, established in 1880 on the north bank of the Forth and Clyde Canal at Kirkintilloch.

Towards the end of the 19th century, it had branched out from gates, railings, rainwater castings and other comparatively mundane products, into the field of constructional ironwork – elaborate bandstands, shelters and shopping arcades.

The foundry employed large numbers of skilled craftsmen, designers and engineers as well as a larger workforce of labourers and ‘mates’ to support them.

Most of the workforce were local and lived in Kirkintilloch.

The opening of the foundry coincided with the mushroom growth of communities like Lenzie and Bearsden, where many large villas were built with extensive ornamentation in cast iron, including gates, railings, finials and weather vanes.

Sadly, many of the local garden gates and railings were removed for scrap during World War Two, but a great deal of ornamental ironwork survives at roof level on the villas of East Dunbartonshire.

In 1893 the Lion became a limited company and began to look at expanding its product range. The employment of the foundry’s first designer, William Cassells, meant that they could consider tackling more ambitious projects. The Lion Foundry Company Limited was successful in winning orders from corporations around the country for large cast iron structures such as bandstands, bus and tram shelters, and promenade or seaside shelters.

The film is being shown on Thursday 26 January at 7pm in the Barony Chambers, Cowgate, and entry is free.

It will mark the launch of the Made in Kirkintilloch Project - which is being led by East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture (EDLC) Trust, with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and East Dunbartonshire Council.

As well as the fascinating film, people can find out more about the Industrial Heritage Centre being created on the upper floor of the rejuvenated Kirkintilloch Town Hall.

The town hall, due to open in the summer, is being transformed into a centre for heritage, arts, culture and community use.

Made in Kirkintilloch aims to engage the local community with the town’s rich industrial heritage through the display and interpretation of museum and archive collections.

It includes an exciting two-year programme of activities which will take inspiration from the town’s history.

The programme will work with a range of groups and schools across the community - incorporating the expertise of artists and heritage specialists.

Councillor Anne Jarvis, EDLC Trust chairperson, said, “The documentary on Kirkintilloch’s foundries is a fascinating glimpse into the past of the town and a fitting way to launch Made in Kirkintilloch - an exciting project which aims to inspire individuals, groups and schools across the community.

“Kirkintilloch has a rich industrial past - from the Lion Foundry and its iconic red telephone boxes to the world-famous Puffers which once sailed the Forth and Clyde Canal.

“I would invite people to go along to the Barony Chambers to find out more about Made in Kirkintilloch and enjoy the documentary on the area’s iron foundries.”

If you would like to be kept up to date on project developments, contact Charlotte Johnson on 0141 578 8729 or e-mail Charlotte.Johnson@eastdunbarton.gov.uk

You can also follow the project on social media - www.facebook.com/MadeInKirkintilloch or www.twitter.com/MadeInKirky

East Dunbartonshire has a rich industrial heritage - due in part to the important rail and canal routes which passed through it.

Visit www.edlc.co.uk/heritage for more information.

*Remember to come along and share your memories of living and working in the west end at the next Evening Times Thanks for the Memories event in Hillhead Library.

It’s taking place on Tuesday, January 31, from 10am until 12 noon, and it is free to attend.

We’d love to see you if you have memories of the west end over the decades - perhaps you went to school in the area, or recall the old shops and cinemas, or have photographs which show the changing nature of the streets and parks through the years.

If you have artefacts, or photos, from the ‘old days’ or simply want to share your stories, come and join us. If you cannot make it along on the day, please email ann.fotheringham@heraldandtimes.co.uk with any photos or memories you would like to share.