Community heritage library and film archive launched in Helmsdale

As part of the heritage project, People’s Mobile Archive (PMA), Timespan has launched a community heritage library and a series of archival film screenings.

These events come as part of the PMA’s broader efforts to bring local heritage into over 300 homes in Kildonan and Loth and to fulfill the project’s aim to develop a community well-being heritage initiative.

Curator of the project and Timespan’s Heritage and Digital Curator, Jacqueline Aitken said: "Especially for our elder and vulnerable residents, it has been a challenging few years with local people feeling anxious and isolated due to the aftermath of Covid, digital poverty, and the daily struggles of living in rural and remote locations.

"I am excited that Timespan listened and responded to the needs of our community through the PMA initiatives as the provision of local heritage is a useful and therapeutic tool for communities to increase their well-being and social connectivity, to share histories and memories about where they live, and to feel their lives and experiences matter."

Gathering more than 800 books and 75 folders of local research literature, the PMA’s library represents a unique collection of resources.

Alongside traditional materials about Highland history, it makes available publications about the social history and culture of Helmsdale, the surrounding areas, and its people.

Alison Macleod, HLH Network librarian, Golspie ILC area said: "The PMA Lending Library seems to be responsive to a community need and seems to complement the role of both HLH public libraries and the heritage archive centres within the area."

To make the library more accessible to the most remote areas and less mobile and vulnerable community members, the PMA has developed an option for mobile collection and house delivery. Thanks to the dedication of the PMA volunteers the community library catalogue has already been distributed to more than 200 households in Kildonan and Loth just before Christmas.

Karen MacLeod, a local resident from Navidale, east Sutherland, said: "My mum and dad were thrilled to receive the library pack from Timespan, I can't wait to visit them and look through it with them. They love the old photos, especially the one of a family croft house at Marrel."

From the beginning of February until the end of March, Timespan will host 'Going to the Pictures': a series screenings of archival films happening on Saturday mornings.

Sourced from the Moving Image Archive (MIA), the films portray community life and work in Helmsdale and East Sutherland from the 1930s to the 1970s, presenting social issues and developments in the Highlands which still resonate today.

Following the screenings, participants will be entitled to a 20 per cent discount to be used on the Timespan Riverside cafe food menu and will be invited to attend an afternoon oral history session to collect people’s knowledge, experiences and memories of local history.

The Community Heritage Library is open on Tuesdays (2pm-4pm), Saturdays (10am-noon & 2pm-3pm) & Sundays (1pm-3pm), or by appointment.

Going To the Pictures launches on February 4th with the screening of Coronation Celebration in Helmsdale and Golspie (1937); Caora Mor The Big Sheep (1966); Proud Sutherland (1953).

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