Pupils from Glasgow’s Glendale Primary will be the star attraction today (11 January 2008) at an event being held to celebrate local history and archaeology unearthed during the archaeological excavations for the M74 Completion project.
The children, who have been taking part in an innovative education project encompassing music, drama, art and IT, will perform for over 100 invited guests at the Scottish Youth Theatre.
For the past few months, the youngsters have been working hard alongside members of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the Hopscotch Theatre Group and filmmaker Holger Mohaupt, to capture their interpretation of the history and archaeology of their local area.
The pupils have also gained "hands-on" experience, digging in the Pollokshaws Road Tenements site. Their artwork and video diaries describing this will be on display throughout the day.
Speaking before the event Alasdair Graham, Transport Scotland’s M74 Project Manager said:
"This is a great day for the children when they can see their hard work come to fruition in front of many people.
"The Glendale pupils and staff have really embraced the opportunity to learn more about their local past in a really creative way. We hope this valuable experience encourages them to continue to learn more about their history in new ways."
Head Teacher of Glendale Primary, Liz Laird:
"It is fantastic to be able to afford our children the opportunity to take part in a project such as this. They can learn about the local history and archaeology of their city in a fun and interesting way. It makes the learning meaningful to the children, which in turn links to the Curriculum for Excellence."
The M74 Dig takes advantage of the exciting opportunity offered by the planned construction of the motorway to unearth and record sites of historical interest that have lain abandoned under derelict sites for many years.
Sites being explored include the Govan Ironworks Foundry and workers houses, Pollokshaws Road Tenements, the Caledonian Pottery and the Glasgow-Paisley-Ardrossan Canal. Through the M74 Dig it is hoped to piece together and bring to life the stories of those working and living in Glasgow and its surrounding areas in the 19th and 20th Century.
For more information see M74 Completion
