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Bathgate Once More
In 1961 the British Motor Corporation (later British Leyland) opened a major truck and tractor manufacturing plant in Bathgate. Thousands of new, skilled jobs were created for people living in the former shale and coal mining communities of West Lothian bringing a period of economic prosperity, new housing and local amenities to the area.
The closure of the plant in June 1986 following a trades union led campaign for jobs, and coming alongside the closure of Plessey and the Polkemmet Colliery, was a devastating blow for families and communities across West lothian and further afield.
To mark the 50th anniversary of the coming of the plant to Bathgate and the 25th anniversary of its closure in 2011, a range of organisations, including Scran, are working together to collect memories, documents and photographs about the plant and its importance to the people of West Lothian for exhibitions, including an online Scran exhibition, a publication and a permanent archive.
Join us at our Open Day
You can get involved by coming to our Open Day on Saturday 9th October 2010, from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm, in the Regal Community Theatre, Bathgate. Here, you can find out more about the project; share your personal experiences and stories of the work and social life of the plant; join the Workers' Education Association History Group to research the history of the plant and help to create an archive; lend photographs, documents and other memorabilia for the exhibitions and publication.
If you can't make the Open Day, but would still like to find out more or get involved, contact Elizabeth Bryan at the WEA. T: 0131 225 2580. E: e.bryan@weascotland.org.uk. Or contact Scran T: 0131 651 6815. E: helen.foster@rcahms.gov.uk
Bathgate Once More is a partnership project led by the Workers' Educational Association Scotland (WEA Scotland), Bennie Museum, RCAHMS/Scran, Simpson Primary School, Bathgate, STUC, West Lothian Local History Library and West Lothian Trade Union Council. the project is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
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