MyEDC

    Technical Notes 2025, Issue 135 - Cultural Services work with schools

    • Report by:

      Karin Jackson, General Manager, EDLCT

    • TN Number:

      135-25

    • Subject:

      Cultural Services work with schools

    • Responsible Officer:

      Craig Elliott-Wilson, Cultural Services Manager

    • Publication:

      This Technical Note will be published on the Council’s website following circulation to Members. Its contents may be disclosed or shared out with the Council.

    Details:

    1. The purpose of this Technical Note is to provide Members with further details of Cultural Services engagement with schools around local history, in particular relating to Rita Cowan and the Cadder Pit disaster.
    2. The Heritage & Arts Service does not currently have any education resources specific to Rita Cowan or the Cadder Pit disaster.  This is largely because there has been no demand from schools.  The most common requests from schools are for Romans, Victorians, Medieval castles and the history of Kirkintilloch. Bespoke workshops are designed in response to school requests. The Service currently facilitates 6 to 8 school visits per year.
    3. There is a permanent display at Kirkintilloch Town Hall about Rita Cowan.  The key object is her Kimono which was donated to East Dunbartonshire during a twinning of Kirkintilloch and Yoichi Japan 30 years ago. There is also a temporary display about Rita Cowan at the Auld Kirk Museum and a range of literature available at William Patrick Library.
    4. The Service does not currently hold any permanent displays for the Cadder Pit disaster.  However, there is a commemorative cairn installed outside Bishopbriggs library and every second year there is a change of display at Bishopbriggs library to highlight the disaster.  The Cadder Pit Disaster display was changed at Bishopbriggs library from 1st August this year, which was in time to mark the anniversary on 3rd August.
    5. The Service is working with EDC’s Quality Improvement Officer for Expressive Arts to consult with schools on what support they need / would like across the arts, local history and social studies curriculum.
    6. Officers are working on the promotion of the Cultural Quarter of Kirkintilloch as a destination for Schools to engage with arts, heritage and culture.  This includes, Kirkintilloch Town Hall, The Auld Kirk Museum, William Patrick Library and Peel Park.
    7. The development of outreach handling box collections for schools, is an ongoing process and both Rita Cowan and The Cadder Pit disaster will be included in these plans.