Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
19th Century Meldrum Loom Highlights Fife’s Industrial Heritage
The Meldrum Loom, which highlights Fife’s industrial heritage, is one of the key exhibits and the first thing that visitors will see as they enter the museum when the new Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries (DCL&G) opens its doors to the public in just 4 weeks’ time.
Weaving is a huge part of Dunfermline’s heritage, in 1835 there were more than 3,500 handlooms operating in the town. Today, the Meldrum handloom is one of only two looms remaining in the town.
The handcrafted loom, on which two generations of the Meldrum family produced high quality damask linens, makes a considerable impact in the new Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries (DCL&G). It is three metres cubed, sits on a plinth and is dramatically lit creating a powerful feature in the new museum. An immersive audio visual display brings the sound and movement missing from the static loom.
This handcrafted loom, which dates to the early 19th century, required extensive restoration and repair to return it to full working order and preserve it for future generations to enjoy. The loom was first dismantled and the wooden components sanded and oiled with several applications of linseed oil; the warp beam was renewed, and the loom’s 2000 ends rethreaded.
The Loom was built for the Meldrum family in 1835 and was used by the family until around 1900. A programme of restoration and imaginative interpretation has been undertaken. Led by Master Weaver Ian Dale and with support from a team of eight volunteers, many of whom had worked in Dunfermline’s linen industry in the past as tenters, warpers and weavers, the loom has thankfully been restored to full working order.
A piece of cloth has since been woven on the loom using a Jacquard design card from the existing collection producing a pattern known as the horn of plenty. The restoration process has been filmed to document the process. Stories from those associated with the loom will be presented via screen set around this display and footage from the restored loom in operation will be projected onto a film wall in the gallery.
Lesley Botten, Display, Design & Activities Curator said “We are delighted to display this beautiful loom in our new building. A team of highly skilled volunteers worked with the master weaver Ian Dale to restore this beautiful loom to full working order. We are certain visitors will love it when they actually see it. I suspect many visitors will be unaware of Dunfermline’s remarkable past as Scotland’s premier linen town and the Meldrum Loom will certainly help to change that and bring our history to life.”
Set to open on 18th May 2017, Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries is not only the town’s newest landmark but also a welcome addition to Scotland’s cultural offering that’s destined to bring new visitors – both young and old – to the Kingdom of Fife. The new cultural hub hopes to attract up to 280,000 visitors each year, and contribute an annual visitor spend of around £500,000 to the local economy.
The local community has responded enthusiastically to their new cultural showpiece with more than 400 volunteers already taken part in a range of activities to help deliver the new facility in time for its official opening.
As one of Scotland’s former ancient capitals, Dunfermline has both a remarkable royal history and an impressive industrial heritage. Dunfermline’s past will be brought to life in the new museum with fascinating stories retold through a series of special films, inspiring interviews, engaging computer games and objects from the Fife Council museum collection.
The building recently won Edinburgh Architectural Association’s ‘Building of the Year’ and ‘Large Project of the Year’ awards.
A range of launch events are being planned to suit all age groups. For more information and a list of events please visit www.onfife.com/dclg.