The next speaker at the West Lothian History and Amenity Society is Geoff Bailey. He recently retired after many years as Keeper of Archaeology and Local History at Falkirk Council. His talk is entitled ‘Ploughing the Seas: the story of the Carron Line. The shipping line was an offshoot of the famous Carron Iron Works at Falkirk. By 1814, with its 1,000 employees, was the largest iron works in the whole of Europe. The firm aimed to control the whole supply chain of its products, from the raw materials to the consumer, so it owned its own coal and ironstone mines, railways, a shipping line, and shops. It’s a story which includes privateers, heroism, disasters, ships, bad weather and perseverance – and all to get the goods to market.
The talk takes place on Wednesday 17 November at 7.30pm, in the Chalmers Hall, Linlithgow Bridge. All are welcome. If you would like to join the society, come along on the night, or contact sybil.cavanagh@hotmail.co.uk.
