East Lothian Council Museums Service are launching an appeal for members of the public to come forward who remember living or working at Prestongrange or who recall visiting family members at work or in homes at or near Prestongrange.  They are looking to record oral reminiscences which will be added to the museum’s audio tour and used to bring the site and its industrial past to life.

Prestongrange is a site of major importance in the story of Scotland's Industrial Revolution. It was the location of a harbour, a glass works, potteries, a coal mine and brick works. Remnants of these former industries can still be seen, and many of the structures are still intact including the rare Hoffman Kiln built in 1937 and the Cornish Beam Engine, unique in Scotland.  The area in and around the site was home to generations of families.

An audio tour is available on site through MP3 players, downloadable through http://www.prestongrange.org/site/pages/home/audio-tour.php and by dialing 0131 569 0123.  This evocative tour is narrated by the artist, John Bellany and is to be developed further for the 2011 season.  New sections and oral reminiscences will be added to the different stops.   

The Museums Service is appealing for former workers both in heavy industry and support roles to come forward.  They are interested to meet anyone who worked or visited Prestongrange during their working life.

The project wants to record the experiences of those who lived at Prestongrange or explored the working site as a child. They would be interested to meet people who recall visiting family or friends at Prestongrange.

If you’d like to be involved in this exciting project or would like more information please get in touch.

Contact Katherine Weldon, Assistant Museums Officer, Museums and Libraries HQ, Dunbar Road, Haddington, East Lothian, EH41 3PJ, 01620 828224, kweldon@eastlothian.gov.uk