A new exhibition celebrating the centenary of the ‘Garden City’ and commemorating those lost at the Battle of Jutland opens to the public at Rosyth Parish Church on Monday (23rd May). Curated by Rosyth Garden City Association and with support from four local primary schools, the exhibition features timelines of the ‘Garden City’ and Dockyard over the past 100 years and a visual display of ships which took part in the Battle of Jutland.
In March 1916, a new naval dockyard on the shores of the River Forth became operational. A new town, Rosyth Garden City, was built to house dockworkers and their families. The first house was occupied in May 1916.
Only a few short weeks later, over 6,000 Royal Navy sailors lost their lives in the biggest maritime conflict of the First World War, the Battle of Jutland. The battlecruiser fleet from Rosyth’s new dockyards was at the forefront of the action and suffered heavy casualties. The Battle of Jutland lasted just 36 hours but turned the tide of the war, securing Britain’s naval supremacy.
Now, these key events in Rosyth’s history will be remembered in a centenary exhibition organised by the Rosyth Garden City Association. Four local primary schools have contributed displays to tell the story of Rosyth in the past, present and future. The school displays are the culmination of five months of workshops with Scotland’s Urban Past (SUP), a community-engagement project about Scotland’s towns and cities from Historic Environment Scotland.
Through hands-on workshops, pupils from Camdean Primary School gained experience in urban town planning and will showcase their own 3D model towns at the exhibition. Supported by SUP staff, Kings Road Primary School collected memories from local people about the town’s allotment gardens and green spaces to be featured in the exhibition, while Park Road and St John’s Primary Schools will display maps, sketches and photographs of the Garden City created at SUP workshops.
Commenting on the run-up to the exhibition, Project Manager Chiara Ronchini said: “The workshops with Scotland’s Urban Past have given the pupils at Rosyth’s primary schools an opportunity to learn new skills, discover the hidden stories of everyday places around them, and share these stories as part of the centenary celebrations.”
“The enthusiasm and knowledge shown by all pupils about their local area has been inspiring and we hope that they go on to use their new found skills to record more of Rosyth’s heritage.”
Morag Crawford, Chairperson of the Rosyth Garden City Association, said: “It has been good to have Scotland’s Urban Past working with the schools as the children have researched the history of their community.”
“The Association was formed to raise awareness of the heritage of Rosyth, in particular amongst primary school children. As well as the annual exhibition, the group organise a World War II week which the schools come and hear stories of Wartime in Rosyth and about the first air raid on the Forth.”
The exhibition, Celebrating Rosyth’s Centenary, will be on display in Rosyth Parish Church, Queensferry Road, Rosyth, KY11 2PQ, on the following dates:
- Monday 23 May (10am - 4pm)
- Tuesday 24 May (10am - 4pm)
- Wednesday 25 May (10am - 4pm, 6pm - 8pm)
- Thursday 26 May (10am - 4pm, 6pm - 8pm)
- Friday 27 May (10am - 4pm)
- Saturday 28 May (10am - 12pm, 3pm - 4pm)
May’s exhibition is part of a suite of commemorative events between 2016 and 2018 that will highlight the story of both Jutland and the role of the Forth during the First World War.
SUP is supported by the National Lottery with a grant of £1.65m from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Photography available on request. For images, please contact communications@hes.scot
About the Heritage Lottery Fund
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) aims to make a lasting difference for heritage, people and communities across the UK and help build a resilient heritage economy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported almost 36,000 projects with more than £5.9bn across the UK. www.hlf.org.uk
- For further information on Scotland’s Urban Past visit our website www.scotlandsurbanpast.org.uk
About Historic Environment Scotland (HES)
- As of the 1st October 2015, Historic Scotland and RCAHMS came together to form a new lead public body charged with caring for, protecting and promoting the historic environment. The new body Historic Environment Scotland (HES) will lead on delivering Scotland’s first strategy for the historic environment, Our Place in Time.
- Historic Scotland is a sub brand of HES.
- View our press pack and keep up to date by registering for media release email alerts. If you wish to unsubscribe, please contact us.
Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design 2016
2016 is the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design (IAD). Through a series of exciting events and activity, the year will showcase Scotland's position as an "innovation nation", its outstanding built heritage, and its thriving, internationally acclaimed creative industries sector. This is a Scottish Government initiative being led by VisitScotland and supported by a variety of partners.
Follow Historic Environment Scotland
Twitter: @HistEnvScot | @welovehistory
Facebook: @HistoricEnvScotland | @VisitHistoricScotland
For further information
Bryony Jackson
Scotland’s Urban Past
Direct line: 0131 651 6736
Mobile: 07532 269993
Email: communications@hes.scot
or
Ali George
Historic Environment Scotland Media Office
Direct Line: 0131 668 8714
Mobile: 07583 018 790