Reimagine

Have you met the syrup girls? Those young female workers who were only allowed into the Sugar Sheds come 1902? They were wee lasses brought in to pour the syrup. The young children at Whinhill Primary School have met the syrup girls and are getting to know them better as they bring them to life through the Absent Voices school projects. Yvonne Lyons and Annie McKay have been spending time in Whinhill Primary School reimagining life in the past for Greenock with the younger  generation of the present with the aim of creating a more flourishing future for everyone in Greenock. The young children are working across the creative genres of art and music to visualise as well as  vocalise the variety of characters who came into contact with the Sugar Sheds. You can hear more about the project here: http://www.inverclyderadio.com/Arts/absentvoice.html) What this project achieves, along with Annie’s school project in All Saint’s last year, is the next generation learning about their history but not in the usual, sometimes boring straightforward kind of way. These children are learning new knowledge at the same time as new skills through the arts. Through being creative these children are learning but through these interactive ways they are taking ownership of their learning, gaining in confidence and supporting each other. The artwork this school has created along with the songs they have written will be shared to the community during a special pop-up event happening at The Beacon this Friday, 28 March from 2.30-8.30. This is an opportunity for the Greenock community to find out more about the project as well as how they can get involved too.