RECORDING MEMORIES OF CRICHTON ROYAL

As part of a new Oral History Project at The Crichton, The Crichton Trust recently held an drop-in information session at the Ewart Library in Dumfries to encourage former patients and staff from The Crichton Royal Hospital to engage in the project.

The project has been set up to record memories of the Crichton Royal Hospital and this event was arranged to encourage members of the public to get involved and share their stories and experience.

Dr Valentina Bold, Heritage Project Co-ordinator at The Crichton Trust, who is leading on the new Oral History Project, welcomed visitors to the session at the Ewart Library and was delighted with the initial response from the public.

She said: “It’s exciting to see people so keen to be involved in this project — we had folk attending who remember, first hand, the Crichton of the 1950s, 60s, 70s and 80s. It’s a place which has lasting significance for Dumfries and far beyond. With our volunteer interviewers ready, it feels like the project has really started now. Thanks to all who came along and to those who have been in touch for more information. During the next phase of the project, we will be conducting interviews with willing participants to help us understand the history of the Crichton Royal Hospital and what this means for its former staff and patients and of course the wider community.”

The Crichton Trust would like to acknowledge The Heritage Lottery Fund and The Crichton Foundation for financially supporting this project and to the team at the Ewart Library for their support.

Dr Valentina Bold is still keen to hear from other former patients and staff who may have lived or worked at The Crichton Royal Hospital and particularly from those who are willing to share details of their experience. If you would like more information about the project, please contact Dr Valentina Bold, Heritage Project Co-ordinator by email: valentina.bold@crichton.co.uk or call The Crichton Trust on 01387 247544.

Photo: Dr Janet Brennan, Trustee of The Crichton Trust (left) with Dr Valentina Bold, Project Co-ordinator of The Crichton Oral History Project (right) at the public information session, held at the Ewart Library in Dumfries this week, to encourage former patients and staff of The Crichton Royal Hospital to share their memories and experience.