Revival of Scottish Village Industries

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 43, 20 February 1937, Page 15 (Supplement)

Revival of Scottish Village Industries

PART PLAYED BY WOMEN’S ORGANISATIONS Revival of arts and crafts and of village industries in Scotland became a matter of urgent interest shortly aftor the war, but since the great slump in business of 1931 it has become a ques tion of the utmost importance. Formerly, the cult of arts and crafts was encouraged with the aim of keeping the country folk of Scotland on the land and stemming the inrush into the towns. But since the great growth of unemployment during the past four years, these subsidiary occupations have taken a vital part in the life of Scotland. Government Departments, and educational authorities also, have realised the economic position to the full, and by special grants hav© helped greatly in the development of rural industries. Outside bodies, such as the Carnegie Trust, have also contributed their share. Growth of Society. In recent times, two untiring bodies, the Scottish Women's Rural Institutes, and the Highland Home Industries have worked continuously toward the encouragement of arts and crafts in Scotland. The progress of the former has been striking in the extreme. In 1923 it had only 340 local centres. But the end of 1934 these local institutes had increased to 967, or approximately one for every parish in Scotland. The total membership is now over 50,000, out of a popular tion of four and three-quarter millions and is steadily on the increase. The aim of this society is, largely, U retain young men and women on tho countryside who would otherwise’ drift to the towns. B*y giving instruction in producing useful and ‘ beautiful work, whichi yet has a considerable market value, it has done much to resist the efflux of the younger "generation from tho country and has also given * them many new interests in life.’ Developing the Social Side. Educational authorities work in conjunction with the Scottish Women’s Rural Institutes by giving certificates for first-class work. Tho Carnegie Institute, also, helps ‘ matters by" giving grants for dramatic societies, singing and folk dancing. This helps out the social side of village life enormously. Sheep Skin curing is another local industry which has been largely developed. In Inverness especially, many skins are cured for rug making. Rabbit skin curing is another growing industry, and instruction is being given to those engaged therein. Many farmers in Aberdeenshire, Orkney and Angus have been in the habit of curing the skins themselves, but they are now being taught modern methods of curing the skins so that they can be locally manufactured into such articles as gloves and moccasins. Furcraft is another industry, whicli, under the expert tuition of the women's institutions, is growing rapidly in East Lothan, Ross and Cromarty. Woolcraft, of course, is of the highest importance throughout the North of Scotland. Since the herring fishery be-

gan its downward curve, the fishermen have come to depend more and more on the earnings from knitting of their wives and daughters. It is always noticeable, when-the Scottish herring lasses come to Yarmouth in the season, that their every spare moment is taken up with knitting. Shetland sheep provide exceptionally fine wool, giving a range of nearly sixty colours, and women knitters, who now number uearJy 10,000, are mainly the support of the islanders. Their interests have been aided very largely by the Shetland Woollen Industries Association, which has don© so much to revive the hand loom, safeguard trade marks, and also provide funds for building and equipping a wool spinning mill. The islanders specialise in some article. Apart from the general product of hosiery and jumpers, together with men’s “guernseys," Weisdale specialises in gloves and socks of a special thickness and colour, and Yell and Unst in tho finest shawls and scarves.