NOW AND THEN 'LIFE STAMP' PROJECT CAPTURES CHANGING TIMES OF WEST LOTHIAN TOWN
Moments in time in a small closely-knit West Lothian town have been captured for eternity through the eye of a camera lens
An ambitious photography project in Blackridge has become a celebration of the area’s resilience, community connection and heritage.
The Armadale & Blackridge Camera Club’s “Community Life Stamp” project explores and documents the rich history, from its 1581 origins as a coaching stop between Glasgow and Edinburgh, from a village to its industrial coal mining heritage and modern railway renaissance.
Then and now photos of the town highlight key landmarks and events, some members captured contemporary streetscapes using both traditional cameras and drone technology, others reached out to older residents in the community for historical photographs and stories.
This revealed an unexpected treasure: the reminiscence and storytelling of long-time residents proved as valuable as the photographs themselves.
For one camera club member, Tom Cassell whose wife Christine had died suddenly, the project offered focus and purpose during a difficult period. His active engagement with older residents exemplified how the initiative fostered intergenerational connections and cultural knowledge exchange. It also demonstrated how community-led creative projects build vital social networks, alongside preserving local heritage.
The completed timeline photographs now grace Blackridge Community Centre as a permanent community resource. There are also plans for a local calendar and ongoing social media engagement.
In a community still economically affected by the decline of heavy industry, this heritage project serves as both a historical record and a social connection tool.
The camera club had applied for funding from the Blackridge Community Fund to get the project off the ground.
The fund’s decision making panel, which is made up of local residents, recognised the rich potential of the project and awarded £1,500 from community benefit funding from nearby Harthill Wind Farm.
The group were encouraged to publicise their plans and seek members through the community newsletter.
Malcolm Jack, Community Funds Manager at Foundation Scotland, recently saw the end results.
He said: “Visiting the Craiginn Centre for the Blackridge Community Fund Panel meeting recently, I was really impressed with the ‘Then and Now’ photographs, capturing in a nutshell Blackridge’s evolution over the past 50+ years. “It’s an example of how a small amount of community benefit funding can fuel the efforts of dedicated community groups like this camera club, and make a difference in lots of different ways within a community. These evocative photos certainly epitomise the community spirit in Blackridge.”
The Armadale & Blackridge Camera Club’s achievement shows how modest grants can enable grassroots organisations to create lasting cultural and social value, preserving industrial heritage whilst forging connections between established residents and newcomers in rapidly changing communities.
Read more about the Blackridge Community Fund and how to apply at: www.foundationscotland.org.uk/apply-for-funding/funding-available/blackridge
Armadale & Blackridge Camera Club meet every Wednesday from 7pm to 9.30pm at Blackridge Community Centre. Anyone with an interest in photography regardless of their ability is welcome to attend.
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2025-06-13T12:57:35Z
