A MEARNS heritage project has formed a partnership with local scholars and bankers to help preserve the area's fishing culture.Aberdeen University joined Stonehaven branch of RBS in a mission to help the Maggie Law Martitime Museum in Gourdon record the memories of villagers and fisherman.Partners and local groups provided technical and administrative support for the recording and collation of new heritage material and artefacts during a three-day event.Attendees included Gourdon pupils, community council members, museum volunteers, RBS staff and students and staff from Aberdeen University.Professor Gabrielle Ivinson said: "It is vital that the strong historical legacy of fisher villages such as Gourdon is recognised and understood as a source of learning. This community project focused around the maritime museum will provide a wonderful insight into this process."RBS branch manager Heather Williamson said: "I was delighted to be able to show our support by allowing Anne Ritchie from the branch to help out with administrative duties on this project."The museum's project director, Dave Ramsay, said: "This is an exciting new development, which will bring all the academic benefits of working with Aberdeen University and add a new level to the existing relationship between the school and older people in the community, to record and preserve our maritime heritage."Previous community heritage work has been undertaken by Gourdon Primary and Lathallan School pupils.Gourdon Primary head teacher Sandra Japp said: "This is active learning in its truest sense - we have investigated a rich and meaningful part of our village history in order to make it available for others now and in the future and by doing so have found out about ourselves."
Partnership to preserve fishing culture in Gourdon