Since 2024, icecream architecture have been working with South Ayrshire Council to develop a Community Heritage Activity Plan and Traditional Skills Training Plan as part of the Girvan's Story regeneration project. Working with local community groups, organisations and individuals, we researched, designed and piloted a programme of activities and training to encourage reinvigorated engagement with local heritage and the development of traditional trade and crafts skills in Girvan.
Our lively programme of community events and activities facilitated in early 2025 included working with experienced specialist contractors to deliver traditional roofing skills workshops and heritage careers events at Girvan Academy, hands-on stonemasonry workshops at the local museum and an introduction to blacksmithing at a local forge. These were complemented by community co-creation events including a mural workshop with local schools and professional graffiti artists and a stained glass signmaking workshop. We also created interpretation for a pop-up high street heritage exhibition as part of the Girvan Arts Festival, and a day of fun, family friendly craft activities including sign printing and chocolate casting.
Using feedback from these pilot activities, we proposed a 5 year programme of in-depth activities and training. The Community Heritage Activities and Traditional Skills Training Plans were then used for South Ayrshire Council's delivery phase funding bid to Historic Environment Scotland and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Our lively programme of community events and activities facilitated in early 2025 included working with experienced specialist contractors to deliver traditional roofing skills workshops and heritage careers events at Girvan Academy, hands-on stonemasonry workshops at the local museum and an introduction to blacksmithing at a local forge. These were complemented by community co-creation events including a mural workshop with local schools and professional graffiti artists and a stained glass signmaking workshop. We also created interpretation for a pop-up high street heritage exhibition as part of the Girvan Arts Festival, and a day of fun, family friendly craft activities including sign printing and chocolate casting.
Using feedback from these pilot activities, we proposed a 5 year programme of in-depth activities and training. The Community Heritage Activities and Traditional Skills Training Plans were then used for South Ayrshire Council's delivery phase funding bid to Historic Environment Scotland and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.