This is Paisley’s Spirit: Help Capture Our Town’s Voices for the Future

Paisley has always been a town of voices. From the roar of the mills to the bustle of the harbour, from the laughter in the jam works to the hum of Coats and Clark’s factories, generations gave their lives to this town. Their stories are Paisley’s spirit.

But unless we act now, too many of those memories will be lost forever. That’s why Paisley Heritage SCIO is launching its most ambitious project yet: This is Paisley’s Spirit – a living archive that will preserve the voices, memories and everyday lives of the people who built our community.

A Living Archive for Paisley

For the first time, Paisley’s story will be told not just through books, buildings and photographs, but in the words of its people. We are collecting oral histories from residents of all ages, recording the laughter, struggles, and triumphs that shaped Paisley.

This project will capture memories from:

Anchor, Ferguslie, Mile End and Seedhill Mills – once the heart of our textile industry.

Brown & Polson’s – famous for cornflour and custard.

Robertson’s Jam Works – where generations worked side by side.

Coats and Clark’s thread factories – exporting Paisley’s skills worldwide.

The Harbour and Shipyards – where industry met the Clyde.

Shops, schools, churches and clubs – the everyday life that built our community spirit.

By recording these voices, Paisley’s living archive will ensure that the town’s soul is never forgotten.

Why Now?

The urgency is real. Many of the people who lived and worked through Paisley’s industrial peak are now in their later years. Their first-hand memories are priceless, but unless we act quickly, they risk being lost.

By starting this project in 2025, we have the chance to capture their voices and pass them on to future generations. This is not just about history – it’s about identity, belonging and pride in our town.

Our New Home: Anchor Mill

We are proud to announce that Anchor Mill will be the base for this project. Once a powerhouse of Paisley’s weaving industry, Anchor Mill is one of our most iconic landmarks.

In the past, the mill powered Paisley’s economy. Now it will power our heritage – becoming the place where stories are collected, recorded and safeguarded for the future.

Why We Need Your Help

We have applied for support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, but there are crucial parts of the project that only our community can make possible.

That’s why we’ve launched a crowdfunder with a target of £2,000.

Your donations will help cover:

Hosting and digital storage for the archive

Volunteer support and training

Accessibility features so everyone can take part

A community launch to celebrate and involve the whole town

Every pound raised takes us closer to creating a permanent record of Paisley’s spirit.

How You Can Be Part of It

This is not just our project – it belongs to the people of Paisley. Here’s how you can help:

👉 Donate today – even £5 makes a difference.

👉 Share the crowdfunder with family and friends.

👉 Record your story – as a founding donor, you will have the opportunity to be among the very first voices recorded in the archive.

Together, we can make sure Paisley’s story is told in the words of its own people.

Be Part of Paisley’s Future

Paisley Heritage SCIO has been telling Paisley’s story for more than 13 years. With over 37,000 followers and reaching 1.4 million people a month, our community is growing stronger every day.

Now we are ready to take the next step – and it begins with you.

This is Paisley’s Spirit.

Together we’ll make history.

💡 https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-capture-paisleys-voices-for-the-future