World War One brought many changes to the cities and rural areas of Scotland, and one of the most significant was the change in the industrial workforce. With many thousands of men leaving Scotland for armed service overseas, thousands of women moved into jobs in factories and manufacturing to contribute to the war effort and keep up industrial productivity.
Fairfields in Glasgow was one of the most important shipbuilding yards on the Clyde, and took on many female workers alongside its remaining male staff. The warships it built include several that fought at the battle of Jutland in June 1916.
The Heritage centre at Fairfields in Govan is now staging an exhibition titled “Rent, Rivets and Rotten Tatties“, created with the assistance of the Heritage Lottery Fund. The exhibition and accompanying programme of activities focus on the role of women in Govan in the war years, in the shipyards and on the ‘domestic front’, including coverage of the Rent Strikes and the role of local women such as Mary Barbour.
The centre is also offering workshop sessions for Primary 7 children.
Contact Fairfield Heritage for more details. 0141-445-5866
