Mill Girls join stars on Buddie Walk of Fame in Paisley
The women behind the success of Paisley’s world famous mills have been celebrated alongside other global stars from the town in the Buddie Walk of Fame.
The Hollywood-style trail across the town was unveiled earlier this year to recognise heavyweights in the world of art, literature, music and sport. Now sitting alongside the likes of David Tennant, John Byrne and Paolo Nutini is the Mill Girls.
A nod to the generations of women who toiled in the mills that produced cotton thread used the world over, the stone is situated on Bridge Street with a view of the world famous Anchor Mills.
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The stone was officially unveiled earlier this month at an event which brought together those women who worked in that building and the Number 1 Spinning Mill in Ferguslie.
The women spent the afternoon reminiscing on their roles in the mills, from various types of winding, spinning, embroidery and research.
But they also remembered the camaraderie and skill of the women, explaining how they could get their hair done and their ears pierced by colleagues in the mill.
Olga Clayton, who worked as a researcher testing thread strength in the labs of the Anchor Mills, said it was wonderful not only to see the stone but to meet with other women who have a shared history.
“It was really nice to unveil the stone because I met people I knew from many years ago,” she told the Paisley Daily Express. “It was very nice to meet everyone and talk about the mills. It was a very good day and a really lovely thing to do.”
Pat Newton travelled all the way from Stirling to take part. Pat’s job at the mill was winding while identical twins Barbara Louden and Susan Allan were both in the spinning section and told stories about how everyone would get them mixed up and they’d often get each other’s pay packets.
The group were joined by Mary McKeown, chair of Paisley Thread Mill Museum, and Norma O’Hagan, one of the volunteers at the museum, who enjoyed chatting to the women.
Tricia McKinnon, who was in the needlework section of the mill, brought along tapestries and other items to donate to the museum.
Mary, who has volunteered at the museum for 10 years, said she too was delighted to see the stone in situ and to hear first hand from the women who worked there.
She said: “The Mills really were at the heart of the community and the ethos at the mills was really very good.
“The women had pictures of their fathers and grandfathers who also worked in the mills and they had so many stories about the people who worked there.
“Some of the mill workers also moved to work in other mills around the word in places like Russia, America and in Barcelona, which had very similar mills to those in Paisley so the reach of the mills can’t be underestimated.”
The Buddie Walk of Fame has been driven by Paisley First – Paisley’s Business Improvement District (BID). The trail was launched in July to reflect on the town’s rich heritage and also showcase key landmarks throughout Paisley First BID area.
Chair of Paisley First, Elaine Templeton, said it was important that the Buddie Walk of Fame recognised those who had made a significant contribution to the town’s history and heritage, as well as showcasing those who have enjoyed success in the world of the arts, entertainment and sport.
“The lasting legacy of the thread industry in Paisley is famous the world over,” said Elaine. “Yet none of this would have been possible without Paisley’s Mill Girls who produced most of the thread used around the globe.
“While the Mill buildings serve as a reminder of the town’s industrial past, it’s crucial that the thousands of women who made it all happen have their contribution to the success of the town recognised, too.
“Most local families included Mill Girls and we want to ensure that these amazing and hard-working women are remembered for generations to come.”
A trail guide is downloadable from Paisley First’s website www.paisleyfirst.com – and printed copies of the guide are available throughout the town.
Plans are also in place to produce a Buddie Walk of Fame app and future phases with even more Buddies commemorated will follow.
The initiative has been backed by the culture heritage and event fund, administered by OneRen on behalf of Renfrewshire Council.
It is part of Future Paisley, the council-led programme of events, activity and targeted investment which is using Paisley’s unique and internationally significant story to change its future.
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