Sma' Shot Day celebrations set to take place this weekend

Paisley’s popular Sma’ Shot Day event takes place tomorrow with a day-long programme of entertainment to mark one of the world’s oldest worker’s festivals.

The event begins at 12noon when the popular Sma’ Shot Day parade will leave Brodie Park, led by the familiar sound of the Charleston Drum, and make its way through Paisley town centre, finishing at Abbey Close.

Hailed as the biggest event in Paisley’s social calendar, Sma’ Shot Day celebrates the historic victory of local weavers who successfully got factories to pay for the Sma’ Shot – the invisible stitch which bound the Paisley shawls.

And this year’s event will again be supported by Unison, which is sponsoring the “Burning of the Cork” – a symbolic moment commemorating the worker’s victory in the industrial dispute.

Earlier this year The Paisley Daily Express reported how trade union bosses stepped in to ensure the “most meaningful part” of Sma’ Shot Day was retained amidst fears Paisley’s rich history was being “diluted”.

Renfrewshire Council had, at the start of the year, revealed plans for a smaller event to mark the occasion, in which the burning of the cork was to be abandoned and the historic parade rerouted.

But fierce backlash from trade unions, councillors and locals forced a U-turn.

Throwing its weight behind the 2024 event, Unison Renfrewshire is sponsoring a number of fixtures.

Mark Ferguson, branch secretary of Unison Renfrewshire, said: “This is an important date in Paisley’s calendar commemorating the victory of our local weavers and drawing parallels to the many challenges workers face nowadays.

“Unison is proud to be sponsoring the “Burning of the Cork” which has become one of the highlights of the day – an important and historical event to mark the weavers’ victory over the employer.”

Saturday’s event will also feature performances on the main stage from PACE Youth Theatre, who will re-enact the struggles of the Paisley weavers in their efforts for payment of the Sma’ Shot, the Rock Us choir, cover band Proposal, Sharon Martin, Evelyn Laurie and Caitlin Bonner Dance Company.

There will be street performances taking place throughout the day as well as free activities for children including face painting, inflatables, arts and crafts and a sports day, hosted by Furry Murry’s Adventure Playground. OneRen’s Skoobmobile will also be at the event with lots of fun, games and summer reading.

In addition to events at Abbey Close and Bridge Street, there will be a programme of live music at The Bungalow venue and the popular Poetry Slam in the late afternoon.

Upcycling business Restoration and Creation on Browns Lane, which will be hosting the Brown Lane Makers’ Market from 12pm, featuring live music from local performers throughout the day and a variety of children’s workshops - bookable in advance.

The historic Sma’ Shot Cottages will also be open for tours, where visitors can take a trip back in time to two distinctive periods of Paisley’s rich textile history and see what life was like as a weaver in the town in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Plus, there’s an afternoon of dancing and timeless tunes to enjoy at the Tea Dance at the Methodist Central Hall from 1pm – 3pm. Tickets available from Paisley Central Library.

Sma’ Shot Day is organised by Renfrewshire Council as part of the area’s major events programme which attracts thousands of visitors each year.

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