An exhibition to celebrate the landscape design of East Kilbride as part as part of the Women of the Welfare Landscape project is hosting a ‘show and tell’ event.
Residents have the chance to celebrate the pioneering parks and open spaces of their town on November 1, 10am-3pm at East Kilbride Central Library in the Olympia Shopping Centre.
They are invited to share memories and bring along their own photographs and memorabilia.
Visitors to the library will also get a chance to see Women of the Welfare Landscape, a free exhibition currently touring the UK.
It has been produced by academics at Liverpool School of Architecture who have been researching the work of pioneering landscape architect Brenda Colvin, thanks to Arts and Humanities Research Council funding.
Running until November 1, the touring exhibition highlights the remarkable achievements of Brenda Colvin and other female landscape architects in the immediate years after the Second World War.
From 1949, Colvin delivered a range of schemes for gardens and greenways in the new East Kilbride conurbation whilst also contributing to the overall planning and execution of the landscape plan.
Dr Luca Csepely-Knorr from the Liverpool School of Architecture said: "We are delighted to bring our touring exhibition to East Kilbride and learn more from local people about their experiences of growing up in the town’s landscaped grounds.
"As the exhibition travels across the UK, we want to create a HistoryPin website encompassing memories of growing up in the designed landscapes that a network of women and their collaborators created.
"Colvin and her female contemporaries created a distinct local character in Britain’s New Towns."
Dr Camilla Allen, Research Associate on Women of the Welfare Landscape went on: "In our research we found East Kilbride to be hugely interesting.
"Colvin rose to the challenge of how role of climate, soil and vegetation could shape the town’s identity, taking great care to manage storm water in the steep valleys that cut through East Kilbride.
"She also drew up plans for things like drying greens and childrens’ play spaces in The Murray area of the town."
Neil Gregory, head of outreach at Historic Environment Scotland (HES) said: “When we look at the history of our towns and cities we often focus on architects and their buildings rather than the natural spaces that we enjoy.
"But with the drop-in event at East Kilbride Library and the touring exhibition there’s a fantastic chance to talk about the places where we play, trees, planting and our private gardens.
"Brenda Colvin’s achievements made East Kilbride what it is today.
"It has been a pleasure for HES to work with the researchers on Women in the Welfare Landscape.
"Brenda Colvin was supported in her work by pioneering planner Elizabeth Mitchell who cut the first sod of earth to create the New Town and is recognised as part of our Commemorative Plaque Scheme in Biggar where she lived."
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