Saving Our Society
- schaalliance
- Jun 30
- 2 min read
Jill Bowis on pulling Lorn Archaeological and Historical Society back from the brink
This article originally appeared in the September 2024 issue of the SCHA Newsletter.
In Autumn 2022, Lorn Archaeological & Historical Society (LAHS) was in a perilous state. Our membership, like so many, was aging, and after a 2 year hiatus most of the committee were otherwise occupied. We were unable to create a new winter season lecture. This was just before our 60th anniversary year. I felt there needed to be one last try to, at least, celebrate that milestone in 2023 out of respect for those who had done so much in the past decades.
So I reached OUT, beyond the existing membership and those who had already given so much to the society, with a plea for help, using all varieties of connections. So many people had already done so much over the preceding decades - were there new people, new energies to tap into? After all, other heritage groups in the area were still surviving, even thriving.
Gavin MacGregor of Archaeology Scotland was one of the first to contact me and ask how he could help. Just being SEEN was such a boost. In the summer Archaeology Scotland arranged a weekend training events for us, with a day outside learning about field surveying, and the next day on desk-based assessment. These were very well supported and created new connections and inspired new ideas.
Fortunately, new younger voices also stepped forward, and we put together some talks in a new location, new time, and used social media to help reach a new audience. These were well attended by old friends and new. All this gave us the confidence to plan more in 2023.
In 2023 we achieved a remarkable amount:
digitised the whole journal archive now available online
revamped the website
held an anniversary party at Dunollie
gained our first Patron in Professor Tony Pollard, who started his archaeological interests here in Oban
curated an extremely well supported winter lecture series including two extra special events
gained many new members
attended the Argyllshire Gathering with a new display celebrating the 60 years of the society with a tree of 60 sites that went on to join the St Conans Kirk Christmas Tree Festival.
This year has been more difficult again, with the younger members of the committee, all in full time employment, juggling extra family, study and existing commitments. So we have not been able to be as active through the summer as hoped. Volunteer fatigue is a real problem, as is balancing everyone sharing the load, rather than leaving the admin and planning etc. to only a few.
I AM hopeful that several members, who joined since 2022, are showing a keen interest in joining the committee to realise the potential of what we can achieve and develop practical events and activities. So our future is more stable, still vulnerable, and we are always very grateful for any and all support, locally and further afield.
Jill Bowis, Chair LAHS
Website lahsoc.org.uk
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