WICK VOICES: An update on the Wick Society's online oral history project by Doreen Leith

Whether weaving a story or spinning a yarn, at Wick Voices we are eager to capture a range of oral histories that reflect the rich fabric of life in Caithness. Although each story in our collection is unique, there are many common threads connecting storylines.

In the Wick Voices interview "String is my thing" you can listen to Joanne B Kaar discuss some of the projects and extensive research that she has been involved in, particularly those with links to Caithness. In the recording she describes how she takes inspiration from our heritage and her artwork is as much at home in museums as art galleries. Her interests include arts, crafts, heritage and fishing.

As one of the Caithness Artists in Residence (CAIR) at Lyth Arts Centre, Joanne’s latest project, TEXTiles – Fabric of Life, explores how textiles connect people with place and time.

In developing this project Joanne has been working with Befriending Caithness to produce reminiscing packs to be used as conversation tools between befriender and befriendee once restrictions allow.

Collaboration has been an import aspect of coping with the current pandemic and at Wick Voices we were delighted to collaborate with Joanne and Befriending Caithness to deliver an introductory online training workshop on the theme of reminiscence, emphasising that our reminiscences are unique and irreplaceable and collectively they are a treasure trove of experiences: nostalgic, educational, moving, entertaining and always interesting.

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Threads, fabrics and garments also feature in the Wick Voices interview "The Wick Society has done knitting a real service". Here you can listen to Gordon Reid talk about ganseys, the traditional pullovers worn by fishermen. In addition to exploring the derivation of the word gansey, he also talks about the history and evolution of the garment from the 1860s onwards.

Until the Johnston photographic collection became available online, little was known about the gansey patterns associated with Caithness. Gordon explains that the patterns have elements from both Yorkshire and the Western Isles. Through studying photographs from the Johnston collection, around 50 different patterns have been identified.

Through the use of digital technology, Gordon’s wife Margaret has been able to replicate the patterns. Gordon then knits the pattern and makes a comparison with the original photograph. On completion of these garments, Gordon kindly donated them to Wick Heritage Museum.

Museums and Heritage Highland (MHH) is a network organisation working to promote and strengthen the heritage sector within the Highlands. At the moment MHH has a digital Highland Threads exhibition telling the stories of Highland fashion through history. The theme from Wick Heritage Museum is a fisherman’s gansey from the early 1900s and this is supported by Gordon Reid’s Wick Voices recording.

MHH has over the past few months featured a series of objects linked to museums in the Highlands. One of the featured objects is a box of medical specimen slides belonging to Dr John Alexander (1839-1901). It is one of many important and well-preserved artefacts in Wick Heritage Museum.

Born in 1839 at Cromiequoy Farm, Watten, Dr Alexander became the highly respected medical officer of health for Caithness and his statue stands in a prominent location above Wick's riverside. In a short recording, Wick Voices volunteer Alan Hendry uses information researched by Ian Leith to look at Dr Alexander's important contribution to public health in Caithness, and beyond, long before there was a National Health Service to care for people's needs.

The recording was originally made by Wick Voices for Highland Objects, a series of podcasts taking listeners on a cultural tour of the Highlands and Islands.

Although Wick Voices is unable to conduct face-to-face interviews at the moment, we continue to collaborate with a range of organisations to promote the fabric of our heritage.

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