Annan Harbour Action Group’s Alan Thomson is set to shine a spotlight on the 1775 emigration of local families to Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia.
Families driven by hope, ambition, and, at times, desperation, took to the sea from the harbour to seek a better future in the New World – but it wasn’t all plain sailing.
Alan, strategic projects manager with the AHAG, has been researching their history and is ready to share his findings with the public at the latest in the series of Annan the History Town’s spring talks programme.
It is open for all to hear on Tuesday at 7.30pm in Annan Old Parish Church Hall. It is a free event but those who want to support the History Town’s work are invited to make a suggested donation of £3.
There will also be a short film of a play called Lovely Nelly from Lot 52. Written by Vivien Jones and directed by award winning director, Ken Gouge, the performers are Buskers & Fox and Hound.
He said: “The film focuses on the lives and challenges faced by the economic migrants – resonant today as migrants continue to be exploited as they take to boats to seek a better life.”
Kathleen Cronie, who is organising the talks series on behalf of Annan the History Town, said: “One of our aims is that the programme will encourage folk to discover more about the area and the people and events that helped shape their local history. So, we’re delighted to be welcoming Alan Thomson to present this fascinating and very thought-provoking talk on what is a truly powerful and inspirational human story.
“He is an incredibly knowledgeable and an engaging speaker whose research, in collaboration with colleagues at the Annan Harbour Action Group, will guide us on a journey through hardship, resilience and hope.”
Alan is keen to explore and show the history of Annan Harbour and his passion has stemmed from childhood.
He said: “I was brought up at Waterfoot Farm when there was still a fishing fleet anchored in the river.
“I later met all the fishermen when they brought their poke and haaf net fish to sell to Newbie Salmon Fisheries when my father was the manager.
“I developed an interest in history and facilitated a number of Iron Age archaeological digs at Hayknowes, which as a by-product turned up some interesting insights into Roman and Viking activities locally.”
However, it is the migration from the town which has been grabbing his attention and his talk, A Voyage on the Lovely Nelly to a New Life – Migration from Annan Harbour, looks set to be compelling.
Alan said: “With the prospect and lure of new opportunities – including work, land and a place to call home – it felt for many, that the huge risk was worth taking. Scraping together everything they had to make the journey a reality, the courageous families climbed aboard, clutching their meagre belongings and committed to making the life-changing voyage. I’m looking forward to guiding guests through the story of how this came about, the source materials and the ship that transported them – Lovely Nelly.”
He said that, given the economic challenges people were facing in their own country, and with appealing advertisements suggesting they would be travelling on a “fine new ship” that offered “excellent accommodation”, the people of Annan set out on what promised to be a great adventure.
Arriving in Nova Scotia, and at last leaving the horrors of the journey behind, the Scots settlers were beset by further challenges, finding themselves in the grip of famine and various land disputes.
