Paisley’s weavers’ holiday celebrated at annual Sma’ Shot Day and Weave Festival

Thousands turned out to take a trip ‘doon the watter’ to mark Paisley’s radical weavers at the annual Sma’ Shot Day and Weave Festival celebrations at the weekend.

The event attracted more than 12,000 people to the town to enjoy a diverse range of cultural performances and events including one of the world’s oldest workers’ festivals – Sma’ Shot Day.

This year’s theme marked the weavers’ annual holiday where they would traditionally go on a trip to the coast and it proved to be particularly apt as the sun shone on Paisley giving a real holiday atmosphere.

Paisley’s radical history began as a result of the famous dispute between the local shawl weavers and manufacturers in the 19th century. The sma’ shot was a fine weft yarn, woven into Paisley shawls by the weavers, which they were not paid for. An agreement was finally reached to pay for the sma’ shot in 1856.

More than 450 costumed performers, artists, community groups and families took part in the Sma’ Shot parade led by the Charleston Drum – the traditional way of calling out the weavers for the annual festival.

This year’s parade, programmed by Bridgeman Arts, had the added spectacle of an 18-metre steam boat float to signify the weavers’ annual holiday where they would traditionally take a trip ‘doon the watter’

Renfrewshire’s Provost, Lorraine Cameron, said: “The Sma’ Shot Day parade is a firm favourite in the calendar each year and it was great to see so many local community groups take part and entertain the crowds.

“Seeing this popular day grow to now incorporate the Weave Festival gives even more opportunity to bring cultural activities to the area. Events like this help attract visitors to the town which is not only good for local businesses but allows us to continue to share Paisley’s unique story.”

As part of the day’s events a Youth Poetry Slam took place at the Dooslan Stane stage where a number of young people shared their experiences through spoken word performances – carrying on the town’s rich heritage of activism. This element of the day was tied into the wider Year of Young People 2018 programme which aims to give young people a stronger voice on issues which affect their lives, showcase their ideas and talents, and ultimately, create a more positive perception of them in society.

Osama Nadeem from Renfrewshire Youth Voice, said: “Being part of the parade helps to showcase young people’s involvement in the community and also highlight the many youth groups out there in the area.”

The fun-packed afternoon featured around 30 shows in Paisley’s historic town centre.

Some of the highlights included:

• Right2Dace dance performance of the ‘White Cart River Story’, the outdoor family ceilidh, aerial performances and ‘watch, fly come and try’ sessions with All or Nothing and circus skills workshops
• The fantastic seaside experience where families could relax in the sand, enjoy ice cream and all the fun of a traditional trip ‘doon the watter’;
• weaving demonstrations with visual art curator and weaver Dan Coughlan and weavers in residence Shielagh Tacey and Heather Shields at Sma’ Shot Cottages as well as demonstrations from award-winning textile designer and weaver Mariam Syed in Paisley Museum’s famous loom and shawl gallery;
• the ever-popular Tea Dance at Paisley Town Hall
• the Dooslan Stane stage, hosted the union speeches, re-enactments and poetry / spoken word or ‘speakers corner’ activities;
• the ‘storytelling yurt’ in Paisley Abbey enabled people to find out more about the Sma’ Shot story, Paisley’s weaving heritage and the weavers historical trips ‘doon the watter’ from professional storytellers;
• a poetry slam, storytelling sessions, and a series of talks, workshops and demonstrations from local artists and designers,
• The contemporary Makers’ Market at Paisley Abbey showcased a variety of innovative Scottish designers and makers featuring everything from clothing and jewellery to interior design and gifts;
• A beautifully crafted mix of nostalgic film with live music accompaniment at Paisley Arts Centre for the ‘Doon the Watter’ film presented by Paisley Camcorder Club, Renfrewshire Leisure and Renfrewshire Council.

To find out more about other events taking place in Paisley and Renfrewshire please visit www.paisley.is.