A purpose-built education and visitor centre has opened at the base of the Titan Crane in Clydebank. Clyde Waterfront contributed to the project which will benefit local school children and tourists.
The £120,000 centre will provide classroom and workshop
facilities for schools, community groups and visitors to the Titan,
the crane that helped John Browns build the biggest ships in the
world last century.
Opening the centre, Graham Mochan, chair of Clydebank Re-built, the
town's regeneration company said, "Today the Titan Crane is an icon
of the town's proud shipbuilding and engineering heritage and
Scotland's most unusual visitor attraction.
"At the new centre school classes and community groups can come and
learn more about the Titan Crane and the town's importance in
Scottish and world history, trade and travel. Having lessons
below the Crane will bring many subjects alive.
"Getting this centre off the ground has been a real partnership
with the Heritage Lottery Fund, Clyde Waterfront Partnership and
Clydebank Re-built. It will help us take the message
about the Titan and Clydebank's story to future generations", added
Mr Mochan.
In addition to an open-plan classroom and workshop area, the centre
has a display and exhibition area, including 'smart' board
technology allowing lessons to be relayed from the Titan to schools
across the country, through the Learning Teaching Scotland
Network.
The Titan Education and Visitor Centre - named the Drawing Office,
after John Browns famous Drawing Office - is funded by
the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and by the local regeneration
organisations, Clyde Waterfront Partnership and Clydebank
Re-built.
Over 29,000 people - including over 150 school classes - have
visited the Titan Crane since it opened as a heritage visitor
attraction in August 2007
School and community groups interested in visiting the Crane and
the new Education and Visitor Centre should contact Cheryl Dyer on
0141 951 3420 or by email Cheryl@clydebankrebuilt.co.uk .
More information about the Titan on www.titanclydebank.com
Source: Clydebank Rebuilt