Don Martin retired in the early 2000s as the reference librarian for East Dunbartonshire and has a national reputation as a historian, author, and photographer. He was also Secretary of Kirkintilloch and District Society of Antiquaries for 41 years until 2021. During his career as a librarian, and in retirement, Don has been a prolific researcher and author on mainly Scottish history and culture. As a result, he has published regularly on such topics as histories of the local communities – Kirkintilloch, Lenzie etc, and local transport – Forth and Clyde Canal, Monkland and Kirkintilloch Railway etc. His contributions to Scottish libraries and heritage were recognised by the award of an MBE in the 2022 New Year Honours.
When first working in Glasgow’s Mitchell Library, Don met colleagues with similar interests in music, and this led to the formation of Clutha, the famous folk group which later developed an international reputation via its live performances and recordings.
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Clutha on the roof of the Mitchell Library in 1965. Don Martin is on the extreme right. (Public domain) |
In this talk on Thursday 11th January 2024, Don – accompanying himself on guitar - will explore the rich resource for the study of local history that is contained within the traditional folk repertoire.
The meeting will be held in the Park Centre, 45 Kerr Street, Kirkintilloch, G66 1LF at 7.30 pm. The annual membership subscription is £10 and visitors are welcome at all of the Society's evening events without charge as a 'taster'.
