Join the Ayrshire Federation of Historical Societies at their bi-ennial conference:Ayrshire and the First World War. The conference will be Chaired by Professor Donald Meek, Emeritus Professor of Scottish and Gaelic Studies at the University of Edinburgh, and presenter of a recently aired documentary on BBC Alba following the fortunes of two First World War soldiers.

The programme will include:

"Ayrshire’s Great War: An Overview" by Tom Barclay, Local History Librarian at the Carnegie Library, Ayr, who will introduce the day and set the scene.

"Global Conflict, Local Impact" by Stuart Wilson will consider the role of Ayrshire's industry during the war, including the experience of Glenfield & Kennedy, Engineers, Kilmarnock.

"The Butcher of Helles? An Ayrshire General at Gallipoli" is based on Elaine McFarland Professor of History at Glasgow Caledonian University's recent publication "A Slashing Man of Action: The Life of Lieutenant General Sir Aylmer Hunter-Weston" (Peter Lang, 2014).

"Conflict, Patriotism and Protest: An Ayrshire Perspective" by Billy Kenefick, Senior Lecturer at the University of Dundee, will consider the conscientious objector.

“Whitby does not have a War Memorial” by Rob Close will explore memorialisation.

Ayrshire Poets and the War will be considered by Rab Wilson, Poet, who writes mainly in the Scots language.

Rozelle House has been chosen for the conference venue as it will also be hosting the National Museums of Scotland touring exhibition "Next of Kin: Scottish Families and the Great War". The exhibition highlights, through local stories and artefacts, the profound experience of separation and loss as loved ones fought across the fronts in the First World War.

Cost of the conference is £15, including tea / coffee and lunch. Car parking is available at Rozelle House
House. The hourly No. 361 bus from Ayr Bus Station passes Rozelle Park.