Scottish Hockey Heritage Group showcases its work at National Sporting Heritage event

Representatives from the Scottish Hockey Heritage Group (SHHG), Evelyn Raistrick and Alan Veitch, delivered a well-received presentation on the history of Scottish hockey and the establishment of the SHHG at the recent UK Sporting Heritage – Collections at Risk Study Day held at Tynecastle.

The event, part of Sporting Heritage Scotland’s ongoing study day series, brought together heritage professionals and enthusiasts from across the UK to explore the challenges of preserving sporting collections at risk. Attendees included representatives from Motherwell FC, Preston North End FC, the Jim Clark Motor Museum, and Scottish Rugby, providing a rich mix of sporting perspectives.

Raistrick and Veitch outlined the SHHG’s formation and development, highlighting milestones such as:

  • 2020: First SHHG meeting
  • 2022: Second meeting (post-COVID)
  • 2024: Formal Memorandum of Understanding signed
  • 2024: Official SHHG website launched

The presentation detailed the group’s three main work streams — Records, Collections, and Oral Histories — all designed to safeguard the legacy of Scottish hockey. This includes documenting club histories, capped players, and international matches, as well as collecting materials from the National Records of Scotland, National Library, universities, museums, and former players and officials.

“Establishing a robust digital archive is central to ensuring Scotland’s hockey heritage is not lost,” the presenters noted. Key challenges include securing volunteers with specialist skills, succession planning, and managing financial and storage constraints. Expanding communication channels through a website and social media presence also remains a priority.

Evelyn Raistrick brought along several historic hockey artefacts for display during the event, which drew strong interest from attendees. The session concluded with an engaging Q&A, during which one participant remarked that “the presentation was certainly well received given the number of questions asked.”

The SHHG continues to hold three to four online meetings annually, maintaining a shared electronic archive and reviewing its heritage project paper each year. Future initiatives include cataloguing photographs, compiling an inventory of hockey archives, and encouraging local clubs and districts to document their own histories.

The Scottish Hockey Heritage Group’s ongoing efforts demonstrate how collaboration, innovation, and dedication can help preserve Scotland’s sporting past for future generations.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Anyone looking to get involved, or to find out more, check out and contact:

Website https://www.scottish-hockey-heritage.org/

Email [email protected]

 

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