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Annual report 2006/2007 Sma' Shot Day
Home > Services > Leisure and Culture > Arts and Entertainment > Sma' Shot Day
Date: Saturday 5 July 2008
Venue: Abbey Close, Paisley
free
On this page you'll find information on the history of Sma' Shot Day, the programme of events for the day and information on projects related to Sma' Shot Day.
Renfrewshire is preparing for one of the oldest workers’ festivals in the world, the traditional Sma’ (Small) Shot Day celebrates the historic victory of the weavers over the mill owners of 19th century Paisley and has developed into an annual celebration of arts and culture.
Due this year on Saturday 5 July, the day begins at 11am as a parade leaves Brodie Park and weaves its way to Abbey Close, led by a replica of the Charleston Drum and featuring banners representing Ferguslie, Toonheid, Sandholes, Sneddon, Causeyside, Newtoun and Charleston.
A wealth of stalls, funfairs, street theatre and onstage entertainment – including a re-enactment of the Sma’ Shot Story by local youth theatre PACE, ‘Loud ‘n’ Proud’ celebrating the ‘Charleston Drum’ with a drumming extravaganza and the ‘Burning of the Cork’ – will ensure that the day will be a memorable one.
If you would like to get involved or you would like to be kept informed of Renfrewshire Arts and Museums events by email or post please contact the team
- email: ram.els@renfrewshire.gov.uk
- phone: 0141 887 1010
- event planning team / marketing team Paisley Town Hall, Abbey Close, Paisley PA1 1JF
You can also use this email address for general enquiries about our arts and museums services or for any comments, complaints or suggestions.
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What is Sma’ Shot Day?
The festival came about as a result of a political battle fought between the weavers of Paisley, who created the famous Paisley pattern cashmere shawls, and the mill-owners of the 19th Century.
The Sma’ (small) Shot was a cotton binding thread which held together the colourful cashmere fabric which made the famous shawls. However, the Sma’ Shot was unseen in the finished garments and so the manufacturer’s, known as corks, refused to pay for the thread which the weavers had to buy. A long dispute followed.
The Charleston drum, which was beaten through the streets of Paisley to summon the weavers in times of trouble, was beaten once again to rally the weavers in protest marches. After a long and hard struggle, the manufacturers backed down and the weavers were paid for the Sma’ Shot. That day, the first Saturday in July 1856, was declared by the weavers as a public holiday known as Sma’ Shot Day. From that day and for many years, the Charleston drum was used to rally weavers and lead them to the departure point for their annual trip. Usually doon the watter to Ayr.
The demise of the weaving industry, the introduction of the five day working week and a change in local government brought an end to Sma’ Shot Day in 1975 but in 1986 local councillors and the people of Paisley decided to revive this great tradition.
Since then, on the first Saturday of July, the beating of the Charleston drum rallies the people of Paisley to a gathering outside Paisley Town Hall, in a procession through the streets of Paisley, led by “The Cork”, an effigy of one of the mill owners defeated by the Paisley weavers.
Since then, on the first Saturday of July, the beating of the Charleston drum rallies the people of Paisley to a gathering outside Paisley Town Hall, in a procession through the streets of Paisley, led by “The Cork”, an effigy of one of the mill owners defeated by the Paisley weavers.
The burning of The Cork is the climax to The Sma’ Shot Story as told by PACE Theatre Company on the day.
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Programme of events for Sma' Shot Day
Burning the Cork
Doghouse Roses
Brian and Maggie
Parade departs Brodie Park 11.00am
Parade arrives Abbey Close 11.45am
On the Sma’ Shot Stage
12.00pm Official opening
12.30pm PACE Theatre - the Sma’ Shot Story
12.40pm Burning of the Cork
12.45pm FPR Community Radio take to the stage
1.00pm Doghouse Roses, folk duo
1.30pm Loud ‘n Proud celebrates the history of The Charleston Drum with a drumming extravaganza
2.00pm Maggie and Brian, folk duo
2.30pm Right 2 Dance
2.50pm FPR Radio keep the party going
3.00pm PACE Theatre Company – an explosion of colour - StreetFEST
3.30pm the final fling with FPR Radio
Onsite Fun
Throughout the afternoon there will be plenty for all the family, with dozens of charity stalls for you to browse, buy and try your luck. Younger members of the family can enjoy the funfair rides, while the older ones try their luck at the many sideshows. Watch out for Big Rory and Ochie the Dog!
Kid’s Activity Tent
12 – 4pm various art activities to keep the kids amused
Sma’ Shot Tea Dance
1pm until 3pm – FREE!, Paisley Town Hall
Paisley Town Hall hosts an annual tea dance on the afternoon of Sma’ Shot Day and this year is no exception. It will run from 1pm – 3pm and tickets are free! But its first come fist served so don't miss out, come early.
Parade arrives Abbey Close 11.45am
On the Sma’ Shot Stage
12.00pm Official opening
12.30pm PACE Theatre - the Sma’ Shot Story
12.40pm Burning of the Cork
12.45pm FPR Community Radio take to the stage
1.00pm Doghouse Roses, folk duo
1.30pm Loud ‘n Proud celebrates the history of The Charleston Drum with a drumming extravaganza
2.00pm Maggie and Brian, folk duo
2.30pm Right 2 Dance
2.50pm FPR Radio keep the party going
3.00pm PACE Theatre Company – an explosion of colour - StreetFEST
3.30pm the final fling with FPR Radio
Onsite Fun
Throughout the afternoon there will be plenty for all the family, with dozens of charity stalls for you to browse, buy and try your luck. Younger members of the family can enjoy the funfair rides, while the older ones try their luck at the many sideshows. Watch out for Big Rory and Ochie the Dog!
Kid’s Activity Tent
12 – 4pm various art activities to keep the kids amused
Sma’ Shot Tea Dance
1pm until 3pm – FREE!, Paisley Town Hall
Paisley Town Hall hosts an annual tea dance on the afternoon of Sma’ Shot Day and this year is no exception. It will run from 1pm – 3pm and tickets are free! But its first come fist served so don't miss out, come early.
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What else is happening?
Loud ‘n’ Proud are part of The Charleston Drum Project, run by local drumming maestro Tommy McGrory.
A group of local young people are researching the history of Sma' Shot Day and the Charleston Drum. The drum played an important role in the workers’ revolt, and their particular interest in drumming has also led the group to research and practice contemporary drumming. Their researches will lead to a book, “The Charleston Drum”, and Rush Productions are making a DVD of the project, including the build up and the parade.
A group of local young people are researching the history of Sma' Shot Day and the Charleston Drum. The drum played an important role in the workers’ revolt, and their particular interest in drumming has also led the group to research and practice contemporary drumming. Their researches will lead to a book, “The Charleston Drum”, and Rush Productions are making a DVD of the project, including the build up and the parade.
Danny Kyle Memorial Concert and festival
Danny Kyle was one of Scotland’s best loved folk musicians, a motivating force in the traditional music scene that cannot be replaced.
2008 marks the 10th anniversary of his passing and to celebrate his remarkable life and influence a concert will be held at Paisley Town Hall on Sma’ Shot Day, the culmination of a weeklong festival.
Among the acts playing during the festival are The Tannahill Weavers, Skelpaig, Maeve O Boyle, Dave Acari, Teh Dog house Roses, Maria Hall, Brian and Maggie, Wing and a Prayer and The House of Cheese. The Danny Kyle Festival promises to be the highlight of the folk calendar in Renfrerwshire.
2008 marks the 10th anniversary of his passing and to celebrate his remarkable life and influence a concert will be held at Paisley Town Hall on Sma’ Shot Day, the culmination of a weeklong festival.
Among the acts playing during the festival are The Tannahill Weavers, Skelpaig, Maeve O Boyle, Dave Acari, Teh Dog house Roses, Maria Hall, Brian and Maggie, Wing and a Prayer and The House of Cheese. The Danny Kyle Festival promises to be the highlight of the folk calendar in Renfrerwshire.
More information about
The Tannahill Weavers, Ballachulish Hellhounds and Skelpaig gig - £8
the Danny Kyle Memorial Concert and festival - £15 (£10 conc)
Tickets for both these gigs are available from
- email ram.els@renfrewshire.gov.uk
- phone 0141 887 1010
- Box Office Paisley Arts Centre, New Street, Paisley PA1 1EZ
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