Unemployment in Clydebank (clip)

Questions

• What atmosphere does the film create? How does it make you feel? What images do you see that make you feel like this?
• How do you think the people in the film feel? Why is this?
• Why is there high unemployment in Clydebank - what was the major industry that used to employ most of the local people?
• How does Paul feel about getting a job? What emotion does he feel about telling his friends?
• What industries are there in Clydebank today - what different types of work could you get?
• What happened to Clydebank during the war and what effect did this have on the housing?
• What is Clydebank famous for? What famous ships were built there?

Activities

Drama / Expressive Arts: Script and act out a short drama about unemployment in your local area today.

English: Write down all the words used by the people in this film that describe how they feel. Write a poem incorporating these words to reflect the feelings of the people in the film. Then write another poem creating a positive and upbeat feel to encourage them.

Social Studies: The people in the film feel depressed, embarrassed and frustrated that they cannot get a job. If you know someone who is unemployed, interview them about how they feel and compare their story with the people in the film.

Maths / Modern Studies / Economic History: The film states that there were 145,529 people unemployed in Scotland in 1973. Find out what the unemployment figure in Scotland stands at today and chart it on a graph. How does this compare with the unemployment figures for England and Wales of the same time?

Social History / Maths: In 1973 Clydebank had 20 schools, 2 swimming pools, 3 libraries, 1 cinema and 22 churches. Research Clydebank and compare how many of these facilities exist today. Present your findings in a graph or pie chart. What new facilities have been built that did not exist in 1973?

Geography / Art and Design: Research the shipbuilding yards of Clydebank (e.g. John Brown's) and create a map / mural / painting of what the area looked like in its heyday and what it looks like today.

Geography / Social History: Research why the shipyards closed? Where were ships built if not at Clydebank? What economic impact did this have on the workforce?