It’s been a fast year, hasn’t it!? The year draws to a close and today as always, I have a little summary message to end December with. First though, sincere THANKS are offered to everybody here for their continued interest, support and engaging so actively on the websites, page messenger and email.
Here’s wishing all Blantyre Project readers all over the world best health, good fortune, peace and happiness in 2025.
For Blantyre Project, there were some 2024 highlights….
- Now in much better health, new articles appeared faithfully throughout the year every single day,
- Expansion of social media platforms beyond Facebook now to Instagram and Youtube reaching new audiences.
- Significantly ramped up content on Facebook, showcasing daily photos in engaging manner, as well as my usual research. Facebook grew to 16,600 followers!
- Now over 17,000 photos on the main Blantyre Project website!
- Book sales were steady with proceeds all going to local good causes.
- Immersed in subscribed AI technology, meaning some beautiful images were used on occasion to help illustrate articles in eras before photography, helping readers to visualise events, news and stories. However, the use of this tech on Blantyre Project is deliberately limited, to ensure as many photos remain real and true to Blantyre places, people and events.
- Thrilled to meet and make new friends on and offline, including some visiting from abroad!
but a couple of things didn’t quite go to plan:
- I was unable to take several open book drafts to publication, still having to finish them. I won’t rush this aiming to make each book as best as it can possibly be.
- Stepping back from community meetings and events as I recovered from health issues, I didn’t get to make as many history presentations to organisations and schools as I would normally. Apologies, I hope I haven’t let too many people down in that regard and that they understand.
So what about 2025?
Blantyre Project is 14 years old in 2025 and this year instead of promising a whole load of things here for the coming year, I’m going to take one day at a time! No commitments, no pressure, so stress! I’m admin of half dozen pages online, this not being the largest so time in evenings and weekends for online activities is limited. Also, I’m overseeing a long awaited building project in early 2025 as my in laws move to Blantyre. Of course, I’ll still be writing and scheduling new articles here on a daily basis and there’s plenty more new photos and articles to come! Nowhere near done and have an abundance of material still to research, show you all and post about!
Book wise, I have one aim in 2025, to get my first novel completed and finished. “The Trials of Little Bird” – a tale of Irish immigration, set in the 1870’s, which I’m already proud and excited about, even in its unfinished state!
Finally, please don’t be offended if I don’t immediately get back to you in comments or messages. Don’t forget, I do this in spare time only, an evening and weekend hobby behind a challenging, full time construction job, which I enjoy very much. Thank you sincerely for all your appreciated support, for allowing me to learn more directly from YOU and for keeping me so highly motivated.
Now though, it’s time to celebrate! I’m off out for Hogmanay dinner…….my glass is half full and family beckon me to closedown this laptop. Wherever you are in the world, Happy New Year! Paul V
Happy New Year! My tips on Ancestry is take it slow and double check everything. There’s some good websites like Scotlandspeople and Ancestry which can help, but can be expensive at times for credits for each search!
A very happy new year Paul with grateful thanks enjoy your hogmanay dinner! I’m so inspired by your work and wonder what process you use to write your books. I’m working on our family history in Blantyre and find it very challenging knowing where to put things, i suppose how to organise myself, you seem to have mastered this skill so well, are there any tips you can share?? kind regards, Linda