From an Empty Room to 19 Voices

The First Months of Paisley Heritage Radio

A few months ago, Paisley Heritage Radio was nothing more than an idea — and a bare, empty room.

No microphones.

No mixing desk.

No interviews.

Just a deep belief that Paisley’s stories matter, and that they deserve to be heard, remembered, and passed on.

Fast forward just a short time, and that empty room has been filled with voices.

We’ve now recorded 19 interviews — with an extraordinary cross-section of the town and beyond: Scottish MPs, musicians, historians, authors, elders, shop owners, and everyday local folk who each carry a piece of Paisley’s living memory.

Every conversation adds another thread to the rich tapestry of this place.

Preserving Paisley’s Heritage in Spoken Word

Paisley has always been a town of stories.

Stories of work and industry.

Stories of mills and makers.

Stories of music, faith, protest, celebration, and change.

Stories of families, friendships, rivalries, romances, losses, and triumphs.

But stories only survive if they are told.

Our aim at Paisley Heritage Radio is simple: To preserve Paisley’s heritage in spoken word — capturing the voices, memories, accents, laughter, pauses, and emotions that don’t live in books or archives.

Because when someone tells you about:

working in the Old Mill,

growing up near the Abbey,

attending events at Coats Memorial,

running a shop that served generations of families,

going to school when the world looked very different…

…you’re not just learning history.

You’re feeling it.

What We’re Capturing

We’re building an audio archive of Paisley’s lived experience, including stories of:

Work and trades

Shops and local businesses

Schools and childhood

Community events and celebrations

Social change and political moments

Faith, music, sport, and culture

Buildings that shaped daily life

People who shaped the town

From the famous to the familiar, every story matters. Every voice adds depth. Every memory is a piece of heritage.

Why This Matters

Buildings can be restored.

Photographs can be archived.

Documents can be preserved.

But voices disappear when people do.

Paisley Heritage Radio exists so that future generations can hear not just what happened — but what it felt like to live here.

The pride.

The humour.

The hardships.

The resilience.

The warmth.

That’s heritage too.

Thank You

To everyone who has sat in our studio, shared a memory, trusted us with a story, or simply encouraged this project — thank you.

Thank you too to the handful of folk who have joined as a member.

You’re not just contributing to a radio station.

You’re helping create a living, breathing record of Paisley.

And we’re only just beginning.

🎙️ If you have a story to tell, a memory to share, or know someone whose voice should be heard — we would love to hear from you.

Let’s keep Paisley’s stories alive!