All Saints PS learn about sugar loaves & slavery

As part of our Absent Voices project to tell the creative story of Greenock's once mighty sugar industry, two of our artists, Rod Miller and Anne McKay, are working closely with primary schools in Inverclyde.

This picture shows them taking a lesson at All Saints PS in Greenock.

Rod is seen here giving a powerpoint and talking to the children about slavery and transportation of slaves, which was a major factor in the rise and rise of the sugar industry in the west of Scotland. Anne is looking on.

Anne and Rod reported there was great interaction from pupils with many relevant questions coming from the kids.

Rod showed them a prototype peaked sugar cone/loaf which he had been working on at home.

A sugarloaf was the traditional form in which refined sugar was produced and sold until the late 19th century when granulated and cube sugars were introduced.

Pupils and staff were very intrigued.

The children have already been drawing like mad – setting down their personal view of the sugar industry. They will also be working on their own sugar loaves.

Next week the pupils will begin painting, after being given a demonstration on how to mix paint and use appropriate brushes.

Annie has taken away paints and sugar paper (naturally...) to do sample painting for next week's lesson.

Every day is a school day with Absent Voices...