Renfrewshire historian relaunching history talks after cancer battle
Local historian Stephen Clancy is resuming his popular History Talks after battling cancer for over two years.
Known locally as the Urban Historian, Stephen has been delivering heritage walking tours and local history talks since 2002. He began teaching local history and archaeology part-time at the University of the West of Scotland, but when the department for lifelong learning closed down, he started his own freelance project - Renfrewshire History.
In 2012 Stephen rebranded as the Urban Historian and in the past year developed Renfrewshire Heritage and Renfrewshire Ancestors as two branches of research.
After being diagnosed with leukaemia over two years ago, Stephen had to put his talks, walks and History Cafes session on hold due to treatments.
This February, for the first time after diagnosis, he resumed History Cafes, local history discussion group, which have proven 'very popular' with the community. During the History Cafes sessions there is normally no set topic, and everyone involved meets in a local coffee shop twice a month.
He shared with the Paisley Daily Express: 'I was diagnosed with leukaemia in Easter 2023.
'The biggest challenge was being in hospital for four weeks at a time for chemotherapy, though being able to read and carry out research from the hospital bed was good.
'Another challenge was the bone marrow transplant in September 2023 as my immune system became nonexistent and I am still immunosuppressed.'
He continued: 'The last two years have been a struggle with a few false starts along the way. Resuming the free History Cafes before I'm given the all clear to return to full-time work is a good start, and I hope that things will begin to improve a lot quicker.'
To tie in with the Sma' Shot Day on Saturday, Stephen further has announced two talks this summer as part of a set of events called Paisley Rediscover: The Recovery Series.
The first talk will take place on Tuesday, August 12 and is titled 'Paisley Rediscovered'. It will look at the origins of Paisley from earliest times to the Reformation in 1560.
The second talk on Tuesday, August 26 is called 'The Bargarran Witch Hunt Rediscovered' and will take a fresh look at the 1696/97 witch hunt using newly published records.
Both talks will be held in Paisley St George's Church on Causeyside Street between 7pm and 9pm and will cost £7 per person.
Stephen said: 'I am excited to be restarting the talks. Over the last two years I've been doing a lot researching and looking forward to bringing the new research into Paisley and Renfrewshire to locals.
'The audience can expect to discover the rich history of Paisley and Renfrewshire from the prehistory of the area, founding of the Abbey through to local witch hunts and early growth of the town out of the former monastic estates.'
He added: 'The talks will be a regular series throughout the year and as my energy levels grow my heritage walks will recommence.'
Both talks and Stephen's regular History Cafes can be booked at https://theurbanhistorian.co.uk/book-an-event/
Stephen has also created two new websites: www.renfrewshireancestors.uk and www.renfrewshireheritage.uk where people can find information on ancestral research and local history articles.
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