INTERNATIONAL STAR VISITS LOCAL HISTORY GROUP

Lord of the Rings star Billy Boyd came along to see our award winning exhibition on Thursday 10th May. Billy was met by Laura Edwards and Anne Lockyer. After a quick chat Billy was taken into the College Library where he was met by a barrage of press photographers, TV cameras and radio personnel.

Billy finally got around to looking at our exhibition. He was really impressed with the work we had done in producing an exhibit of the area he was born.

Billy Boyd at the Trondra Hidden History Exhibition (click for larger images)

When Ian asked Billy if he knew that people existed here 9,000 years ago, Billy replied: “Really, I bet they were English or Irish.” He laughed. In the Local Heroes section of the exhibit Billy said he was honoured to be classed as a local hero and felt proud to be part of the Local Heroes section.

We went for a chat and Billy signed personal autographs for the history group. Time for the interview that was already arranged. Group member Ian McLaughlin was nominated to do the interview. Billy was born in Lochend Road in the Greater Easterhouse area then moved to Cranhill when he was six years old. He went to school in Cranhill and Ruchazie before getting involved in acting. Billy then joined a local drama group in the Bridgeton area of Glasgow before going to The RSAMD in Glasgow. Billy worked as a bookbinder in Glasgow to earn a living. He had done various television roles before landing his biggest role to date as Pippin in the Academy Award™ winning movie The Lord of the Rings. Billy still comes back to visit his old friends in the area.

“It was great to meet a local boy who has made it big in Hollywood, but can still return to support his local community and create public interest in the group”
- Gerry McManus (Member of Trondra Group)

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