A FORMER Clydebank shipbuilder has swapped his welding torch for pen and paper.

Brian Whittingham, originally from Drumchapel, worked on the Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2), which was launched in 1967 from John Brown’s famous yard.

But Brian has recently become Renfrewshire’s first makar – poet to you and me – and now spends his days penning poems and essays.

Brian’s role also involves going into schools, libraries and local groups to give readings and talks to encourage an interest in poetry.

Last week, Brian joined around 40 former colleagues to take a trip down memory lane and reminisce about their days busting a gut and getting “clatty” as they worked on the QE2, a huge ocean-going passenger liner.

The group headed to an exhibition entitled Ocean Liners: Speed and Style as it was opened at Scotland’s newest museum, the V&A Dundee.

The exhibition explores the design and cultural impact of the ocean liner age, and includes several items from the iconic QE2 – one of the world’s most iconic ocean liners.

Brian performed poetry from his book Bunnets ’n’ Bowlers, which reflects his life and work in the yards.

The 68-year-old told the Post: “I never started writing until 20 years later, so the experience stuck in me. I did like some aspects of the job but there was a lot I didn’t like. I liked the development side, working in different parts of the factory, working under the ship and the people I worked with, but working conditions were horrendous at that time.

“The noise on a shipyard after 10 minutes will start to damage your hearing if left uncovered – and we had it six days a week, eight hours a day, so your hearing gets damaged very quickly.

“You are working out in the open a lot, working with sparks and carrying heavy metal.”

The Ocean Liners: Speed and Style exhibition was supported by the People’s Postcode Lottery, who have so far raised over £1.1 million for the V&A.

Clara Govier, managing director of People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “This has been a great opportunity to bring together some of the people who each had a hand in building the QE2, allowing them to share their stories from the shipyards and to celebrate the legacy of this incredible piece of maritime history.”

The exhibition runs until February 24.