MOAT BRAE --- PETER PAN MOAT BRAE TRUST
LATEST NEWS :- updated August 2011
Graham, our roving Secretary was invited to attend the launch of the latest fund raising project of the
Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust, held at Dumfries Academy on Tuesday 2nd August 2011. The Trustees have
managed to enlist the services of Joanna Lumley OBE as Patron of the Trust which also celebrated it's
second birthday. £750,000 is needed this year to ensure the building can be made safe, so that further
projects, such as creating Scotland's first Children's Centre for Literature and a Neverland learning activity
Garden can be undertaken.
The Chair of the Trust, Roger Windsor MBE has done an incredible job, firstly saving the house from destruction
and then getting people interested in saving the house and developing projects for the Moat Brae house and Gardens
when the repairs and refurbishments are finished. Roger welcomed me as a "friend who had travelled up from Dover"
for this event, which was a "Thank You" to all trustees, friends and anyone who had helped thus far. A public launch
will take place later on.
Joanna spoke passionately about the Moat Brae and that it is imperative that it be saved - let's not forget that
she threatened to chain herself to the railings outside Moat Brae a couple of years ago to prevent it being
demolished. She also spoke about her passion for literature and that this will make a great centre for children
to read and let their imaginations fly, just as it had done for James Barrie all those years ago.
Joanna inspiring the audience Dame Barbara Kelly, Joanna, Roger Windsor, Cathy Agnew
Generations of Barrie (nieces) ancestors
At the event, there were dignatories as well as decendents of J M Barrie, including several generations of greatnieces
through to great-great-great etc, as well as relatives of the author's wife, Mary Ansell. It was a lovely event and made
more poignant as this was the first time Graham had set foot inside the school where his father, Harry was educated
(1943-1946).
The Trust desperately needs funds and has just received a grant of nearly £250,000 from Scottish Heritage as announced
during a recent visit to Moat Brae by Fiona Hyslop, Scottish Culture Minister. If you want to help. you can make donations
Joanna and her husband Stephen have a cottage in Penpont, a small village just a few miles north of Dumfries
though they both admit that they do not get to it as often as they would like but have a strong affinity
with Dumfries - Joanna has just unveiled a marvellous chain-saw carving of Peter Pan at the Gardenwise
Plant and Garden Centre in Dumfries. If you recall she has also guested at the ploughing events at Ellisland Farm.
It was nice to see Joanna wearing the "A Lore Burn" lapel badge and of course, she has described herself
as Scottish. Her husband Stephen has links with Canterbury, having been educated there,(Joanna schooled in Tonbridge)
and they also used to have a house in a surrounding village and with Joanna's links with the Gerkhas they both retain
strong connections with the South East. It was nice to have a blether with them both and they are both extremely nice,
warm and genuine people. Joanna will, no doubt, raise the profile of this cause but it is remarkable just how busy
she is and how many charities she supports.
(see updates below !) | 
PETER PAN MOAT BRAE TRUST - Updated 08/11
