thescottishsociety.co.uk

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

A replica of the original Peter Pan Generations of Barrie (nieces etc ) ancestors

statue which used to be in the

garden at Moat Brae

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

online www.peterpanmoatbrae.org or ask for special flyers with details - see below.

Copies of these leaflets are available from The Secretary, DEKSS or directly from the Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust www.peterpanmoatbrae.org email info@peterpanmoatbrae.org.

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.

The Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust now has an office in the old Primrose and Gorden building of 92, Irish Street, Dumfries and

have appointed Cathy Agnew as full time Project Director. Annie Corder has been appointed as part time Administrative and

Marketing Assistant tel 01387 255 549 e-mail annie@peterpanmoatbrae.org or info@peterpanmoatbrae.org

Caroline Buck is the Friends co-ordinator.

LET'S NOT FORGET THAT "WENDY" was introduced in the UK as a girl's name by JM Barrie from the common problem

children had with pronouncing "r"s, so FRIEND became WEND became WENDY and hence into the character WENDY

DARLING in PETER PAN. Hence the term Friend of Peter Pan (Moat Brae Trust) is poignantly significant.

DOORS OPEN DAY - 24th and 25th SEPTEMBER 2011 -

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF PETER PAN & WENDY

all are welcome to come along and see inside the birthplace of Peter Pan - MOAT BRAE HOUSE,

George Street Dumfries. DG1 2EA

BACKGROUND :-

The Moat Brae House in Dumfries is credited with providing the inspration for James Barrie to write what many people in the English speaking world, regard as The Greatest Fairy Story of all time - PETER PAN. I am sure many of you have been to theatres over the festive period to see Peter Pan Pantomines and most people will know the story of the little boy who would not grow up. I remember taking my children to see HOOK a movie starring Dustin Hoffman as a brilliant Captain Hook and Robin Williams as Peter in the form of a grown man - a brilliant adaptation of the original story. All stories, all adaptations, plays, films and pantomines remain true to the original story and stageplay as written by JM Barrie over a hundred years ago. It is arguable that the story developed after Barrie befriended the Llewelyn Davies family after a chance meeting in 1897 with George and John (Jack) and baby Peter with their nurse "nanny" Mary Hodgson in Kensington Gardens, London near his home where he regularly walked his Newfoundland Dog, named Porthos ! However, many experts and historians believe that the story first developed whilst Barrie was a student at Dumfries Academy where he befriended Stuart and Hal Gordon who's father was a prominent local Solicitor and owned Moat Brae House. James Barrie played in the house with the Gordon boys and especially the garden where they would play out Pirate stories.

MOAT BRAE --- PETER PAN MOAT BRAE TRUST

DEKSS Supports the Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust.

Through our Secretary, Graham Hutchison, our Society is supporting this initiative. Although the main initial priority was to save the building from demolition and make it safe, there are plans to create a Literacy Centre for Children together with other family and children facilities.

The garden, which was rendered unsafe by vandals is also going to be made into a tourist and cultural attraction. Exact plans are not yet produced or agreed but the theme will be around children and Peter Pan.