NEWSLETTER
FEBRUARY 2008
From the Editor
At the recent AGM, a number of changes were made to the Committee, and a full list of the new Committee is given on page 5. Those who attended the AGM would have been shocked to hear of the sudden death of Mr Philip Schreiber who was to have spoken that evening on the subject of St Kilda. (A short Obituary is included in the Newsletter). The Committee were very grateful to Dr Peter Smith for stepping into the breach with a talk on Norway in winter, accompanied by some wonderful slides.
I am writing this on a day of snow and wind, so the idea of summer excursions seems appealing! Information about the day visits and the September Holiday to North-East England is contained in this Newsletter, and two forms are enclosed which you should be careful to complete in accordance .with the instructions on page 7. Please retain the Newsletter for information. If you have joined the Centre recently and have not yet been on any of our excursions, you are particularly welcome. Non-members are also welcome, but we have to make a small additional charge. If you have friends who are members of the National Trust for Scotland or the National Trust and who would be interested in our programme why not take this opportunity to persuade them to join the Centre?
Sheila Christie.
Renewal of Membership
For the convenience of those members who have not yet paid their subscriptions for the year 1st October 2007 - 30th September 2008, an application form for membership of the Centre is enclosed. In accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act which are now in force, if you are in this category and do not renew we are required to delete your name from our records. You will not receive any further copies of this Newsletter.
If you have not yet paid your subscription and wish to remain a member of the Centre please do renew your subscription now.
We do not want to lose you.
It should be noted that if you are in this category your 2007/2008 membership card and the application forms for the 2008 outings etc will be sent to you on receipt of your subscription.
Adelaide's
There are four remaining talks:-
- 12 March 2008 at 2:00pm *
- "Provan Hall". Speaker : Kathleen McMaster, Glasgow Councillor
- 26 March 2008 at 7:30pm
- "Glasgow Photographs". Speaker : Douglas Annan, Annan Family.
- 9 April 2008 at 2:00pm
- "Elgar - with musical illustrations". Speaker : Paul Bassett, Elgar Society.
- 23 April 2008 at 7:30pm
- "Upland Landscape". Speaker : Alasdair Eckersall N.T.S..
* N.B. This is the correct date, there is an error in the leaflet within "Scotland in Trust".
Chairman's Annual Report for the Year 2006/2007
I should like to start by wishing you all a happy, healthy and prosperous 2008. We had, I think, a very successful 2007. As usual the year fell into two distinct halves: the winter lecture series held in Adelaide's and the summer excursions and weekend tour.
We were extremely fortunate to have Mrs Shonaig MacPherson, Chairman and (then) acting Chief Executive of the N.T.S. to open the lecture series. Her enthusiastic and vibrant personality show her to be a splendid ambassador for the N.T.S.. I thought we had an interesting mix of topics from the restoration of the Kibble Palace (all the metal framework went to South Yorkshire for refurbishment) to Mr Dewar's Tour of Scotland via N.T.S. gardens, Oran Mor, the Jane Austen Society, Sir Thomas Lipton and Kenneth Burns' An Artist's View of the West End.
The programme does look a little biased towards Glasgow G12 but Mrs Audrey Gardner was fascinating as she took us on a tour of the history and architecture of Kelvinside Church to its present re-incarnation as Oran Mor and we are looking forward to a return visit in February 2008 when she will complete the story.
Our excursion programme was also, I think, a reasonable mix designed to appeal to the different interests of our members. We started with a trip to Arduaine which is always at its best in May and followed this with a visit to Blair Castle in June. We discovered a new coffee stop at Baxters at Tullibardine which proved very popular with our members. July found us at Abbotsford with a very enthusiastic guide and time for some garden. therapy at Harmony and Priorwood in the morning although the weather was not very kind to us. August saw us with a full bus to Broughton House, Kirkcudbright and an afternoon tea stop at Threave. Our October trip to Rosslyn Chapel and then to Kailzie Gardens near Peebles had a waiting list. I was particularly sorry to have missed that one.
Our weekend excursion in September to Shropshire was one of the most successful yet. We had learnt from experience not to overload the programme, but again there was something for everyone, ecclesiastical architecture in Shrewsbury Abbey, grand living at Attingham Park and industrial archeology at Iron Bridge.
Finally, I should like to thank the two retiring members of committee, Miss Margaret Surgenor and Mr David Baird for all their work over the years, and also to those members continuing, in particular Mr Bill Agnew, who has been willing to act as Vice Chairman for me on a number of occasions, and Miss Moira Young, our extremely hard-working and conscientious Honorary Secretary. I should also like to extend thanks to Miss Dorothy Kilgour and Miss Mairead Smith, for their help respectively in planning and administration of the excursion programme. Miss Smith has been unwell in recent months, but I am glad to say she is making some progress.
Helen Cargill-Thompson
The Centre Committee 2008/2009
Following the 2008 AGM the Office Bearers and Committee are as undernoted.
Chairman - Dr H Cargill-Thompson
Vice-Chairman - Mr G Miller
Secretary - Miss M Young
Treasurer - Miss J Currie
Committee - Miss M Bell, Mr W Agnew, Mrs S Christie, Mr T McGregor, Miss M E McDougall, Mr F Reeves, Mr R Mclvor, Mrs Maureen Scullion.
Obituary
Mr Philip Schreiber, who has died suddenly at the early age of 52, had worked for N.T.S. for 26 years, latterly as Lead Surveyor and before that as Conservation Manager for West Region. Philip was a keen hill-walker and passionate about St Kilda, which he had visited many times. He is survived by his wife Alison, and by his mother and brother, to whom we extend sympathy on behalf of our members.
The Tenement House
In 2008 we are celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the opening to the public of the Tenement House at 145 Buccleuch Street. The National Trust for Scotland purchased the flat in the previous year from Miss Anna Davidson (who still keeps in touch). She had bought the flat following the death in 1975 of Miss Agnes Toward who had lived there from the early years of the 20th century.
The House has gradually become well-known over the years, through magazine articles, TV programmes, guide books in many languages and by word of mouth. Visitors now come from all over the world. If you have never visited, or not for many years, please think of coming this year. The House will be open from 1st March to 31st October, every afternoon from 1 pm to 5 pm, last admission 4.30 pm.
When the Trust took over, it was decided that the House could only be managed with the help of volunteer guides. This has proved very successful, with a few of the guides recruited at the beginning still active! New guides are always welcome, how-ever, and if you would like further information please contact the property Manager, Lorna Hepburn, on 333 0183.
Sheila Christie
Volunteer Guide
Excursion Progrmme 2008
Five day visits and a five day holiday to North East England have been arranged and booking forms were enclosed with he printed version of this Newsletter. Please complete these as follows:
For day visits complete both sides of the form.
For the touring holiday, complete all three parts of the form. The forms should be sent along with :-
- the appropriate remittance for the day visits, and the £50 deposit for the holiday, and
- a separate stamped addressed envelope for each form to the Treasurer.
Cheques should be made out to "Glasgow Members' Centre N. T. S."
All the day excursions will leave from North Hanover Street, (close to the side en-trance of Queen Street Station). Please note particularly the time of departure for each excursion.
We aim to leave on time in the morning but the return times are only approximate. The first two excursions are to be on Thursdays but the others are on Saturdays. Apart from the visit to Brechin Castle where lunch is included, and Dun-fermline/Culross and Wanlockhead, when morning coffee is included, no lunches or refreshments are provided. Our various stops are arranged so that you can buy lunch, tea, coffee etc. You can alternatively bring your own provisions but please remember that good weather for picnics cannot be guaranteed!
We do not reserve specific seats on the coaches nor do we issue tickets. Please note the two seats immediately behind the driver are reserved for the use of the excursion leader, Please also remember to bring your NTS membership card with you on all excursions and of course suitable footwear and clothing.
Cancellations from Day Visits or Touring Holiday
If you have to cancel, please notify Miss Currie as soon as possible. We cannot offer refunds in respect of day visits, unless there are exceptional circumstances. The £50 deposit for the touring holiday will also not be re-funded, but the balance of the cost should be covered by insurance.
Non-Members are very welcome to come on the excursions. If you wish to bring a friend who is not a member of the Centre, please add £2 to your remittance as a fee for non-members. (i.e. £2 for each individual excursion as appropriate). The Committee have also decided that for the touring holiday, an additional charge of £10 will be applicable to non-members.
1. Brechin Castle and Gardens
Thursday 22 May 2008, Depart 8.45 am, Return 6.30 pm (approx)
Cost £35 (includes a light lunch)
Numbers limited to 40 people. Our first outing of the season is a private visit to the home of the Earl and Countess of Dalhousie and their family. The castle dates mainly from the 18th century and has a wealth of fine furniture, tapestries, and family portraits. We will stop for coffee, en route to Brechin, at Baxters, Tullibar-dine retail outlet at Blackford.
When we arrive at Brechin Castle we will have a guided tour followed by a lunch in the main dining room. After lunch there will be an opportunity to stroll round the gardens which are no-table for their rhododendrons and azaleas. A coffee/tea stop will be made at Bells Cherrybank Gar-dens Visitor Centre at Perth on our return journey to Glasgow.
2. Hutton - in - the - Forest, Cumbria
Thursday 12th June 2008, Depart 9.00 am, Return 6.30 pm (approx)
Cost £25
Hutton-In-The-Forest is an historic house near Penrith. It is the home of Lord and Lady Inglewood and their children, and has belonged to the family since 1605. The outside and interior of the house reflect a wide range of architectural and decorative styles from the 17th century to the present-day. There is a walled garden and terrace with Victorian topiary. The property has been described by Simon Jenkins as "One of England's top 100".
After leaving Glasgow we will stop at Moffat for coffee. There is a tea-room at Hutton-In-The-Forest where light lunches etc can be obtained during our visit.
3. Dumfermline & Culross
Saturday 5th July 2008, Depart 9.00 am, Return 6.30 pm (approx)
Cost £20 (includes morning coffee)
A stop for coffee will be made in the morning en route to Dumfermline where we will have a visit to the Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum. The Birthplace Cottage deals with Andrew Carnegie's early years in Dunfermline. His life story is continued in the ad-joining Memorial Hall with details of his career in America. There is a collection of memorabilia and the many honours bestowed on him.
We then continue to Culross where lunch and afternoon tea can be obtained at the Trust's Bessie Bar tearoom. We pro-pose to have guided tours of the village and palace.
4. Wanlockhead & Drumlanrig Castle
Saturday 9th August 2008, Depart 9.00 am, Return 6.30 pm (approx)
Cost £25 (includes tea/coffee at Wanlockhead)
Wanlockhead, in the Lowther Hills, is the highest village in Scotland. We will travel there directly from Glasgow to visit the Scottish Museum of Lead Mining located in the village. There will be an opportunity to take a guided tour of a lead mine. As the village is situated over 1,500ft above sea level it is recommended that members have warm clothing in case of adverse weather as well as suit-able shoes.
Afterwards the coach will take us to Drumlanrig Castle, the Dumfriesshire home of the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry, president of the N.T.S.. A light lunch (not included) and refreshments can be obtained in the tearoom at the castle. Drumlanrig, built in the local pink sandstone, is one of the first and most important Renaissance buildings in the grand manner in Scottish do-mestic architecture. The castle contains many fine items of furniture and a celebrated art collection.
5. "Discovery" at Dundee and Kellie Castle
Saturday 11th October 2008, Depart 9.00 am, Return 6.30 pm (approx.)
Cost £20
In the morning we will visit the Royal Research Ship Discovery at Discovery Quay, Dundee. There will be a stop for coffee en route. Discovery was built in 1901/04 for the British National Antarctic Expedition led by Captain Scott.
The museum at Discovery Point interprets the history of the ship, her expeditions, and the men who served on her. There is an interesting collec-tion of artefacts. Our lunch stop will be at Discovery Quay where a light lunch and re-freshments can be obtained. There is also a tearoom at Kellie.
After lunch we visit Kellie Castle, near Pittenweem, which is owned by the N.T.S.. The castle was restored by the Lorimer family in 1878 and is noted for its magnificent plaster ceilings. The former stable block houses an exhibition on Hew Lorimer the sculptor and a recreation of his sculpture studio.
Five day Touring Holiday to Northeast England
Friday 12th - Tuesday 16th September 2008
Cost £325 (sharing a twin room)
£350 (single)
We will stay for four nights, on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis at the Holiday Inn, Washington which is 7 miles from Newcastle. The lounge and bar area of the hotel have recently been refurbished.
Visits are planned to Alnwick Castle and Gardens, Beamish Open Air Museum, and to two national Trust properties: Wallington, a magnificent mansion and Washington Old Hall, a manor house. We will also visit Durham city for independent sightseeing. The price includes the admission charges for Alnwick Castle/Gar-dens, Beamish, insurance and the driver's gratuity.
We have obtained a large number of single rooms. As demand for these is always high and can exceed our allocation it is recommended that you book early if you want a single room. Some members may wish to consider sharing a twin-bedded room. If you wish to bring a friend who is not a member of the Centre there will be a supplement of £10 payable by the non-member. Applications will be dealt with in order of receipt. These should be submitted by 20th March using the booking form accompanied by a deposit of £50 per person. The deposit will be non-refundable.