Musings from the Merse
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
HOME SWEET (as in sugar) HOME
One of the best sources of information on our own local stately home, Paxton House is at http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/berwick/paxtonhouse/index.html and what an intriguing story it is and how well it is told by the guides who take parties around this historic mansion. A bloggee has added a very topical dimension in showing the connection between the earlier owners of the house and slavery in the West Indies. According to research into public records the saga is as follows;
"I noticed in your Musings a recent reference to Paxton House and the Laird's ancestral connections with slavery and sugar plantation wealth in the West Indies. Perhaps your readers may be interested in a summary of some of the published references to this chapter of the Home family history in the 18th century.
In 1700 Sir George Home, the 3rd Bart. of Wedderburn owned the Paxton estate. Sir George had his estates confiscated by the government for his part in the ill-fated, French-backed Jacobite uprising of 1715.
A relative of Sir George, the Revd. Ninian Home of Billie, recovered the estates by complex legal moves and then gave them back to Sir George in return for Sir George's agreement to his marrying Margaret, Sir George's eldest daughter and 30 years the Revd. Ninian's junior.
The Revd. Ninian and Margaret Home had 4 children, the eldest was Patrick. After the death of his father, Patrick inherited the Paxton estate when his mother was murdered by her butler.
While the Revd. Ninian was busy with Margaret, Sir George's other daughter Isabel married the Revd. Ninian's other son Alexander (from his first marriage). Alexander and Isabel had a son also called Ninian (Jnr).
At the age of 19, Ninian (Jnr) left to join his uncle George in Culpeper Virginia who had emigrated in 1715 and owned land and plantations in Virginia. At this time black slave labour was imported by colonists from Africa to work on their plantations. It seems that the young Ninian learned his trade there, then, after a few years in St Kitts, became a sugar plantation owner in Grenada. The British colonists in the West Indies also imported their slave labour from Africa.
He made his fortune in Grenada and bought the unfinished Paxton House in 1775 from Patrick for £15000 (equivalent now about £750,000?), for his occasional visits to Scotland, and employed the Chippendale Co to furnish it.
Ninian (Jnr) was a major landowner in Grenada and was clearly very successful and was made Lieutenant Governor in 1792. However, he is described in one paper as "a tyrannical, jingoistic zealot who was responsible for the catastrophic events of 1795/96"( see http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/ctccs/research/theses/polson/-Blogg-ed)
In 1795, the black slave workers of Grenada revolted against the oppression of their British masters. The revolt lasted 18 months, caused the deaths of about 100 British settlers, almost lost one of the richest British colonies and resulted in the economic ruin of Grenada. Amongst those killed was Ninian (Jnr).
On Ninian (Jnr's) death, Paxton House passed to his younger brother George"
End of story: Other references available on request)
The Prime Minister has recently expressed regret at Britain's involvement in the slave trade-not an apology but an acknowledgement of our ancestors role in what was a crime against humanity although, as he pointed out not regarded as a crime in those days-merely enterprising and highly profitable commerce. So many fine buildings and I dare say some still flourishing businesses have their origins in this era and as a direct result of money made in the trade in human beings. It may be that the Paxton Trust, now the owners of Paxton House, will follow Mr Blair's example and express their own regret how this fine building was at least finished as a result of money made overseas in sugar plantations employing, it must be assumed, quantities of slaves.
It was good to hear that one of the guides at the recent open day referred to the slave trade connection. Indeed there a clues in the house if you know where to look. One painting (in the corridor leading from the mainannex to an annexe) is by a descendant of a slave and it is of one of the former Home plantations- They had two in Granada. The painter visited Paxton House by invitation frpm the Homes in the early 1950s and was invited to spend the night there by the then chatelaine. Two other paintings, in one of the bedrooms are contemporary studies of the plantations. Perhaps the Paxton Trust might mark the celebrations (next year) of British legislation to ban the slave trade by inviting descendants of former slaves who had worked for the Homes to come to Paxton House as guests of the Trust. A nice little 'expression of regret' would then also not go amiss.
Of course the Home family no longer own Paxton House. But they used to. Will they be saying anything about their connection with slaving and sugar? Now is the time to do it. Where the Blairs lead can the Homes dare to follow?
One of the best sources of information on our own local stately home, Paxton House is at http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/berwick/paxtonhouse/index.html and what an intriguing story it is and how well it is told by the guides who take parties around this historic mansion. A bloggee has added a very topical dimension in showing the connection between the earlier owners of the house and slavery in the West Indies. According to research into public records the saga is as follows;
"I noticed in your Musings a recent reference to Paxton House and the Laird's ancestral connections with slavery and sugar plantation wealth in the West Indies. Perhaps your readers may be interested in a summary of some of the published references to this chapter of the Home family history in the 18th century.
In 1700 Sir George Home, the 3rd Bart. of Wedderburn owned the Paxton estate. Sir George had his estates confiscated by the government for his part in the ill-fated, French-backed Jacobite uprising of 1715.
A relative of Sir George, the Revd. Ninian Home of Billie, recovered the estates by complex legal moves and then gave them back to Sir George in return for Sir George's agreement to his marrying Margaret, Sir George's eldest daughter and 30 years the Revd. Ninian's junior.
The Revd. Ninian and Margaret Home had 4 children, the eldest was Patrick. After the death of his father, Patrick inherited the Paxton estate when his mother was murdered by her butler.
While the Revd. Ninian was busy with Margaret, Sir George's other daughter Isabel married the Revd. Ninian's other son Alexander (from his first marriage). Alexander and Isabel had a son also called Ninian (Jnr).
At the age of 19, Ninian (Jnr) left to join his uncle George in Culpeper Virginia who had emigrated in 1715 and owned land and plantations in Virginia. At this time black slave labour was imported by colonists from Africa to work on their plantations. It seems that the young Ninian learned his trade there, then, after a few years in St Kitts, became a sugar plantation owner in Grenada. The British colonists in the West Indies also imported their slave labour from Africa.
He made his fortune in Grenada and bought the unfinished Paxton House in 1775 from Patrick for £15000 (equivalent now about £750,000?), for his occasional visits to Scotland, and employed the Chippendale Co to furnish it.
Ninian (Jnr) was a major landowner in Grenada and was clearly very successful and was made Lieutenant Governor in 1792. However, he is described in one paper as "a tyrannical, jingoistic zealot who was responsible for the catastrophic events of 1795/96"( see http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/ctccs/research/theses/polson/-Blogg-ed)
In 1795, the black slave workers of Grenada revolted against the oppression of their British masters. The revolt lasted 18 months, caused the deaths of about 100 British settlers, almost lost one of the richest British colonies and resulted in the economic ruin of Grenada. Amongst those killed was Ninian (Jnr).
On Ninian (Jnr's) death, Paxton House passed to his younger brother George"
End of story: Other references available on request)
The Prime Minister has recently expressed regret at Britain's involvement in the slave trade-not an apology but an acknowledgement of our ancestors role in what was a crime against humanity although, as he pointed out not regarded as a crime in those days-merely enterprising and highly profitable commerce. So many fine buildings and I dare say some still flourishing businesses have their origins in this era and as a direct result of money made in the trade in human beings. It may be that the Paxton Trust, now the owners of Paxton House, will follow Mr Blair's example and express their own regret how this fine building was at least finished as a result of money made overseas in sugar plantations employing, it must be assumed, quantities of slaves.
It was good to hear that one of the guides at the recent open day referred to the slave trade connection. Indeed there a clues in the house if you know where to look. One painting (in the corridor leading from the mainannex to an annexe) is by a descendant of a slave and it is of one of the former Home plantations- They had two in Granada. The painter visited Paxton House by invitation frpm the Homes in the early 1950s and was invited to spend the night there by the then chatelaine. Two other paintings, in one of the bedrooms are contemporary studies of the plantations. Perhaps the Paxton Trust might mark the celebrations (next year) of British legislation to ban the slave trade by inviting descendants of former slaves who had worked for the Homes to come to Paxton House as guests of the Trust. A nice little 'expression of regret' would then also not go amiss.
Of course the Home family no longer own Paxton House. But they used to. Will they be saying anything about their connection with slaving and sugar? Now is the time to do it. Where the Blairs lead can the Homes dare to follow?
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Last Thursday's Berwickshire carried this item about an exhibition starting at Paxton House this weekend:
A BATTLE against blindness meant that Patrick Murphy's latest exhibition, 'New Horizons', almost never saw the light of day.
Last Christmas, Patrick faced every artist's worst nightmare when he suddenly lost his sight, due to illness. With his excellent reputation, ongoing commitments and a lifelong passion for painting, the outlook for this well known artist could hardly have seemed bleaker.
Patrick, however, is not the kind of man to back down in the face of a challenge. He turned a blind eye to pessimism and decided to fight for his sight.
This challenge makes the paintings that will shortly go on display at Paxton House even more extraordinary than their scope, immediacy and sheer evocative power suggest.
"I was determined that I would paint again," said Patrick, whose work over many years has earned him a wealth of admirers in the Scottish Borders, as well as further afield.
"I underwent two operations to restore my sight, but my regained vision was badly distorted. It was five months before I could work again."
In spite of eye surgery, it took a positive attitude and a great deal of perseverance for Patrick's artistic output to reach its previous standards.
"The greatest difficulty at first was that the brush kept landing on the paper half an inch from where I'd intended it to," he explained. "It took a lot of discipline and practice to train myself into seeing properly again.
"I guess you could say my art skipped a beat. But I set my restored sights on the upcoming exhibition at Paxton House and refused to entertain the idea that it wouldn't happen."
Patrick's hard work and willpower has more than paid off. Indeed, it is almost impossible to believe that the artist responsible for the 'New Horizons' exhibition was effectively blind less than a year ago.
His watercolours bring to vivid, perceptive life scenes from as far afield as the Scottish Borders, western Wales, France, Italy, Croatia and the Outer Hebrides.
Visitors will be treated to secluded courtyards, dynamic coastlines, Mediterranean sunshine, brooding Scottish skies and a vividly rich selection of other views, all executed with a fluent sense of time and place and with, well... with a truly gifted artistic eye.
Patrick, who has been a frequent and popular exhibitor at Paxton House for many years, said: "I'm really delighted that my first major exhibition since my return to painting will be here. I feel a special affinity with Paxton House, so this is the perfect place to celebrate my comeback. It's a special exhibition for me and I hope that visitors to Paxton House will enjoy it too."
l'New Horizons – Watercolours 2005 and 2006' will be on display at Paxton House from September 8-24. Opening hours are 10am to 5pm.
31 August 2006«
We are the proud owners of a 'Murphy' bought at a charity event in Christ Church Duns two years ago. It is of the Whiteadder just below Hutton Mill Bridge on the Hutton/Foulden road. Not a great photograph (on the patio, with the glass on) but conveys the artist's style and attention to detail. The exhibition will be worth a visit
Friday, November 03, 2006
It is not often that Huttonian reads good sense in the Berwickshire Letter Columns but this, extracts reproduced below, strikes a chord especially with a self confessed golfing nut
I am sure a great many people on both the Scottish and English sides of the eastern Borders would like to see the economy of the area greatly improved and strengthened.
One way this could be achieved would be if the two countries in Europe with the finest golfing traditions ie Scotland and England,(Oy What about Norn Iron-blogg-ed) were able to co-host the Ryder Cup at some point in time in the future.
This may seem an ambitious prospect but to me the ideal place for such a project is in the area between Coldstream and Berwick-upon-Tweed. Of course there would be many difficulties as there always are with any big project that requires a large amount of investment, however, this scheme would be of great benefit to the area and any drawbacks would be heavily outweighted by the benefits to the local economy and the population living there.
A new championship course straddling the Border would be unique and strategically it would be in one of the best locations in Europe for hosting golf's top team event. I hope the opinions and ideas of the world's top golf course architects would be sought and those in power in terms of both politics and financshoulddl be encouraged to take this idea further.
If you compare this potentialal project with the Channel Tunnel another great scheme that got the go-ahead, I think it compares favourably in terms of investment required, problems to overcome, ability to pay for itself and benefits to the local Border economy.
Just as the Channel Tunnel linked England and France, this new course would bring together Scotland and England so that these two countries could co-host a future Ryder Cup.
If fulfilled this would be a great project bringing together these two great nations and would be one which would really put the eastern Borders well and truly on the map. As for a name, thinknk the Tweed Valley Country Club would be most appropriate.
Hutton Think Tank (Golf and Country Club section) agrees that the project should lie between Coldstream and Berwick and suggests that the course be centred on the existing Paxton House estate with most holes on Scottish side of the Tweed stretching as far as Hutton Hill-there could be a splendid par 5 from the top Hutton Paxton Road to the top of the Whiteadder gorge over the hill. A few holes on the English side opposite Paxton House running up to the Chain Bridge with a dedicated ferry to carry golfers across to the English section, returning via the Chain bridge to a final hole through Tweedhill to Paxton House. Paxton House (Trust) itself would double as a new club house and be extended to include the Apple House-I am sure the present owner would not mind moving to his son's flat in Edinburgh so near to his place of work. And the creation of a golf course (or two) would seal the future of Knowe's Close to the benefit of local people who would find good local employment as caddies, greenkeepers etc. Also local farmers anxious to sell their land (we are assured that profitable farming is dead) could run, chuckling, all the way to the Bank of Scotland.(Nearest one traceable via the Calcutta Call centre)
Objections to the HTT dead letter box.
They will be ignored.
As usual.
I am sure a great many people on both the Scottish and English sides of the eastern Borders would like to see the economy of the area greatly improved and strengthened.
One way this could be achieved would be if the two countries in Europe with the finest golfing traditions ie Scotland and England,(Oy What about Norn Iron-blogg-ed) were able to co-host the Ryder Cup at some point in time in the future.
This may seem an ambitious prospect but to me the ideal place for such a project is in the area between Coldstream and Berwick-upon-Tweed. Of course there would be many difficulties as there always are with any big project that requires a large amount of investment, however, this scheme would be of great benefit to the area and any drawbacks would be heavily outweighted by the benefits to the local economy and the population living there.
A new championship course straddling the Border would be unique and strategically it would be in one of the best locations in Europe for hosting golf's top team event. I hope the opinions and ideas of the world's top golf course architects would be sought and those in power in terms of both politics and financshoulddl be encouraged to take this idea further.
If you compare this potentialal project with the Channel Tunnel another great scheme that got the go-ahead, I think it compares favourably in terms of investment required, problems to overcome, ability to pay for itself and benefits to the local Border economy.
Just as the Channel Tunnel linked England and France, this new course would bring together Scotland and England so that these two countries could co-host a future Ryder Cup.
If fulfilled this would be a great project bringing together these two great nations and would be one which would really put the eastern Borders well and truly on the map. As for a name, thinknk the Tweed Valley Country Club would be most appropriate.
Hutton Think Tank (Golf and Country Club section) agrees that the project should lie between Coldstream and Berwick and suggests that the course be centred on the existing Paxton House estate with most holes on Scottish side of the Tweed stretching as far as Hutton Hill-there could be a splendid par 5 from the top Hutton Paxton Road to the top of the Whiteadder gorge over the hill. A few holes on the English side opposite Paxton House running up to the Chain Bridge with a dedicated ferry to carry golfers across to the English section, returning via the Chain bridge to a final hole through Tweedhill to Paxton House. Paxton House (Trust) itself would double as a new club house and be extended to include the Apple House-I am sure the present owner would not mind moving to his son's flat in Edinburgh so near to his place of work. And the creation of a golf course (or two) would seal the future of Knowe's Close to the benefit of local people who would find good local employment as caddies, greenkeepers etc. Also local farmers anxious to sell their land (we are assured that profitable farming is dead) could run, chuckling, all the way to the Bank of Scotland.(Nearest one traceable via the Calcutta Call centre)
Objections to the HTT dead letter box.
They will be ignored.
As usual.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Buy one-set one free*
After all that nervousness amongst the highheidyins of the Paxton House Trust the media reaction to the Descendants concert has been entirely favourable-even if media is mostly confined to that well known organ-the Berwickshire News. Story as follows (but remember, you first read it here)
Bicentenary of slave trade abolition marked
Former Paxton House owners was killed in slave uprising
CARIBBEAN CHOREOGRAPHY: Visitors performed a selection of dances throughout the
CARIBBEAN music and dance came to Paxton House on Saturday June 30 as descendants of slaves celebrated the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade at the former home of a slave owner.
Ninian Home of Paxton had two sugar plantations in Grenada, he became Governor of the island in 1793, but he was killed in a slave uprising in 1795.
The Paxton Trust invited members of the Descendants organisation in the Grenadian community in London to mark the bicentenary of abolition at Paxton. Descendants coordinator Margaret Noel explained that the group was encouraging young black people in Britain to understand the past and to look to the future.
She expressed pride in the contribution that Grenadian descendants are making in Britain today, including Johnson Beharry who won the Victoria Cross in Iraq and Lewis Hamilton, the new star of Formula One Racing.
Forty Descendants members, including young people, parents and teachers spent the weekend in Berwickshire, staying at Coldingham Youth Hostel, viewing documents and paintings of 18th century Grenada at Paxton, and performing caribbean dance, drama and music to celebrate the bicentenary of abolition. Paxton Trust staff and members of the Eyemouth Scouts were the hosts for the day's activities.
Lord Soley, the former MP for Ealing Acton and Shepherds Bush, who helped to organise the contact between Descendants and Paxton, congratulated the Paxton Trust on a courageous initiative to understand the history of slavery and to build a new link with the afro-caribbean community in London.
Paxton trustee and former local MP John Home Robertson said: "The abolition of the slave trade in 1807 was a turning point in history.
"I am ashamed of the fact that a member of my family once owned slaves, and I was thrilled to see young Londoners celebrating the bicentenary of abolition at Paxton and learning from a historic link in Scotland.
"There is more to learn from our archive of documents from Paxton and Grenada,- we even have an extraordinary letter from Ninian Home saying that 'a manager of a plantation should consider himself as the father of the slaves… They are human beings as well as ourselves'- obviously slavery was a complete denial of humanity."
Paxton Trust Director John Malden concluded "This has been a successful event and a very moving occasion. We thoroughly enjoyed the visit by some lively and enthusiastic young afro-caribbean Londoners, and we intend to build on this contact with the Descendants organisation".
Go to www.berwickshirenews.co.uk to comment on this story. (Huttonian suggests that you do)
So perhaps 'next time' Mr Malden et alios might spread the word more widely and share a fun event with more people.
(* An eighteenth century slogan from Sir Morrisons? Granada Store?. Dunno. Blog ed)
After all that nervousness amongst the highheidyins of the Paxton House Trust the media reaction to the Descendants concert has been entirely favourable-even if media is mostly confined to that well known organ-the Berwickshire News. Story as follows (but remember, you first read it here)
Bicentenary of slave trade abolition marked
Former Paxton House owners was killed in slave uprising
CARIBBEAN CHOREOGRAPHY: Visitors performed a selection of dances throughout the
CARIBBEAN music and dance came to Paxton House on Saturday June 30 as descendants of slaves celebrated the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade at the former home of a slave owner.
Ninian Home of Paxton had two sugar plantations in Grenada, he became Governor of the island in 1793, but he was killed in a slave uprising in 1795.
The Paxton Trust invited members of the Descendants organisation in the Grenadian community in London to mark the bicentenary of abolition at Paxton. Descendants coordinator Margaret Noel explained that the group was encouraging young black people in Britain to understand the past and to look to the future.
She expressed pride in the contribution that Grenadian descendants are making in Britain today, including Johnson Beharry who won the Victoria Cross in Iraq and Lewis Hamilton, the new star of Formula One Racing.
Forty Descendants members, including young people, parents and teachers spent the weekend in Berwickshire, staying at Coldingham Youth Hostel, viewing documents and paintings of 18th century Grenada at Paxton, and performing caribbean dance, drama and music to celebrate the bicentenary of abolition. Paxton Trust staff and members of the Eyemouth Scouts were the hosts for the day's activities.
Lord Soley, the former MP for Ealing Acton and Shepherds Bush, who helped to organise the contact between Descendants and Paxton, congratulated the Paxton Trust on a courageous initiative to understand the history of slavery and to build a new link with the afro-caribbean community in London.
Paxton trustee and former local MP John Home Robertson said: "The abolition of the slave trade in 1807 was a turning point in history.
"I am ashamed of the fact that a member of my family once owned slaves, and I was thrilled to see young Londoners celebrating the bicentenary of abolition at Paxton and learning from a historic link in Scotland.
"There is more to learn from our archive of documents from Paxton and Grenada,- we even have an extraordinary letter from Ninian Home saying that 'a manager of a plantation should consider himself as the father of the slaves… They are human beings as well as ourselves'- obviously slavery was a complete denial of humanity."
Paxton Trust Director John Malden concluded "This has been a successful event and a very moving occasion. We thoroughly enjoyed the visit by some lively and enthusiastic young afro-caribbean Londoners, and we intend to build on this contact with the Descendants organisation".
Go to www.berwickshirenews.co.uk to comment on this story. (Huttonian suggests that you do)
So perhaps 'next time' Mr Malden et alios might spread the word more widely and share a fun event with more people.
(* An eighteenth century slogan from Sir Morrisons? Granada Store?. Dunno. Blog ed)
Labels: Descendants, Merse, Paxton House, Sir Morrison's, Slave trade
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Fishy Story?
In a previous post I mentioned the opening of this museum in Paxton house if only to draw attention to some self congratulatory comments by the Laird. The Museum itself is well worth a visit with a state of the art interactive display which is fun to play with even if you don't have any interest in fishing-as millions don't.
World's oldest fishing club opens museum
Major Alexander Trotter officially opens the new museum
ELLEM Fishing Club, the oldest fishing club in the world, now has a permanent exhibition at Paxton House, and alongside the equipment, medals and information panels on display are mannequins exhibiting the traditional costume of 1829 along with the contemporary costume of today.
The Lord Lieutenant of Berwickshire, Major Alexander Trotter, carried out the opening ceremony at the museum, situated just off the courtyard of the house, watched by club members, guests, associates and sponsors.
The exhibition also contains a record of a club still going strong today and the Lord Lieutenant described the inter-active display as "superb".
It covers the Whiteadder from Ellemford, the birthplace of the club 175 years ago, to the River Tweed. (Berwickshire 12 June)
The Borders has more than its fair share of surnames with Animal Farm connections. Here we have a Trotter, presumably a cousin to the Piggs. Hoggs a plenty (two columns in the phone book) several Cowes, one Bullock, in Scremeston, at least.The odd Duck has been spotted.There is at least one Cock(s) in Melrose.A number of Birds Then of course Swanns(the former Deputy Lord Lieutenant, no less)and a Stag (in Hawick),lots of Foxes(if that is correctly the plural of the name Fox) a flock of Lambs-no Sheep but a handful of Sheerins ( a bit underemployed, presumably) Sadly not a Ramsbottom Other nominations welcome.
One thought. Can the Ellem club with only 175 years behind it really be the oldest one in the world? Seems unlikely given how long fishing has been a popular pastime. What happened to those beery and boastful dens that the Complete Angler aka Isaak Walton, use to frequent. Or the Xanadu Angling Club, President Kubla Khan, which used to fish the River Alph? Is it not still going? Has anyone checked?
In the meanwhile the blog can certify that Ellem Fishing Club is the only one in the world to have a museum in Paxton House.
In a previous post I mentioned the opening of this museum in Paxton house if only to draw attention to some self congratulatory comments by the Laird. The Museum itself is well worth a visit with a state of the art interactive display which is fun to play with even if you don't have any interest in fishing-as millions don't.
World's oldest fishing club opens museum
Major Alexander Trotter officially opens the new museum
ELLEM Fishing Club, the oldest fishing club in the world, now has a permanent exhibition at Paxton House, and alongside the equipment, medals and information panels on display are mannequins exhibiting the traditional costume of 1829 along with the contemporary costume of today.
The Lord Lieutenant of Berwickshire, Major Alexander Trotter, carried out the opening ceremony at the museum, situated just off the courtyard of the house, watched by club members, guests, associates and sponsors.
The exhibition also contains a record of a club still going strong today and the Lord Lieutenant described the inter-active display as "superb".
It covers the Whiteadder from Ellemford, the birthplace of the club 175 years ago, to the River Tweed. (Berwickshire 12 June)
The Borders has more than its fair share of surnames with Animal Farm connections. Here we have a Trotter, presumably a cousin to the Piggs. Hoggs a plenty (two columns in the phone book) several Cowes, one Bullock, in Scremeston, at least.The odd Duck has been spotted.There is at least one Cock(s) in Melrose.A number of Birds Then of course Swanns(the former Deputy Lord Lieutenant, no less)and a Stag (in Hawick),lots of Foxes(if that is correctly the plural of the name Fox) a flock of Lambs-no Sheep but a handful of Sheerins ( a bit underemployed, presumably) Sadly not a Ramsbottom Other nominations welcome.
One thought. Can the Ellem club with only 175 years behind it really be the oldest one in the world? Seems unlikely given how long fishing has been a popular pastime. What happened to those beery and boastful dens that the Complete Angler aka Isaak Walton, use to frequent. Or the Xanadu Angling Club, President Kubla Khan, which used to fish the River Alph? Is it not still going? Has anyone checked?
In the meanwhile the blog can certify that Ellem Fishing Club is the only one in the world to have a museum in Paxton House.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Borders Bus
I saw a wondrous sight the other day-the Number 32 with two people in it. So perhaps with free bus travel for the crumblies our bus service will get some support. Not from commuters however-first bus from Hutton is in good time to start a 9-5 existence as long as your bus does not mind you being slightly late for the coffee break-but its then out of the office by 3-30 to get home. This elderly poem by a Merse muse is still apt enough
The number 32
from Golden Square to Timbuktu.
Via Paxton House (summer only)
Fishwick crossroads,
Paxton,
Hutton bus shelter
and
back again.
It’s integrated Borders style;
perfectly timed to leave Berwick station
just before the train arrives
And to return just after the next one
leaves.
And at one thirty it gets
exhausted
with all this excitement
and
stops for the day.
Thus being perfectly suited
to
the one way commuter.
Satisfaction rating:
100 percent.
No one has ever complained.
Not because Borderers are
stoic folk.
resigned to their lot
But because
the bus is always empty.
No one, it seems
wants to go
To
Timbuktu.
(even via Paxton House in the summer)
And I have yet to see anyone get on at Paxton House.
Or get off for that matter.
(I put 'Borders Bus' into Flickr-the result is as above-wrong Border I suspect or else the result of an incident in Duns Civic Week?)
Labels: Borders Bus, Merse
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Brushwood Hut Paxton House
If you go down to the woods today you won't meet Paxton Ted who is in hibernation. But you could come across this hut above the Tweed in Paxton House grounds. Its purpose is unclear-perhaps it hasn't got one until small boys find it. Forests near Versailles in France have lots of edifices like this. It may of course be an outstation for Fishwick Special Branch who are looking for a quiet traffic free location.
Friday, December 15, 2006
The happy event has not evented yet and could possibly drag on until after Christmas but Huttonian, although possibly surplus to requirements, will travel south tomorrow as planned to join the wife etc in north London to join the waiters. Blogging may be a bit intermittent and may not be of much immediate interest to Merse watchers. Lots of baby shots eventually, I fear-Chain Bridge Bloggee-you have been warned.
Someone -an occasional visitor to Musings is intrigued about the connection between the slave trade and the early days of Paxton. Why not flaunt it rather than remain coy? He (or she) suggests. Next year will have a big focus on the Slave Trade, the 200th anniversary of it abolition in British legislation. Surely, She (or he) asks is not time to stop being ashamed of our part in it;a long time ago and nothing to do with modern Britain.
Indeed Paxton House could exploit the connection- mount an exhibition about its links to slavery, commission a statue of Ninian Home.invite back slave descendants from Granada and put them on display in the gallery as honoured guests (free to go t any time), market its own brand of Paxton House sugar with a warning 'Not made by slave labour' (at least not in the Caribbean; Bangladesh?)Build a small sugar plantation on the croquet lawn and charge visitors a small fee for working on it on a PYO basis-minimal costume provided, shackles optional. Perhaps, to add local colour, chain the salmon fishermen together when they do their netting (they are all white, so no offence likely to be taken) Have the occasional manumission celebration for any member of staff contemplating retirement, Build a replica of a slave galley and have it sail up and down the Tweed to the Chain (no pun intended) Bridge; it could be a floating restaurant franchised to MacDonalds thus recreating the original cuisine with a fair degree of authenticity. Come on Paxton House Trust, the
possibilities are endless and only bounded by your imagination.(And a share of the profits to social services in Granada as is only right and proper).
Hutton Think Tank is on the case
Someone -an occasional visitor to Musings is intrigued about the connection between the slave trade and the early days of Paxton. Why not flaunt it rather than remain coy? He (or she) suggests. Next year will have a big focus on the Slave Trade, the 200th anniversary of it abolition in British legislation. Surely, She (or he) asks is not time to stop being ashamed of our part in it;a long time ago and nothing to do with modern Britain.
Indeed Paxton House could exploit the connection- mount an exhibition about its links to slavery, commission a statue of Ninian Home.invite back slave descendants from Granada and put them on display in the gallery as honoured guests (free to go t any time), market its own brand of Paxton House sugar with a warning 'Not made by slave labour' (at least not in the Caribbean; Bangladesh?)Build a small sugar plantation on the croquet lawn and charge visitors a small fee for working on it on a PYO basis-minimal costume provided, shackles optional. Perhaps, to add local colour, chain the salmon fishermen together when they do their netting (they are all white, so no offence likely to be taken) Have the occasional manumission celebration for any member of staff contemplating retirement, Build a replica of a slave galley and have it sail up and down the Tweed to the Chain (no pun intended) Bridge; it could be a floating restaurant franchised to MacDonalds thus recreating the original cuisine with a fair degree of authenticity. Come on Paxton House Trust, the
possibilities are endless and only bounded by your imagination.(And a share of the profits to social services in Granada as is only right and proper).
Hutton Think Tank is on the case
Saturday, June 30, 2007
ROOTS-The Concert
As promised Huttonian attended the concert at Paxton House by the 'Descendant Youth group. Despite almost non existent publicity it was pretty full, albiet mainly of people who were part of the Descendant's entourage. As well as delightful singing and dancing by a very young team of Grenadians-or of Grenadine descent there was an exhibition of posters and articles about the slave trade, the Grenada connection and the revolt of 1795/6 in which, a former owner of Paxton House, Ninian Home was killed. Also famous Grenadians were featured including Lewis Hamilton the Grand Prix driver and the only winner of a VC in the Iraq conflict.The Laird got to his feet at the end and mentioned the historical connection between Paxton House and the Slave Trade and said how 'deeply ashamed' he was of his forebear Ninian Home. This went down well with a representative of the group who accepted that the slave trade needed to be kept in a historical context and not resurrected as part of a modern retrospective blame game.So no aggressive rattling of chains nor angry demands for reparations-a pity more was not made of this very moving celebration. Had it been better advertised I am sure you could have filled the Picture Gallery many times over.
Part of the exhibition were paintings by the children of the Scottish/Grenada connection-mostly palm trees and Saltires but at least one youngster had a go with the Ninian Home angle-presuming that is the intention of the image of an 18th Century gent and his lady.
I suggest you click on the images to get the fine detail
Labels: Grenada, Merse, Paxton House, Slave trade
Descendants
There are17500 plus images of 'Grenada' in Flickr- add 'Slavery' into the search engine and the only relevant picture is this. Given the great slave revolt of 1796 and how the original prosperity of Grenada ( profits mostly exported by the plantation owners to the UK) was based on sugar plantations this seems somewhat surprising unless there has been a concerted effort to obscure any record of those unhappy days. I mention this only in the context of the afternoon of Dance, Drama and Music' at Paxton House given by the London Youth Group 'Descendants' influenced as the flyer says 'by their Grenadian Heritage'. We have mentioned before the suitability of this afternoon's setting given the direct connection between the original owners of Paxton House and the sugar plantations of Grenada-an earlier owner: Nivian Home was deputy governor of Grenada and was killed in a slave revolt-possibly that of 1796.
Sadly this event has been very badly advertised. A few rather uninspiring flyers at the shop, a couple of uninformative notices giving little details (and those few being wrong as it is only today and not the whole 'weekend' for the performance) Why put it on and then try to bury it? Is someone somewhere (in the Paxton House Trust?) a bit nervous about drawing attention to the early days of Scotland's Finest Palladian Mansion?' And how much of it was subsidised by the income from sugar. And so what? That's part of our history. Recognise it, deplore it if you must and move on
Huttonian will however attend (2pm onwards) and will do his best to propogate a few images of the children' show.
Thanks to knautia for the picture-go o http://www.flickr.com/blog.gne
for more details
Sadly this event has been very badly advertised. A few rather uninspiring flyers at the shop, a couple of uninformative notices giving little details (and those few being wrong as it is only today and not the whole 'weekend' for the performance) Why put it on and then try to bury it? Is someone somewhere (in the Paxton House Trust?) a bit nervous about drawing attention to the early days of Scotland's Finest Palladian Mansion?' And how much of it was subsidised by the income from sugar. And so what? That's part of our history. Recognise it, deplore it if you must and move on
Huttonian will however attend (2pm onwards) and will do his best to propogate a few images of the children' show.
Thanks to knautia for the picture-go o http://www.flickr.com/blog.gne
for more details
Saturday, October 15, 2005
Americans flock to New England to see the 'Fall Colors' as they mispell it but you don't have to go very far in the Merse to match them-if less garish and more subtle than Vermont of upstate New York. Our own Paxton House (sorry 'Streamer but you should have a second look ) must have the most attractive car parks in the shortstay Borders and even the Highland Coos have an autumnal tint. (Sorry about some duplication -pretend its in stereo) The entrane to Paxton House is also spectacular this time of year. And you don't have to go into Paxton House to enjoy the colours-the rounds around are spectacular enough.
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
If you follow the link below you (and click on 'image alon' at the top) you will find an old image about a peculiar notice at Paxton House (sorry 'streamer I need to refer to our nearest Stately Home now and again-please forgive me) This notice is still in situ and I really must comment again for the umpteenth time that it is some what diffident if not actually misleading. Why can't wheel chair users be categorically warned that the path is not repeat not suitable for wheel chairs. Steep gradient yes but the problem is not so much the slope-I've seen worse on Slieve Donard in Norn Iron -but the several flights of slippery steps on that path which separates Paxton House croquet lawn from the river Tweed. Chair bound people will need to accept for the moment that the river bank is off limits to them. And given the importance of disabled access it is thought that some thing should be done to give disabled people a suitable track down the hill to view the river. High Heidians at Paxton House Trust take note please.
http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://photos1.blogger.com/img/223/900/640/Strange%2520notice.jpg&imgrefurl=http://huttonian.blogspot.com/2004_08_01_huttonian_archive.html&h=480&w=640&sz=64&tbnid=R4IE4Tl5rAsJ:&tbnh=101&tbnw=135&hl=en&start=14&pre
http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://photos1.blogger.com/img/223/900/640/Strange%2520notice.jpg&imgrefurl=http://huttonian.blogspot.com/2004_08_01_huttonian_archive.html&h=480&w=640&sz=64&tbnid=R4IE4Tl5rAsJ:&tbnh=101&tbnw=135&hl=en&start=14&pre
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Hustings Heat hits Home (pronounced Hume-except in Coldstream)
No doubt spurred on by this blog the Berwickshire is whipping up election fever via its banner headline: Four Way Fight for seat in Holyrood. Apparently election fever is 'starting to build' 'especially for the Scottish Parliament' But only the Tories have it as a top ten seats target. Indeed if the seat was won on the amount of Rain Forest destroyed to produce electioneering material Mr John Lamont, the bright young Tory thing, would be home and dry. Not that he has much competition as so far we have seen nothing of SNP, Lib Dem or Labour phamphlets so Global Warming is still kept at bay in Berwickshire at least.
The Borders Council elections still merit little coverage but as nominations closed only yesterday there is still time for some husting activity before 3 May.
One outgoing MSP, the Laird, described as 'Paxton based' gets some valedictory coverage of the typical Berwickshire uncritical variety. One of his Home forebears* says the B opposed the 1707 Act of Union and it was Johnnie himself who as a young delegate to the Labour Party Conference in 1976 moved the resolution which committed the Labour Party to devolution. And when he had to chose between being a tiny fish in Westminster (as MP for East Lothian) or a wriggly larger one in Holyrood 'John opted for the Scottish Parliament' We now await news of Lord Paxton, about which there has been a massive silence for some months. JHR also features on page 4 about the 'World's oldest fishing (Trout) club' opening a museum in Paxton House. The Laird as chairman of the Paxton House Trust explained how his family hand 'handed over the magnificent house and its contents to share with visitors and with the local people'
And now with the good fisher folk of Ellem
Did he explain why? And how really generous was this gesture' There are a number of theories about this not all flattering to the donor but nuff said. In the meanwhile Hutton Think Tank have been asked to commission a locally based children's fairy story. The working title is ;
*'Johnny and the Forebears'
Non libelous suggestions for the plot will be welcomed by the HTT writer in residence. In a brown envelope please
No doubt spurred on by this blog the Berwickshire is whipping up election fever via its banner headline: Four Way Fight for seat in Holyrood. Apparently election fever is 'starting to build' 'especially for the Scottish Parliament' But only the Tories have it as a top ten seats target. Indeed if the seat was won on the amount of Rain Forest destroyed to produce electioneering material Mr John Lamont, the bright young Tory thing, would be home and dry. Not that he has much competition as so far we have seen nothing of SNP, Lib Dem or Labour phamphlets so Global Warming is still kept at bay in Berwickshire at least.
The Borders Council elections still merit little coverage but as nominations closed only yesterday there is still time for some husting activity before 3 May.
One outgoing MSP, the Laird, described as 'Paxton based' gets some valedictory coverage of the typical Berwickshire uncritical variety. One of his Home forebears* says the B opposed the 1707 Act of Union and it was Johnnie himself who as a young delegate to the Labour Party Conference in 1976 moved the resolution which committed the Labour Party to devolution. And when he had to chose between being a tiny fish in Westminster (as MP for East Lothian) or a wriggly larger one in Holyrood 'John opted for the Scottish Parliament' We now await news of Lord Paxton, about which there has been a massive silence for some months. JHR also features on page 4 about the 'World's oldest fishing (Trout) club' opening a museum in Paxton House. The Laird as chairman of the Paxton House Trust explained how his family hand 'handed over the magnificent house and its contents to share with visitors and with the local people'
And now with the good fisher folk of Ellem
Did he explain why? And how really generous was this gesture' There are a number of theories about this not all flattering to the donor but nuff said. In the meanwhile Hutton Think Tank have been asked to commission a locally based children's fairy story. The working title is ;
*'Johnny and the Forebears'
Non libelous suggestions for the plot will be welcomed by the HTT writer in residence. In a brown envelope please
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Discounted Commuter
I don't know how many commuting/Transport blogs there are purely about getting to work in London-see http://20six.co.uk/disgruntled for example and follow the links and read the comments. This would be a most unrewarding topic in Berwickshire where you drive to work. Or in a few instances you could take a bus but you would have to drive back. 5 buses on school days go from Hutton to Ber Wick-2 go in the opposite direction and peter out in western Berwickshire with an additional one which goes to the Borders General Hospital and returns almost immediately along the same tortous meandering route with ample time to have two coronaries on the way and only just enough time at the hospital to have a quick slash and to just miss visiting hours completely The two surviving passengers can then have their coronaries on the way back.They at least get value for money for their return tickets.The good thing about the BGH bus is that it will deposit you at the front door. If you drive the main car park is invariably full of cars belonging to staff and dead patients (Its f
ree, so that is ok)The overflow place where there is usually room on the flower beds is about 30 minutes walk from the building and only feasible if you are very very fit and have no business for being there in the first place.
The Hutton/Paxton/Berwick/Hutton Paxton/Berwick(ad nauseam or 4pm which ever is earlier) bus,no 32, will go to and from these termini via Paxton House to allow visits by tourists not wishing to use their own cars. I don't think I have ever seen it used by such a rara avis as a tourist going only to Paxton House.. Perhaps because of the time-tabling which ensures that the time between buses alowing you to explore PH is either 14 minutes or three and a half hours. Particularly irksome in the November to March period when the house is closed and the buses carry on regardless until the winter timetable comes into force in early February.
One of the best days in the High Season to visit PH is Sunday.The Bus Company being well aware of a genuine (and rare) marketing oppurtunity rises to the challenge. More buses on Sunday? Well actually:
None
Not that the Bus companies mind too much being generously subsidised by the good folk of Northumberland and Berwickshire to maintain a public service (on weekdays) at inconvenient times, on unpopular routes and used by almost no one.The drivers must be bored out of their minds by their own company and by the notice which forbids Mrs Busworthy on Thursdays and every third Monday to distract the poor man by talking to him And because she is of an uncertain age she has a bus pass and does not even have to ask him for a ticket.(Which potential distraction is permitted as you will see if you scrutinise the small print very carefully)
On second thoughts-coronaries and hasty slashes deserve some literary treatment:Bad Hearts and Coroners perhaps?
I don't know how many commuting/Transport blogs there are purely about getting to work in London-see http://20six.co.uk/disgruntled for example and follow the links and read the comments. This would be a most unrewarding topic in Berwickshire where you drive to work. Or in a few instances you could take a bus but you would have to drive back. 5 buses on school days go from Hutton to Ber Wick-2 go in the opposite direction and peter out in western Berwickshire with an additional one which goes to the Borders General Hospital and returns almost immediately along the same tortous meandering route with ample time to have two coronaries on the way and only just enough time at the hospital to have a quick slash and to just miss visiting hours completely The two surviving passengers can then have their coronaries on the way back.They at least get value for money for their return tickets.The good thing about the BGH bus is that it will deposit you at the front door. If you drive the main car park is invariably full of cars belonging to staff and dead patients (Its f
ree, so that is ok)The overflow place where there is usually room on the flower beds is about 30 minutes walk from the building and only feasible if you are very very fit and have no business for being there in the first place.
The Hutton/Paxton/Berwick/Hutton Paxton/Berwick(ad nauseam or 4pm which ever is earlier) bus,no 32, will go to and from these termini via Paxton House to allow visits by tourists not wishing to use their own cars. I don't think I have ever seen it used by such a rara avis as a tourist going only to Paxton House.. Perhaps because of the time-tabling which ensures that the time between buses alowing you to explore PH is either 14 minutes or three and a half hours. Particularly irksome in the November to March period when the house is closed and the buses carry on regardless until the winter timetable comes into force in early February.
One of the best days in the High Season to visit PH is Sunday.The Bus Company being well aware of a genuine (and rare) marketing oppurtunity rises to the challenge. More buses on Sunday? Well actually:
None
Not that the Bus companies mind too much being generously subsidised by the good folk of Northumberland and Berwickshire to maintain a public service (on weekdays) at inconvenient times, on unpopular routes and used by almost no one.The drivers must be bored out of their minds by their own company and by the notice which forbids Mrs Busworthy on Thursdays and every third Monday to distract the poor man by talking to him And because she is of an uncertain age she has a bus pass and does not even have to ask him for a ticket.(Which potential distraction is permitted as you will see if you scrutinise the small print very carefully)
On second thoughts-coronaries and hasty slashes deserve some literary treatment:Bad Hearts and Coroners perhaps?
Sunday, June 15, 2008
A House, not called Manse, please
The area is swarming with Old Manse's, three of which are still on sale in Berwickshire-as far as I know, ours, in Hutton, is the only one actually sold; or technically 'under offer'. With the departure of an incumbent minister, there is a another ministerial pad on the market, also in Hutton. This is the Manse. Strictly speaking 'The Former Manse' So we have the Former Manse, down town, a snip at about £370,000, but yet to be snipped up, and the Old Manse, behind the Kirk, where Manses normally are. In Paxton, two miles away, is another Old Manse, once the residence of the Wee Free Minister. If you put Old Manse in the Royal Mail post code finder, TD15, out will come Paxton. Ours, having been called Antrim House for many years since it was demansified does not yet register. Bloggees will recall our battle to reclaim the Old Manse name (by which it has been long known in the village) and we only could do so when the Church of Scotland surrendered its Feu with the abolishment of the Feu (Feudal) system in this country three years ago. The post man knows this but Royal Mail has yet to update its data base.
If we ever get a full time incumbent Minister he or she will have to be housed. The Old Manse is gone, the Former Manse will surely have been sold, so any new residence will presumably be the Manse. Ah joy unconfined: A surge of Manses: the Manse, the Former Manse, the Old Manse (aka Antrim House) And if the new owners change the name of this house, well then, what fun that will be.
'Can I help you?
'I am looking for the Manse?
'Do you mean, The Old Manse, formerly known as Antrim House, now called ' Formerly-in-Allanton Lodge' or the Former Manse, which used to be the Manse after Antrim House was no longer the Manse?. Or do you mean the new Manse, which used to be called 12 Knowe's Close?
'Is this Paxton?
'No its Hutton. Ah you probably You want the Old Manse in Paxton-unless its the Old Schoolhouse -and right here in Hutton we have an old Smiddy and a former pub, and an Old School...'
Exit White Van Man screaming.
The area is swarming with Old Manse's, three of which are still on sale in Berwickshire-as far as I know, ours, in Hutton, is the only one actually sold; or technically 'under offer'. With the departure of an incumbent minister, there is a another ministerial pad on the market, also in Hutton. This is the Manse. Strictly speaking 'The Former Manse' So we have the Former Manse, down town, a snip at about £370,000, but yet to be snipped up, and the Old Manse, behind the Kirk, where Manses normally are. In Paxton, two miles away, is another Old Manse, once the residence of the Wee Free Minister. If you put Old Manse in the Royal Mail post code finder, TD15, out will come Paxton. Ours, having been called Antrim House for many years since it was demansified does not yet register. Bloggees will recall our battle to reclaim the Old Manse name (by which it has been long known in the village) and we only could do so when the Church of Scotland surrendered its Feu with the abolishment of the Feu (Feudal) system in this country three years ago. The post man knows this but Royal Mail has yet to update its data base.
If we ever get a full time incumbent Minister he or she will have to be housed. The Old Manse is gone, the Former Manse will surely have been sold, so any new residence will presumably be the Manse. Ah joy unconfined: A surge of Manses: the Manse, the Former Manse, the Old Manse (aka Antrim House) And if the new owners change the name of this house, well then, what fun that will be.
'Can I help you?
'I am looking for the Manse?
'Do you mean, The Old Manse, formerly known as Antrim House, now called ' Formerly-in-Allanton Lodge' or the Former Manse, which used to be the Manse after Antrim House was no longer the Manse?. Or do you mean the new Manse, which used to be called 12 Knowe's Close?
'Is this Paxton?
'No its Hutton. Ah you probably You want the Old Manse in Paxton-unless its the Old Schoolhouse -and right here in Hutton we have an old Smiddy and a former pub, and an Old School...'
Exit White Van Man screaming.
Labels: Antrim House, Former Manse, Hutton, Old Manse
Monday, March 31, 2008
Planning. Trouble at t'mill
Its good to know that our very transparent planning system sometimes seems to work: Cognoscenti should once again visit:
http://eplanning.scotborders.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_searchresults.aspx
and look at the 2nd application under the Hutton and Paxton Community Council bailiwick: House at Hutton Castle Mill. Bloggees with average memories will recall how popular response has led to an unpopular planning application for four new houses, just down the road, being withdrawn. People power in the form of an angry (but reasoned) comments recorded on this website helped to ensure that with the developer having second thoughts.Does not often happen but good sense prevailed.
In the HCM case the 'associated documents' are worth a read. In support of an application to build a house for a gamekeeper on site to look after the pheasantery, Guinea fowlness, salmon and trout fishing, self catering converted mill on behalf of the main agent for a syndicate who lives in Paxton-excellent idea. But wait- this document is dated November 2004! And we can recall that there actually is a house, recently built and lo and behold the occupant is no other than the gamekeeper who has been in occupation of a very pleasant dwelling for a couple of years. All the other papers, including the formal
application relate to a new house-bungalow- for, yes, a gamekeeper (indeed the same self guy), with exactly the same justification as the original application three and a half years ago. Urgency is stressed as the agent in Paxton really needs some one on the spot to look after his interests in the depths of the Whiteadder valley.
One can only speculate. And one does.
The Planning department at mediumheidyins level, at least, don't seem too impressed and having pointed out that there is one house there already -not a bungalow as it happens- (a fact omitted from the application and its supporting docs) reminds the applicant that permission was given for that house on the understanding that it was for just one building and for the purposes (tied to a gamekeeper) stated in the 2004 application, wonders,politely, what in earth is going on, and suggests equally politely that it might be best if the application be withdrawn.
It might indeed.
Strike one for the Planners.
For once.
In the meanwhile the Guinea Fowl at the mill peck on happily, seemingly not caring if they are to have a two house gamekeeper, or not.
Labels: Borders, Hutton Castle Mill, Planning
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
PUBLIC ART-PAXTON STYLE
It may not match up to the new St Pancras but the modest little Merse has the odd dollop of public art in the most unexpected places. Odder than most to Huttonian's uncultivated eye is the redbrick structure below Paxton House on the wheelchairs- are- definitely -not- recommended path down to the Tweed from the Croquet paddock. Its been there ever since we moved to the Borders and once had a descriptive panel which now wishes to remain anonymous; not vandalised just weather beaten.It may be that the current custodian of the Paxton House art collection is more interested in the welfare of the exhibits within the house than in anything away from the main building. I hope someone, somewhere, has kept a record of the title of this exhibit otherwise it may go the same way as Churchill's Secret Bunker.
In the absence of a title for the moment Hutton Think Tank have launched a nation-well Merse- wide competition for one: Le Grand Pissoir is one entry from a Borderer exiled to France and on the same theme:
'Gentlemen: Standing Room Only' from 'Arty of Ayton'
You can surely do better than that. All entries with a sae for the certified results to the HT2 dead letter box, at the usual place.Allow for seasonal delays as the deadletter postman is on a skiing holiday in Kurdistan
Labels: Paxton House, Public Art
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Paxton House (Illinois)
A bloggee fascinated by recent posts asked for an image ofPaxton House, the former seat of the Laird. (Seat as in home not parliamentary seat as in East Lothian) I had to resort to Flickr but clicked on the wrong image. There appear to be at least two Paxton Houses in the US and someone of that name. So apologies. Its anyhow an unusual building and worth a picture in its own right. We don't know if it is the home of the congressman from Illinois. If so he presumably has to rent an apartment in Washington. And may be lucky enough to have a family member there from whom he can rent.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Grin and Bear it. Once more with Feeling
Huttonian vowed not to blog(again) about Voytek the Drinking, Smoking, Fighting, ASBO-worthy Polish Bear but a letter in the Berwickshire strikes a chord:
SIR, - May I disagree with the places to put the statues of Voytek the Bear.
There was no Polish connections with Paxton House. They employed Italian prisoner of war labour.
Visitors have to pay to go to Paxton House and it is closed from October to Easter. As Duns has a Polish war memorial and Duns is twinned with Zagen in Poland more people would be visiting Duns.
Voytek ended his days at the zoo in Edinburgh. Many children saw him then and would remember him today. The statue would be more at home there than at the Parliament. How many politicians remember him?
Hutton (not Paxton) was the centre for the Polish soldiers. Two of them found wives and lived there.
ONE WHO REMEMBERS,
Name and address withheld on request
Someone should show this letter to Mrs O
So no statue in Paxton then?
Nor in the Eildon Hills either, as yet-see image taken from Harden's Hill looking south west. Click on it to see Trimontium- one more possible site for a statue to Voytek as suggested by nobody. Frankly I could not be bothered to put up another picture of the disagreable and dead animal
Friday, July 08, 2005
On a happier note: The Berwickshire carries this story which will be interest to all except tone deaf bloggees.
Youth to the fore at Paxton musical festival
YOUNG musicians play a significant part in the 16 events taking place at Paxton House during the forthcoming Summer Music festival, opening on Thursday, July 14.
One such group is the Bronte String Quartet who are making a return visit following their sell-out performances at last year's festival. Since winning several prizes in 2003, the group's busy schedule has included appearances at the Cheltenham, Edinburgh, Chelsea and Brighton festivals.The Bronte will be in residence on the first weekend of the Paxton festival, July 15 to 17, for three evening concerts of quartets and quintets, including the Schumann piano quintet and the less well-known Dvor‡k string sextet.On that Saturday evening, the 16th, the Bronte will share the platform with the young Scottish soprano, Catriona Holt, as soloist in Berg's ravishingly beautiful '7 Early Songs' and several by the master of song, Hugo Wolf. Catriona, a graduate of the Royal College of Music and the RSAMD, made her Edinburgh Festival debut last year in Weber's 'Der Freischutz', and will be touring England, France and Switzerland later this year as Papagena in Mozart's 'The Magic Flute'.Summer Music's annual Young Musicians Platform takes place on Tuesday evening, July 19. The concert has a distinctly international flavour, beginning in Spain with music by AlbŽniz transcribed for guitar, jetting off to Brazil for a piece by Radames Gnatalli for the unusual combination of cello and guitar, then returning to Europe for piano music by Debussy and Rachmaninov to be performed by Romanian, Ancute Nite. The evening ends in Russia with the deeply moving Eighth String Quartet of Shostakovich, written in memory of victims of Fascism and war.Stunning young violinist Jack Liebeck makes his first appearance for Summer Music on the festival's second weekend, July 22-24, in trios by Mozart and Schumann, four short pieces by Webern, and the festival's vibrant concluding string sextet, 'Souvenir de Florence' by Tchaikovsky. Jack's first public appearance was for BBC TV, aged 10, when he played the role of the young Mozart. From the age of 11 he has performed in concertos and recitals throughout the world, and he also appears as soloist on a Warner Classics CD of Oscar Wilde 'Fairy Tales' narrated by Stephen Fry and Vanessa Redgrave. On Monday July 18, masterclasses for piano and strings, led by three of the festival's distinguished performers and teachers, will include young players, as well as those of more mature years. These run from 10am to 4pm, and are free both for participants and audiences.Tickets and information from Paxton House (01289) 386291, www.fenyo-musicmakers.co.uk
07 July 2005
Huttonian will as usual be offering accomodation to some of the musicians -the Bronte Quartet for the first weekend-the 'in residence 'refers to the Old Manse- and an Austrian trio plus Jack Liebeck for the second. There are still seats available for some concerts but it is all filling up very fast. Hurry
Youth to the fore at Paxton musical festival
YOUNG musicians play a significant part in the 16 events taking place at Paxton House during the forthcoming Summer Music festival, opening on Thursday, July 14.
One such group is the Bronte String Quartet who are making a return visit following their sell-out performances at last year's festival. Since winning several prizes in 2003, the group's busy schedule has included appearances at the Cheltenham, Edinburgh, Chelsea and Brighton festivals.The Bronte will be in residence on the first weekend of the Paxton festival, July 15 to 17, for three evening concerts of quartets and quintets, including the Schumann piano quintet and the less well-known Dvor‡k string sextet.On that Saturday evening, the 16th, the Bronte will share the platform with the young Scottish soprano, Catriona Holt, as soloist in Berg's ravishingly beautiful '7 Early Songs' and several by the master of song, Hugo Wolf. Catriona, a graduate of the Royal College of Music and the RSAMD, made her Edinburgh Festival debut last year in Weber's 'Der Freischutz', and will be touring England, France and Switzerland later this year as Papagena in Mozart's 'The Magic Flute'.Summer Music's annual Young Musicians Platform takes place on Tuesday evening, July 19. The concert has a distinctly international flavour, beginning in Spain with music by AlbŽniz transcribed for guitar, jetting off to Brazil for a piece by Radames Gnatalli for the unusual combination of cello and guitar, then returning to Europe for piano music by Debussy and Rachmaninov to be performed by Romanian, Ancute Nite. The evening ends in Russia with the deeply moving Eighth String Quartet of Shostakovich, written in memory of victims of Fascism and war.Stunning young violinist Jack Liebeck makes his first appearance for Summer Music on the festival's second weekend, July 22-24, in trios by Mozart and Schumann, four short pieces by Webern, and the festival's vibrant concluding string sextet, 'Souvenir de Florence' by Tchaikovsky. Jack's first public appearance was for BBC TV, aged 10, when he played the role of the young Mozart. From the age of 11 he has performed in concertos and recitals throughout the world, and he also appears as soloist on a Warner Classics CD of Oscar Wilde 'Fairy Tales' narrated by Stephen Fry and Vanessa Redgrave. On Monday July 18, masterclasses for piano and strings, led by three of the festival's distinguished performers and teachers, will include young players, as well as those of more mature years. These run from 10am to 4pm, and are free both for participants and audiences.Tickets and information from Paxton House (01289) 386291, www.fenyo-musicmakers.co.uk
07 July 2005
Huttonian will as usual be offering accomodation to some of the musicians -the Bronte Quartet for the first weekend-the 'in residence 'refers to the Old Manse- and an Austrian trio plus Jack Liebeck for the second. There are still seats available for some concerts but it is all filling up very fast. Hurry
