JMB-150

[Iain Buik]

Dear All,
     I am re-affirming proposals for the celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Birth of JM Barrie. Over the past two years I have been working on ways to honour the man and his works that we have all admired and discussed and debated over.
     to this  end in the town that he was born Kirriemuir (Thrums) has agreed to have a year long celebrations with events of different kinds ranging from book festivals, street theatre amoungst other things.
As a member of this site and Annon Society  I want to arrange our own tribute to JMB. To this end I would like to know who would be interested in coming to Kirriemuir in May 2010 on his Birthday to pay hommage to Him.
My proposal will be on his birthday to visit his Birthplace then visit the places in his books ,followed on by a performance and recreaction of some of his speeches, in the Town Hall including "The opening of the Bazaar"(the one when he addresses the invisible canary The original Clarinet is on display at the birthplace.)"Courage" address, I am also hoping that this will be recreated at St Andrews University also. and many others I am sure that you will nominate other speeches for inclusion I will be greatful for your opinions.I do hope that guest speakers for the afternoon on JMBarrie topics I am sure Andrew will contribute towards this.
   Please remember that this will be run on a shoe string budget, and if any one out there has a spare shoestring, please let me know!!
yours from Sunny Scotland
Iain

[MariM]

150th anniversary in Kirriemuir?  I'd love to if I could afford it! My grandfather was born on Roods Road in May 1871, and I would love to see where he grew up and celebrate my favorite childhood character's author!  I wonder of there are any of the Hood family in the Kirriemuir area these days...

[MariM]

Oh, by the way....by being able to afford it, I meant that I would have to travel from  Buffalo, NY USA   

[Jude]

I'm already making plans for this! I've booked a few days off work already and am about to book my hotel. I've been researching it all week, its gonna be so special! I'm planning on arriving on may 7th and staying until about the 11th, make a long weekend of it. Might do longer if we can get more days off!

[andrew]

All being well, I'll be there. I think I've managed to persuade Ian Holm to record "Courage" (and the build up) for BBC Radio 4....

[Holly G.]

What a marvellous thing to read!!!!
I will also be there.

[andrew]

For better or worse, I've accepted an invite to give the "BARRIE BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE LECTURE on SUNDAY 9TH MAY 2010 at 7.30pm" in Kirriemuir, either at the Town Hall or the Old Parish Church.  Gawd knows what I'll babble on about, and I daresay I'll be as nervous as JMB when he delivered "Courage" - hopefully his spectre will loan me some for the occasion.  I've suggested doing a Q&A session afterwards, so if any of you feel like legging it north of the border for the occasion, I'll see you there...

[Robert Greenham]

Good for you, Andrew! 

[Robert Greenham]

The celebratory activities planned by Iain, primarily by and for Barrie followers who are members of this forum and/or that of ANON, will bring many of us together physically, AND may arouse local awareness of the Barrie websites and forums.  This is a splendid idea, and should provide a significant element of the whole gamut of mainstream activites being planned by the established Scottish organizations and bodies.  But it's over two years since we've heard from you on this, Iain.  Do, please, bring us up to date!

Andrew's Barrie lecture is, I understand, another mainstream activity, and not actually part of Iain's initiative.  Or have I got this wrong?

In the meantime, may I suggest that folks look at these Scottish websites:
http://www.kirriemuirheritagetrust.org.uk (in particular their Events Calendar)
http://www.angusahead.com/LiveAngus/LivinginAngus/KirriemuirHeritageTrust.asp
http://www.kirriemuirherald.co.uk/local-events/WEEKEND-OF-CELEBRATIONS-IN-COUNTDOWN.5232855.jp
http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1200583
 

[TheWendybird]

Oh man I wanna go to this!

[andrew]

I was invited to blab by Sandra Affleck, who lives in the Window in Thrums and seems to be organising events in Kirriemuir.  Gotta fly...!

[TheWendybird]

Gotta fly...!

*Throws fairy dust on you*

[Jude]

I'm a bit confused as to what are the best dates to go up for this. On the kirriemuir heritage site their events calendar states that the dance, ball and the Barries birthday tribute lecture are on the weekend of 7 - 9th May but the Barries Big Birthday Bash and the Home to Neverland play are on 19th - 22nd May!  Obviously i'd like to be there on the actual day of Barries birth, but i'd also like to see this Home to Neverland play! What date is everyone else going?  There no way i can stay for that long, i can only do one or the other, so what to do?! Argh!

[Robert Greenham]

I think the short answer is: be there for the whole of 8th and 9th at least. I'm arriving on the 7th, and leaving on the 11th.

[Jude]

Thanks Robert, that was my original plan so i'll stick with that.

By the way, where are people staying? i dont know whether to book a cottage for a long weekend or stay in a hotel. There seems to be quite a few hotels in the surrounding area, can anyone recommend one in particular?