[djma] DJMA Newsletter #13

Summer is upon us, says the calendar, and occasionally we believe it. I am off to my holidays soon and I notice with regret that I will miss some very special John Muir events because of it.

Message from the President

I am delighted to say that in the last six months or so awareness of John Muir in his homeland has taken off.

The decision in 1998 to have an exhibition in Edinburgh on the life and times of John Muir has certainly been worthwhile. The efforts by all concerned - Dunbar's John Muir Association, John Muir Trust, John Muir Birthplace Trust, Council officials here and in Edinburgh - is definitely working.

An Infinite Storm of Beauty is the exhibition title that was launched on John Muir's Birthday - 21st April - by Deputy Provost Margaret McGregor. Margaret spoke of Muir's achievements in the USA and Canada. She also referred to Muir's love of Robert Burns, quoting A Man's a Man and to hear this sung too at the opening of the new Scottish Parliament is reinforcing the link between John Muir and Robert Burns. Margaret also mentioned that the Scottish Parliament was to designate Loch Lomond or the Cairngorms as the first National Park in Scotland and she hoped that the John Muir Exhibition would help to inform the debate about this issue.

Several DJMA members and representatives from West Barns and Roseburn primary schools received an invitation from the Provost of Edinburgh to attend a reception to welcome children, parents and teachers from Yosemite Valley Elementary School in California. The Roseburn children sang The Dark Island and Mhairi's Wedding which was very much appreciated. Beverly Wilson, standing in for Provost Milligan, said it was wonderful that the spirit of John Muir was spreading from California to Edinburgh and she hoped they would continue to enjoy their visit to Edinburgh, the Royal Mile, etc., and to the beaches of East Lothian in John Muir Country Park.

Although the purchase of John Muir's Birthplace is complete, further funds still need to be secured to develop the house and fund-raising efforts continue.

In their wisdom East Lothian Council have decided to call the new Council Buildings in Haddington John Muir House. This might be a little misleading but it does show the commitment of the Council to John Muir and I welcome this decision. We have in turn now designated, and signed, John Muir House as John Muir Birthplace.

Invitations have been received to attend the official opening of the Exhibition at the City Art Centre in Edinburgh on Friday, 30th July and to a special showing organised by the John Muir Trust for the evening of 4th August. I encourage all DJMA members and supporters of John Muir to visit the Exhibition.

DJMA Council and John Muir Birthplace Trustees are helping to co-ordinate the transfer of (part of) the Exhibition to Dunbar once it closes in Edinburgh in early October. Current plans are for the Dunbar version of the exhibition to open on 21 April 2000 and due to space, security and access considerations the exhibits will be set up in several locations. The Birthplace House and Dunbar Parish Church Narthex have been assessed for their suitability and we are hopeful that these proposals are successful.

My wife, Mary, and I had the pleasure of spending an evening with Fred Last and his wife Pauline to meet Muir's grandson Ross Hanna and his wife Gladys. Fellow JMB Trustee Nigel Hawkins and myself invited Ross to become the 'family' Patron of the John Muir Birthplace Trust. Professor Aubrey Manning has also accepted the invitation to be another Patron of JMBT. JMBT efforts to get a response from Sean Connery to accept the invitation to become the third Patron has so far been unsuccessful.

I was delighted to hear that DJMA Convener, Duncan Smeed, had heard from Jimmie MacGregor that he had accepted our invitation to become a DJMA Patron.

On these high notes, let me wish everyone a good summer and I look forward to reporting further progress in the name of John Muir.

Dates for your diary

Professor T F Last

In the summer of 1994, a Radio Scotland interview with Fred Last about his 'climate change' garden brought him to the notice of the steering group preparing to launch Dunbar's John Muir Association, and he was invited to stand for election as its founder President. The emphasis on the importance of biodiversity and sustainability in the Association's draft Constitution found favour with him, and his interest in Muir's writings turned out to pre-date that of any of his new colleagues.

Under Fred's leadership, the Association developed its ideas for a John Muir Centre in Dunbar into an application to the Millennium Commission, a project which eventually won the support of East Lothian Council and of LEEL and was placed on the Reserve list of Millennium projects. Fred's clarity of thought; his experience; and his wide range of contacts were invaluable during this process, and he was always ready and willing to devote time and effort to the problems which inevitably arose. His emphasis on the importance of building partnerships within the local community, and his generosity in entertaining John Muir aficionados from afar, helped to establish the Association as a respected organisation.

Although the Centre did not, in the end, achieve Millennium funding, Fred's retirement at the end of his three-year appointment left his successors with a very clear view of the way forward. The more modest objective of acquiring the John Muir Birthplace, and transforming it into a permanent focus for Muir's life and work, is one, which Fred had in mind from the start. It is now being pursued in collaboration with Dunbar Community Council, East Lothian Council and the John Muir Trust.

Fred's insistence on accuracy, objectivity and co-operation underpinning idealism has set the tone of the Association, which will continue to pursue the long-term goal of a major environment centre honouring John Muir's name in the town where he was born.

In the Queen's Birthday Honours List for 1999, Fred Last was awarded an OBE for services to environmental science. It marks his retirement after three years on the Board of Scottish National Heritage. He also was Director of the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology for many years -- among other activities too numerous to mention.

From the Convener

Dunbar's John Muir Association was formally constituted on on 27th July 1994 as a charitable organisation founded by local people with the active support of the John Muir Trust. DJMA has the twin aims:

As this is the fifth anniversary issue of the DJMA Newsletter, there is plenty to report on. One common theme that runs through many of the newsletter items is that DJMA, and others, are undoubtedly telling the world about Muir's life, work and beliefs. Indeed, much of the Association's efforts over the past year or so have been focussed on this theme and which have culminated in the purchase, by John Muir Birthplace Trust, of John Muir's birthplace at 126-128 High Street [full details in the last newsletter].

With the kind permission of the John Muir Birthplace Trust, DJMA now have a permanent presence on the High Street, on the ground floor of No. 126-128 - formerly Stefany Hawryluk's photography shop. Our aim is to promote and co-ordinate DJMA efforts in helping to raise further funds for the development of John Muir House and to further the aims of the Association. More on this later.

Jimmie MacGregor - Our New Patron

Since the sad and untimely death just under a year ago of our patron Dr. Morton Boyd [report and eulogy in Newsletter No. 10 ], DJMA has been without a Patron. In a recent DJMA Council meeting it was agreed that the Association should seek new Patrons. I am now delighted to report that Jimmie MacGregor, writer and broadcaster, has most kindly agreed to be the first of our new Patrons. Jimmie MacGregor is a well-kent face, and voice, in Scotland and beyond and many Muir enthusiasts will recall his six-part radio series - The Range of Light - where he retraced the footsteps of Muir in the Sierra Nevada.

Exhibition - An Infinite Storm of Beauty

Another big item of news is the opening of a major new exhibition about John Muir - An Infinite Storm of Beauty. The Life and Achievements of John Muir, a Scottish voice for the Millennium - which will run from July 31 to October 2 at the City Art Centre in Edinburgh. Again, more on this later.

One of the many people that are making the trip over from America especially for the opening of An Infinite Storm of Beauty is the American actor Lee Stetson. For the first time ever in the UK, Lee Stetson will also be performing his one-man show - The Spirit of John Muir. Two performances will be held in Dunbar - on the 6th and 7th August in the Corn Exchange. Further details later.

Another date for your diary is the Launch of the East Lothian Festival of Science and Nature, 4 August, John Muir Country Park, 12noon to 4pm. The Festival runs from 4 August 1999 to 31 July 2000 and is East Lothian Council's primary contribution to the nationwide Millennium Festival. East Lothian Council has honoured John Muir by choosing him as their 'Man of the Millennium'. The Launch Day will feature a walk through John Muir Park, with John Muir (Lee Stetson). DJMA and the JMT will be among the organisations taking part.

Needless to say, I am very grateful to all the contributors to this Newsletter and to Ute Penny for the editing and production. I hope you enjoy reading the news and I look forward to meeting members and friends of DJMA at some of the forthcoming events.

Advance notice: the 5th DJMA Annual General Meeting will be on Wednesday, 29th September.

Further details of the AGM will be sent out with the next Newsletter / Notice of AGM.

An Infinite Storm of Beauty:

The Life and Achievements of John Muir, a Scottish voice for the Millennium.
31 July - 2 October, City Art Centre, Edinburgh.

This major exhibition celebrates the life and achievements of John Muir, marking the 150th anniversary of his emigration to the United States. It re-evaluates his life and work in the context of his Scottish origins, and reclaims Muir as an educational and cultural icon for the country of his birth. At the same time, it celebrates Muir's historic achievements and his standing in his adopted country of the United States.

The first international exhibition held in Scotland on Muir, tracks his odyssey from his Dunbar origins, to his life in America where he won fame as a climber, geologist and nature-writer. But above all, Americans regard Muir as their country's foremost naturalist and conservationist: the first person to place the preservation of the wilderness and wildlife on the national agenda. On his death in 1914, Muir was elevated to the nation's pantheon, alongside Emerson, Thoreau and Audubon, as the Father of the American National Parks.

The exhibition reflects Muir's vision of a Creation - An Infinite Storm of Beauty - in which every atom, crystal, rock, mountain, river, plant, animal and human being is an intricate thread of an unbroken ecological tapestry. The central theme is that John Muir is Scotland's greatest contribution to global environmental awareness, and that his prophetic writings and practical achievements are an environmental beacon for the dawn of the third millennium.

The exhibition occurs at a crucial time in Scotland's history. As we approach a new millennium, debates on sustainability, pollution, species extinction and climate change take on a new intensity. Meanwhile the Scottish Parliament will consider proposals to designate Loch Lomond and Cairngorm as Scotland's first-ever naitonal parks. It is highly appropriate that the vision of John Muir should be brought home to inform the debate.

Exhibition Themes and Contents

The exhibition is designed to deal with the following themes, and to answer the following range of questions:

The exhibition will feature photographs, paintings, manuscripts and artefacts from Dunbar, Wisconsin and California. Most of the American material will be on display for the first time ever in the United Kingdom. It will include historic photographs and portraits of Muir and contemporaries, drawn from the John Muir Archives at the University of the Pacific; drawings and replicas of Muir's inventions from the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences; oil paintings of the High Sierra from the William Keith collection at the Hearst Gallery, Moraga, California. Also classic landscape photographs by Ansel Adams, Galen Rowell and other artists, and artefacts for the John Muir Heritage Site, in Martinez.

One of the first debates facing the new Scottish Parliament will be the proposal to create the first Scottish National Parks at Cairngorm and Loch Lomond. Will the vision of Muir, the Scots-born Father of the American National Parks, inform that policy decision?

The relevance of John Muir to the current environmental debate, in Scotland and globally, is another of the themes explore in An Infinite Storm of Beauty. The exhibition will include the commemorative medals and stamps struck and issued to honour John Muir.

The Spirit of John Muir

East Lothian Council Arts Service presents The Spirit of John Muir. Performed by Lee Stetson.

For the first time ever, performer Lee Stetson will be visiting the UK with his show about the life of John Muir. John Muir was born in Dunbar and left Scotland to become one of the world's heroes, credited for changing the way the world thinks about nature.

He was a fascinating personality, whose life was a series of wonderful adventures including crossing glaciers in Alaska, escaping avalanches and encountering the animal kingdom first hand - (grizzly bears, rattlesnakes). In The Spirit of John Muir, some of his wonderful stories are brought to life with the vivid story-telling of Lee Stetson. One minute you'll be riding with Muir on a snow avalanche for 3,000 feet, the next climbing an ice-cone, then rocking during a stupendous earthquake. He tells of the perilous time Muir spent on a glacier in Alaska and his meeting with Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Watching the one-man performance of Lee Stetson portraying John Muir is a riveting experience. But it is much more than seeing a talented actor rendering a skilful impersonation of America's pre-eminent naturalist and conservationist. A few minutes into the show, you begin to sense that Stetson is Muir. By some kind of magic, for the next hour and a half you are in the presence of the visionary Scotsman himself.

These exciting and witty stories are a great way to learn more about this truly remarkable man and his insights into the world of nature.

The Spirit of John Muir will be performed at The Brunton Theatre Musselburgh on 4, 5 August, Tel. 0131 665 2240 and Dunbar Corn Exchange on 6, 7 August, Tel. 01368 863353, tickets available from Dunbar Tourist Information Centre. All performances start at 7.30pm, with tickets priced at £5 (£3).

DJMA to Host Pre-theatre Reception for The Spirit of John Muir

To mark the occasion of the first ever showing of the 'The Spirit of John Muir' in Dunbar, the Association is hosting a reception for the performer Lee Stetson and invitees of the East Lothian Council Arts Service. DJMA Council take this opportunity to also invite all DJMA members to attend the reception. 6th August, 6.30pm at the DJMA 'office' on the ground floor of the John Muir House, 126 High Street, Dunbar. A good turn-out is to be encouraged and we look forward to seeing you there.

There will be a formal presentation of the California State Tartan banner/flag at the reception to mark the 5th anniversary of DJMA. It is hoped that 'John Muir' will make the presentation on behalf The St. Andrew's Society of Los Angeles. Bring your (video) camera!

Visit by Muir's Great-great-granddaughter

DJMA helped arrange Terri's and her husband Michael's accommodation and golfing plans. After they arrived in mid-May, they were shown round Dunbar and walked the cliff-top trail - having followed the John Muir's Dunbar Town Trail themselves the day before - and met members of DJMA Council at the May Council meeting. A memorable visit was rounded off with a social event at the Mason's Arms where they sampled the local beer! Terri sent the following note of thanks after they arrived safely back in the USA:

Presentation of California State Tartan banner to DJMA

The outcome of this initial contact was that Mr Standing very kindly suggested that he arrange for the last piece of the original weaving to be made into a presentation banner.

By the end of June, the banner/flag had been delivered to DJMA's address at the John Muir House and will be formally presented to DJMA at the Pre-Theatre Reception at the John Muir House on 6th August.

Two certificates form part of the presentation. The first is a copy of the certificate that authenticates the tartan as one entered in the Register of All Publicly Known Tartans. The second has a full-colour print of the California State District Tartan with the explanation:

On behalf of the Trustees and Members of the St. Andrew's Society of Los Angeles Inc. (1930), and all Californians everywhere, we are honoured to present this original California State District Tartan to Dunbar's John Muir Association.

John L. Dawson
President 1999

J. Howard Standing
Past President 1997-98

Dunbar Revisited

One hundred and fifty years ago John Muir left Dunbar for North America: this year his grandson and wife, Ross and Gladys Hanna, spent some time in Scotland as part of a tour of the British Isles. While members of their party were trying to emulate Paul Lawrie at St. Andrews, instead of Carnoustie, Ross and Gladys agreed to join a small party in their honour at "Furruly" [the Lasts home, Ed.] on 13 May.

It was great fun and a real pleasure to greet them, also friends in many organisations wedded to JM and his ideals - Winifred and Dick Sillitto and Dan and Mary Cairney (DJMA); Nigel Hawkins and Carole Ross (Trustees, JMT); Alan and Mairie Blackie (Director, Education and Community Services, East Lothian Council) and Colin and Anne Pritchard (Director, Centre for the Study of Environmental Change and Sustainability, Edinburgh University).

After supper each of us, in our own way, gave Ross and Gladys an update. Nigel started with the trip that he made with fellow trustees, including Carole, to the Sierras before turning to the future of JMT; Alan spoke of his pleasure in re-establishing the links between Yosemite High School and school pupils in East Lothian; Colin referred to the honour recently bestowed on his department, when its premises were named after John Muir. Winifred and Dan spoke of DJMA and the part it is playing in the acquisition of 126-128 High Street, Dunbar, while I, as a former member of Scottish Natural Heritage, spoke of the negotiations for Scotland's first National Park and my hope that its name will overtly acknowledge JM's lead and prophetic role so many years ago.

The occasion was intended to be informal and this is how it turned out. Pauline and I hope that the event will be repeated before another 150 years go by!!!

Our Visitors from Yosemite Valley School

At the beginning of May 12 pupils from Yosemite Valley School, accompanied by 2 teachers and 6 parents arrived in Scotland as part of their endeavours in completing the first part of the John Muir Award.

Yosemite School is a rural school and like its counterparts in Scotland is small, having only some 60 pupils. The children were in the 8th grade, which is the last year of primary education, and were 12/13 years old. The day after their arrival on 4th May a civic reception, arranged for them by Graham White, was held in Edinburgh City Chambers, with a welcome by a senior councillor and the American Consul. Later that day Graham White took them on a tour of Edinburgh.

On Thursday 6th May they came to Dunbar. A visit to John Muir's Birthplace was followed by a walk along the town trail to discover John Muir's Dunbar. In the afternoon they went to Dunbar Leisure Pool for a swim, followed by a trip to Bass Rock in the Dunbar Life Boat and a second boat. A thick haar had settled down and we did not see the Bass until we were very close. The sea was quite rough and the children and some of the adults (including one crew member) unfortunately succumbed and were sea sick - your intrepid author managed to keep his lunch down but was not a happy man. However, young constitutions soon recover and the children went off quite happily to stay the night with local families. On Friday and Saturday nights they stayed at Innerwick Outdoor Centre.

Friday morning saw everyone at Assembly at Dunbar Primary School. The visitors were presented with certificates acknowledging completion of the first part of the John Muir Award, and gifts were exchanged, including a signed letter from President Clinton, wishing the children from Yosemite Valley a happy time on their visit to John Muir's birthplace. One of the highlights of Assembly was the rendition of The Three Craws by Primary One. The rest of the day was spent at John Muir Country Park, where some conservation work was done and the Senior Ranger gave a talk on the park itself: its bird life, plants etc.

On Friday night Innerwick Village Hall saw one of the best Ceilidhs I have ever been at. Food and Drink courtesy of Tesco and Belhaven, Westwick Sound provided the music and a lot of hard work was put in by a gallant group of ladies (and Duncan Smeed). There was nearly a disaster at the beginning. With an hour to go before the meal the realisation struck: the trays containing the haggis were too big for the oven! Thanks to the ingenuity of the ladies (and the services of a microwave) dinner was served only 20 minutes late. During the Toast to the Haggis the toastmaster (yours truly) was so enthusiastic with the skean-dhu, it went right through the haggis and smashed the plate. Thereafter a great - and trouble-free - night of dance and song, including a dancing display by children from Stenton followed.

On Saturday a sightseeing trip of East Lothian concluded with the Pipe Band Contest in Dunbar. In the evening our visitors entertained us with some American songs and we enjoyed hamburgers and - not coke - but Irn Bru. East Lothian Council had kindly loaned two mini coaches for a three-day tour of Scotland. With myself and Ian and Robert McDougall sharing the driving we visited Stirling, Inverness, Plockton, Skye, Fort William, Glen Coe and Balquidder. As you may know, Ian and Robert are part of the folk group "Sewer Plooms". So each night we were entertained by the bagpipes, Scottish small pipes and other instruments. Whilst on Skye, some of the adults visited the John Muir Trust Estate at Strathaird.

We have since heard from one of the teachers, Catherine Soria, that the children gave a presentation to the local community who helped them raise the funds for the trip. They raised the Scottish Saltire on the school flagpole whilst singing "Flower of Scotland".

They have each written a journal with their vote for high spot of the trip - their stay in Dunbar.

Some Journal Entries

The DJMA 'Office': Volunteers Needed

Thanks to the John Muir Birthplace Trust, DJMA now have an 'office' on the ground floor of the John Muir House. This presence on the High Street will help to promote and co-ordinate DJMA efforts. Currently, the main volunteers staffing the office are DJMA Council members Jim Thompson and Richard Weller. Jim and Richard will, whenever possible, staff the office on Tuesday afternoons, on Saturday, and on Sunday afternoon. Other members of Council help out on these days when they can. More volunteers are urgently required especially over the holiday season so if there are any members of the Association that could help out then please contact either Jim Thompson (tel.: 01368 864329) or Duncan Smeed (01368 865257 or djma@djma.org.uk). Even one afternoon a month would be a great help.

Currently information is displayed about DJMA, the John Muir Trust and the John Muir Birthplace Trust. It complements the John Muir House Museum on the top floor of the building, which is open every day over the summer season. The office has a telephone and answering machine and office furniture has been supplied courtesy of East Lothian Council. Future plans include the installation of a computer and modem for connection to the Internet to allow the office 'staff' to use e-mail and to update the birthplace web-site.

Do you want to 'do' the John Muir Award?

The John Muir Award (JMA) invites people of all ages to explore wild places. It's non-competitive and open to all.

The JMA has four challenges. Participants are invited to Discover, Explore, Conserve and Share a wild place either as an individual or as a group.

There are three different levels of JMA which all work with the same challenges. Its the level of commitment that changes. Most people begin with the Discovery Award and work progressively through the others but special dispensation can be made for groups who want to start with the advanced award.

The JMA is extremely flexible and it's up to the participants how they go about it. Groups and individuals can get in touch with the JMA Project Worker for advice and info on how to get started.

Three Levels of Award

What do you get out of it?

The JMA also runs local 2 day residentials throughout winter & spring in and around East Lothian. Anyone who would like more information about these should contact the JMA project worker at the above address.

JMA also fulfills the service/skill/residential sections of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

JMA also organises a programme of conservation work combined with social events at various locations, each lasts between 5 and 7 days. They also have leadership courses at some of the venues. Fuller details can be obtained from the John Muir Trust.

Stories in Stone

A walk along the newly repaired cliff top trail, led by country ranger Richard English has been arranged for Saturday 14 August.

Follow the coast along the cliff edge - how was it formed? Geology made fun, for adults and children alike. The walk will last approx. 2 hours. Meet at the Leisure Pool car park at 10am.

John Muir's Dunbar

So you think you know Dunbar. Do you really know all the closes and wynds? Have you looked at the facades of a long gone era? Do you know their stories? Go and let Jim Thompson take you back in time and show you where John Muir fits into the picture.

I have lived in Dunbar for 11 years and, with a keen interest in history, wasn't totally unprepared, when I went on one of Jim's tours. There was still plenty of new information for me and the pleasurable feeling of being a tourist at home.

I can wholeheartedly recommend the tour to everybody. It is also a great idea, if you have visitors from out of town. As one of the journal entries by the Yosemite children says, "He is a very good speaker and every word he said was interesting."

Jim does a tour every Tuesday at 2.30pm, starting in front of the Town House, but you can also 'phone him to arrange a different day on 01368 864 329.

Incidentally, Jim would also love to hear from you, if you have some spare time and could do some of the tours!

Office bearers

President	Dan Cairney
Convener of Council	Duncan Smeed 01368 865257
Honorary Treasurer:	Will Collin 2 Roseberry Place, Dunbar, EH42 1AQ
Secretary	Susan Panton
Membership Secretary	Jim Thompson 01368 864329
Local Involvement Convener	Ross McPhail 01620 823156
Internet Correspondent	Duncan Smeed djma@djma.org.uk
Editor	Ute Penny 01368 864 879 2 Implement Rd, West Barns, Dunbar, EH42 1WN 100760.3610@compuserve.com

Membership Information

Dunbar's John Muir Association
is recognised by the Inland Revenue as Scottish Charity No SC022857.
Donations and membership subscriptions made under Deed of Covenant allow the Association to claim back tax.

Life	£150
Double Life	£250
Family annual	£8
Individual annual	£5
Concession annual	£2

Please make cheques (drawn on a UK bank only) payable to DJMA
American Express and Visa cards are accepted

The Association's Objects are:

To advance the education of the public concerning John Muir, as the Dunbar-born pioneer of world nature conservation, and his belief in the unique and irreplaceable value of wild places and wild creatures
To implement John Muir's philosophy practically by conserving, restoring, and enhancing landscape and wildlife in East Lothian and Scotland.

DJMA Newsletter #13

Newsletter No. 13
July 1999
5th Anniversary Edition

Contents

Editorial