[djma] DJMA Newsletter #20

Matters on the house are progressing well. Richard Murphy has agreed with the appropriate authorities as to disabled access and fire precautions and David Campbell is proceeding with his plans for the exhibition material. The actual work on the Birthplace itself will start in June and be finished in plenty of time for the official opening on 21st April next year.

We were delighted to welcome to Dunbar Mr Joe Fontaine and his wife, 'Bugs'. Joe is a Past President of the Sierra Club and although on a holiday tour of the UK, decided to come to Muir's Birthplace to see for himself, the house and the intended proposals. Joe and Bugs walked John Muir's Dunbar, visited the Parish Church and the 17th century town house and then had lunch at 134 High Street, the house in which John grew up in, later becoming the Lorne Hotel and today, a bakery and tea room.

We have launched our new book, "The Clifftop Trail", a guided walk along the path from the Victoria Harbour to the John Muir Country Park. The book explains the history and the geology of the cliffs and what one can expect to see in the way of plant and bird life - all in layman's terms, accompanied by wonderful photography. John Muir and his grandfather knew the cliff top. You can too - all for only £2.50.

John Muir - My Hero

I was idly surfing the net one evening when I came across the following piece by our good friend and fellow DJMA member, Harold Wood of California, USA. Harold has kindly given permission for it to be reproduced here.

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul alike.

Earthkeeper Hero:
John Muir

He has been called "the greatest Californian", "the father of our national parks", and "protector of the wilds". But John Muir saw himself as an ordinary citizen of the Universe, and in fact wrote his address as "John Muir, Earth-Planet, Universe".

John Muir combined a traditionally romantic and radically new vision of man's place in nature Writing in the late 19th century and early 20th, his was at once a scientific and a poetic voice for preservation of the natural environment. John Muir saw Nature as not just a storehouse of raw materials for man's economic needs, but as a spiritual resource as well. He wrote, with characteristic humour, "Our crude civilisation engenders a multitude of wants, and lawgivers are ever at their wit's end devising. The hall and theatre and the church have been invented, and compulsory education. Why not add compulsory recreation."

But Muir wasn't talking here of mere escapism, for the recreation he advocated was in fact reality discovering what makes life most worthwhile for many people -- the wondrous beauty of the forests, the mountains, the wild places. "Keep close to Nature's heart...and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean..." Muir lived these principles himself in his adventurous life - whether climbing the Sierra peaks, traversing Alaskan glaciers, riding an avalanche down a mountain and surviving, exploring the source of waterfalls, or in travelling all over the world to see trees and mountain landscapes.

John Muir's radicalism manifested itself in the non-anthropocentric view of nature which saw man as part of the natural world rather than the centre of it. He noted: "When we try to pick out anything by itself , we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe." This was a remarkable insight for a man who was born 164 years ago, who lived when industrialism was just getting into full swing.

He recognised that all living things were a part of a whole, and that if we lose that whole we lose part of ourselves. "There is not a 'fragment' in all nature, for every relative fragment of one thing is a full harmonious unit in itself." For Muir, this was not a matter of merely conservation of natural resources, but a matter of human physical and psychic survival. Muir wrote, "I know that our bodies were made to thrive only in pure air, and the scenes in which pure air is found". He advocated preservation of natural areas for reasons of mental health: "Come to the deep woods, for here is rest. There is no repose like that of the green deep woods. Here grow the wallflower and the violet. The squirrel will come and sit upon your knee, the log cock will wake you in the morning. Sleep is forgetfulness of all ill. Of all the upness accessible to mortals, there is no upness comparable to the mountains."

Muir's insights were landmarks in the history of environmental conservation. The words and deeds of John Muir led to the establishment of the U.S. National Park System, (including during his lifetime Yosemite, Sequoia, Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest and others). He was the founding President of the Sierra Club, which remains today the leading American grass roots organisation for protecting wilderness and the human environment. He was not always successful, however, and some say he died of a broken heart when his beloved Hetch Hetchy Valley, within Yosemite National Park was lost to a dam and a reservoir for a San Francisco water supply, even though less damaging options existed. But that loss inspired conservationists to work tirelessly to prevent dams in other national parks, like the Grand Canyon and Dinosaur National Monument.

John Muir's life and voice remains a continuing inspiration to people today all over the world who are striving to protect the last fragments of living wilderness. Teaching us that Nature is not just a commodity, but an integrated whole. Muir showed us that it is the flow of life itself which must be preserved if humanity is to continue to thrive on this planet. His insight was of the Earth as a divinely-appointed home of natural beauty, if we would only keep it that way.

"When we contemplate the whole globe as one great dewdrop, striped and dotted with continents and islands, flying through space with other stars all singing and shining together as one, the whole universe appears as an infinite storm of beauty."

Is it any wonder that all of Muir's books are still in print? That new biographies about him are still being written and published, that people from his birthplace in Scotland have formed Dunbar's John Muir Association and his ranch home in Martinez, California is the home of the John Muir Memorial Association? And that his name is still invoked by those who believe that nature's treasures need protecting? Muir's heroic life is recognised in the geography of many places including the Muir Glacier in Alaska, Muir Memorial Park in Wisconsin, and in California by such place as Muir Woods National Monument, the John Muir Trail, the John Muir Wilderness, and the John Muir National Historic Site. In his birthplace in Dunbar, Scotland, there is a John Muir Country Park, and his birthplace home will soon house the John Muir Interpretative Centre. Scotland also boasts a John Muir Trust which works to preserve nature in the United Kingdom much as the Sierra Club does in the United States, Canada, and through global partners all around the world. Further, our appreciation for Muir is not confined to geography, for in California and elsewhere his birthday, April 21st, is recognised as "John Muir Day", a day to recognise the modern ecological insight that man is a part of Nature, and that our well-being - indeed our very survival - depends on an ecologically sound natural environment. Students and teachers can learn more about celebrating John Muir Day through the John Muir Study Guide.

Finally the John Muir Trust in Scotland and the Sierra Club in the U.S.A. have launched the John Muir Award to encourage all, but mainly young people, to get involved in discovering and protecting wild places as Muir did

John Muir is a hero that can best be honoured by each of us doing what we can to live his message by protecting the environment.

Nature's Temple

Some of you will already have seen the beautiful little volume of The Meditations of John Muir compiled by Chris Highland. Chris has now compiled a second volume. It is a delight to turn to this little book for inspiration and guidance. As Chris says -"Let John Muir lead you along the ultimate adventure that treks every range of light."

There are 60 Muir quotes coupled with selections from other celebrated thinkers and spiritual texts.

Muir and the Telephone

John Muir was not fond of new technology? Not according to Harold Wood. We already know that he fitted out his home in Martinez with electricity (including an electric fan). As Harold tells us the new telephone service became operational in July 1895. The first telephone directory covering all of California was published in January 1897. In the listing for Martinez is:- Prof. John Muir, Res. Red 63 (he was often given the honorific title of professor by newspapers and magazines of the day). So sometime in those 18 months, John Muir acquired a telephone. If he was alive today, would John Muir be using computers and the like. I, for one, believe so.

Computers - are they male or female

At the end of one of our Council meetings where we had discussed the new computer equipment, one of us, I forget who, mused as to what gender a computer was. As the Council comprises four women - Liz, Susan, Joan and Alison, and four men - Dan, Will Duncan and Jim, we divided into two groups, women and men, to determine whether a computer was male or female.

The men, on the other hand, concluded that computers were most certainly female because:-

Your Council

As a number of our members live outwith Dunbar, we thought that our Council should be asked to say a little about themselves. The first volunteers are our treasurer, Will Collin, and convener, Jim Thompson. The others will feature in later newsletters.

Will Collin

DJMA treasurer Will Collin was born and raised down the coast in Berwickshire as was his wife Val. He studied physics and mathematics at Edinburgh University (where one of his lecturers was Richard Sillitto), before becoming a teacher and 'ending up' in Dunbar in the late 1970s.

He can remember the John Muir Museum being opened at 128 High Street in 1981 and the two Dunbar schools being sent copies of Muir's books when they were reprinted by the Sierra Club. As Headteacher at the Grammar School he used extracts, particularly from "The Story of My Boyhood and Youth", at school assemblies. But not until Val and he were fortunate enough to accompany their daughter and future son-in-law on a visit to California did he appreciate the huge importance of Muir and his standing in California, and the USA generally.

Visits to, among other places, Muir Woods, Yosemite, and Sequoia National Parks, Lake Tahoe and the High Sierra, and of course to the "Big House" in Martinez opened Will's eyes. Wherever they went, there were sure to be references to Dunbar's famous son. At a remote crossroad, there was a 3m. high wooden carving of Muir. When they pulled into a lay-by to take in for the first time the awesome grandeur of Yosemite Valley, there was a plaque acknowledging that on that spot President Teddy Roosevelt and John Muir met to discuss the future of America's wild places.

Now as treasurer of the John Muir Birthplace Trust as well as DJMA, Will is committed to spreading the Muir story and message to anyone who will listen. He admits to being a relatively recent convert, but is no less sincere because of that. If any group out there is looking for a speaker to give a talk on John Muir, contact Will on 01368 863162

Jim Thompson

Our convener, Jim Thompson, is a Glaswegian who moved to Edinburgh with his brand new wife in 1960, being transferred by his employers, a major general insurance firm. Jim eventually became regional manager for his company, but domestically was gradually moving eastwards. He came to Dunbar in 1989 when given the opportunity to take early retirement. At that time, like the majority of his fellow countrymen, he was completely unaware of John Muir. A visit to the house corrected that, but an intense love of Scottish history and a notice in the local library seeking "Volunteers to train as guides to John Muir's Dunbar" first involved him with DJMA. (Jim was the first and still the only volunteer guide- training is still awaited). He has become well known to visitors to the town and it's his proud boast that so far, no one wanting to see John Muir's Dunbar has been let down, even those arriving without previous notice. Jim was eventually co-opted on to the council where he took on the responsibility of membership secretary and when the job of producing the newsletter became vacant, he took that on as well. Two years ago he became convener when pressure of work forced Duncan Smeed to stand down. (since writing the above, sadly two visitors who arrived late in the afternoon, were unable to be given the tour - our convener was otherwise engaged)

Dunbar Community Woodland Group

As part of the new housing development at Hallhill/Lochend, work is to be carried out over a ten year period in order to make some improvements to the approximately 80 acres of woodland that once formed the policy grounds of Lochend House (no longer standing. The woods are in the area bounded to the south by the A1, to the east by the Spott road, to the west by Hallhill, and to the north by the existing Lochend housing estate.). It is hoped that perhaps, after the development has taken place, ownership of the woods would come to the community. Then, it could end up being owned by the Dunbar Community Development Company, and DCWG take responsibility for the management of the woods.

In any event during the period of development, the opportunity exists for the community to influence the plan of work that is due to be undertaken, to ensure that the work carried out is sympathetic to the woods and to the needs of the community. Many people already use these woods for walking and recreation; and use of the woods will almost certainly increase as up to 500 families move into the new houses of the development, and improvements are made to the woods.

In the absence of management in recent times, there are many dead and diseased trees to be removed. Necessary thinning and replanting are due to take place; rubbish is to be removed. A play area is to be established and maintained, and significant work to establish a network of paths through the woods, and more.

John Muir Birthplace

The plans for the development of the Birthplace as an exhibition and interpretation centre are progressing well. Detailed design proposals are being finalised by Campbell and Co, the lead consultants with Richard Murphy architects and will go on public display shortly.

The brief for the creative team stressed the importance of providing a changing centre to allow the contemporary message to be updated and developed. This will be particularly important for local people wishing to use the centre regularly and for Muir enthusiasts wanting to study Muir in greater detail.

It is anticipated that the contract for the main alteration work will commence on site in June. The exhibition fit-out will follow later in the year and all work will be complete to allow the centre to open to the public in April 2003.

Clifftop Trail

Our new booklet was launched on 21st April, (the anniversary of John Muir's birth) by our patron, Professor Fred Last who later led a walk along part of the trail.

A lot of hard work went into the production of the booklet, all of which was given freely.. Dedications are given in the booklet but we would like to give to give a special acknowledgement to council members Susan Panton, Liz McLean and Will Collin who cajoled and badgered the experts who were giving of their knowledge andexpertise.

PS We have heard a whisper that "Maisie", the childrens' favourite literary cat from Morningside may be visiting Dunbar to find out about John Muir.

Newsletter copy

At the moment, the newsletter is a one man band. Help is needed. If you have an article or message to contribute, please let me know through the DJMA address.

Just a thought to finish

Ravensheugh Bank

On a grassy bank,
Before the sands,
Before the restless sea,
I wondered at the beauty of the changing scenery.

I sat upon a stone built seat,
Which bore a small brass plate,
"this seat was built in memory of a man who loved this place".

I paused to think what man was he,
Who loved it so much here?
Did he, like me, such beauty see,
To take it to eternity.

a sojourner

DJMA Newsletter #20

Newsletter No. 20
April 2002

Contents

Editorial

Clifftop Trail

John Muir - My Hero

Earthkeeper Hero:
John Muir

Nature's Temple

Muir and the Telephone

Computers - are they male or female

Your Council

Will Collin

Jim Thompson

Dunbar Community Woodland Group

John Muir Birthplace

Clifftop Trail

Newsletter copy

Just a thought to finish