Friends of John Muir's Birthplace

Annual General Meeting
25th April 2023
Convener’s Report

[The following Convener’s Report is the text of the submission to OSCR – the Scottish Charity Regulator – and highlights the activities and news from the Friends of John Muir’s Birthplace presented at the AGM on 25th April, 2023]

It is customary to begin the Convener’s report by stating the aims of Friends of John Muir Birthplace (FoJMB) as given in our constitution. These aims 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;
• to support the ongoing work of the John Muir Birthplace Charitable Trust and the staff of John Muir’s Birthplace.

As reported in the April 27^th 2021^[i] and April 28^th 2022^[ii] Convener Reports, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the restrictions it imposed, had a major, detrimental, impact on our ability to further the above objectives. As highlighted in the April 25^th 2023^[iii] Convener Report, the lack of face-to-face activities coupled with the realignment of many peoples’ priorities has meant that there is still little to report upon in terms of Friends’ engagement with its membership. As Convener this lack of direct engagement is, ultimately, my responsibility for which I’d like to take this opportunity again to apologise.

However, the FoJMB representation on the John Muir Birthplace Charitable Trust (JMBCT) – Liz McLean as the nominated FoJMB Trustee, Jacquie Bell as the nominated Dunbar Community Council nominee (until mid-July 2023) and myself as a co-opted Trustee – has been a very important contribution to that Trust. The latest JMBCT Convener’s Report [linked off the About JMBCT page^[iv]] gives insight to the scale of the efforts that the East Lothian Council’s Museum Service staff and the Trustees contribute to the vitality and viability of the Birthplace. 

The FoJMB online presence on its website^[v] and social media channels – Facebook^[vi] and Twitter^[vii] – and online meeting platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams remain important resources to support its activities. E.g.:

• Delivering a limited programme of talks and other events on John Muir and environmental topics. 
• Publishing regular news items and blog posts containing items regarding John Muir, environmental issues and the work of JMB and related organisations; published and promoted on its website and through social media.
• Liaising (mostly virtually) with people and organisations of influence both locally and nationally. Including: John Muir Birthplace Charitable Trust; Sustaining Dunbar; North Light Arts; John Muir Trust; Scottish Communities Climate Action Network; East Lothian Climate Action Network; VisitScotland; US National Parks Service.

Sustaining Dunbar^[viii] (SD) – a local community development trust – continues to collaborate closely with FoJMB and have been instrumental in the organisation, and support, of the ‘What If’ network^[ix] of local groups that are tackling many of the challenges identified in our John Muir, Earth-Planet, Universe (JMEPU) exhibition^[x].

The FoJMB involvement in the East Lothian Climate Action Network was an important element in the successful application for Scottish Government funding for the East Lothian Climate Hub^[xi]. In March 2024 the FoJMB organised an exhibition of the JMEPU panels to be displayed, and several presentations to be made, at the Hub’s Green Future Festival^[xii] event. Funding for the conversion of the original JMEPU panels to pull-up banner format, and the production of two additional Continuing the Legacy exhibition panels, was awarded by the Hub’s first round of seed grant funding.  The content of these Continuing the Legacy panels have been inspired by the various workshops that FoJMB have facilitated. Our initial consultation with a range of community groups and individuals has helped to identify some key themes for the new exhibition content in John Muir’s Birthplace. Namely:

• Our Wellbeing and Natural Connection
• Interconnectedness
• Biodiversity and ecology
• Pollution and destruction 
• Climate justice and Reparations

As reported in the 2022 Convener’s Report our collaboration with SD also resulted in a What Next for John Muir’s Birthplace?^[xiii] online ‘conference’ on March 24^th, 2021 as part of their What If? series. The outcomes from that event have helped inform the various workshops held since then and as reported above progress is being made in terms of influencing climate action policy taking into account the following themes:

• What role does John Muir’s Birthplace play in the life of the town and the High Street?
• What can we learn from John Muir’s life and legacy to support and inspire us?
• What role for the Birthplace in supporting the transition to a better future for all of us?

Given one of our major aims is to support the ongoing work of the John Muir Birthplace Charitable Trust and the staff of John Muir’s Birthplace we continue to collaborate with them on their plans to augment and refresh the JMB top floor exhibition area to incorporate content that highlights the climate challenges that affect us all and how we can all help to mitigate these challenges. One motivation for producing the plans and themes for this ‘refresh’ was to celebrate the 20^thanniversary of the Birthplace as it first opened its doors on 23^rd August 2003. Our aspiration to have the new content in place for its 21^st anniversary has proven to be overly optimistic, but it will happen.

I’d like to thank all my fellow Council members – past and present – for their tireless efforts in promoting Friends and the Birthplace. I sincerely hope that in the year(s) ahead we will be reinvigorated and will rise to the challenges that have been identified in our JMEPU exhibition and in the refresh of the Birthplace exhibition content. 

Best wishes.

Signed:       Duncan Smeed     

Date: 16th July 2024

^[i] https://muirbirthplacefriends.org.uk/2021/04/agm-2020-conveners-report/

^[ii] https://muirbirthplacefriends.org.uk/2022/04/agm-2021-conveners-report/

^[iii] https://muirbirthplacefriends.org.uk/2023/04/agm-2022-conveners-report/

^[iv] https://www.jmbt.org.uk/about/john-muir-birthplace-charitable-trust/

^[v] https://muirbirthplacefriends.org.uk

^[vi] https://www.facebook.com/groups/fojmb

^[vii] https://twitter.com/FoJMB_Dunbar

^[viii] https://sustainingdunbar.org

^[ix] https://sustainingdunbar.org/what-if/

^[x] https://muirbirthplacefriends.org.uk/exhibitions/john-muir-earth-planet-universe/

^[xi] https://eastlothianclimatehub.org

^[xii] https://eastlothianclimatehub.org/green-futures-festival-inspires-action-hope/

^[xiii] https://muirbirthplacefriends.org.uk/2021/04/what-next-for-friends-of-john-muirs-birthplace/

[The following Convener’s Report is the text of the submission to OSCR – the Scottish Charity Regulator – and highlights the activities and news from the Friends of John Muir’s Birthplace presented at the AGM on 28th April, 2022]

It is customary to begin the Convener’s report by stating the aims of Friends of John Muir Birthplace (FoJMB) as given in our constitution. These aims are:

1. 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;
2. to implement John Muir’s philosophy practically by conserving, restoring and enhancing landscape and wildlife in East Lothian and Scotland;
3. to support the ongoing work of the John Muir Birthplace Charitable Trust and the staff of John Muir’s Birthplace.

Over the past year the COVID-19 pandemic, and the restrictions it imposed, continued to have had a major, detrimental, impact on our ability to further the above objectives. For instance, the following, normal, face-to-face activities have been severely curtailed:

• Delivering a programme of talks and other events on John Muir and environmental topics, both within and outwith John Muir’s Birthplace.
• Providing volunteers on a regular and ad hoc basis to support JMB staff and to promote JMB both locally and further afield.
• Welcoming fellow Muir groups/enthusiasts to Dunbar.

However, the Friends online presence through its website[1] and social media channels – Facebook[2] and Twitter[3] – and platforms like Zoom remained the norm for much of its activities. These included:

• Delivering a limited programme of talks and other events on John Muir and environmental topics.
• Publishing regular news items and blog posts containing items regarding John Muir, environmental issues and the work of JMB and related organisations; published and promoted on its website and through social media.
• Liaising (mostly virtually) with people and organisations of influence both locally and nationally. Including: John Muir Birthplace Charitable Trust; Sustaining Dunbar; North Light Arts; John Muir Trust; Scottish Communities Climate Action Network; VisitScotland; US National Parks Service.

Another major activity undertaken during the year was the production of the John Muir, Earth-Planet, Universe (JMEPU) exhibition[4] panels for installation in the John Muir Birthplace temporary exhibition space in time for the May 5^th re-opening of the Birthplace after some COVID-19 restrictions had been lifted. These panels were for the indoor version[5] of the JMEPU outdoor exhibition[6] that was on display at Dunbar Harbour Battery from October 25^th, 2020 until the day that Storm Arwen wreaked havoc on the exhibition panels on November 26^th, 2021. Sustaining Dunbar[7] – a local community development trust – continues to collaborate closely with us and have been instrumental in the organisation, and support, of the ‘What If’ network[8] of local groups that are tackling many of the challenges identified in the exhibition.

In collaboration with Sustaining Dunbar (SD), we also organised a What Next for John Muir’s Birthplace? online ‘conference’ on March 24^th, 2021 as part of SD’s What If? series. During the event five speakers shared their presentations and discussed the following themes:

• What role does John Muir’s Birthplace play in the life of the town and the High Street?
• What can we learn from John Muir’s life and legacy to support and inspire us?
• What role for the Birthplace in supporting the transition to a better future for all of us?

Following the presentations there was a Q&A discussion. This session was recorded and a link to this video was included in our website article about this event[9].

Since such online virtual meetings remained quite commonplace during the past year it has been possible to engage with like-minded people and organisations to help influence, curate and then promote the content and aspirations of JMEPU. One other major initiative was our support of the aims and objectives of the Pilgrimage for COP26[10] and persuading the organisers to augment the original route of Edinburgh to Glasgow with a Dunbar to Edinburgh stage and to have the launch of the Pilgrimage to COP26 in Dunbar on October 17^th, 2021. This pilgrimage was a resounding success with over 100 people joining the walk from Dunbar to Glasgow (and with many more participating in the events programme[11] for the launch).

The success of the Birthplace is due, of course, to the hard work and dedication of the museum staff and, also, the Friends who help out on a voluntary basis. Despite lockdown restrictions and the limited capacity when the Birthplace was open during the past year, staff have been busy in updating and augmenting the digital resources and promoting these on a regular basis[12].

I’d like to thank all my fellow Council members – past and present – for their tireless efforts in promoting Friends and the Birthplace. The challenges posed by COVID-19 have been substantial and have severely limited our ability to engage with the membership through face-to-face meetings and activities. I sincerely hope that in the year(s) ahead we will be reinvigorated and will rise to the challenges that have been identified in our JMEPU exhibition.

Best wishes.

Signed:

Duncan Smeed

Date: 28th April 2022

[1] https://muirbirthplacefriends.org.uk
[2] https://www.facebook.com/groups/fojmb
[3] https://twitter.com/FoJMB_Dunbar
[4] https://muirbirthplacefriends.org.uk/exhibitions/john-muir-earth-planet-universe/
[5] https://muirbirthplacefriends.org.uk/2021/05/indoor-exhibition-john-muir-earth-planet-universe/
[6] https://muirbirthplacefriends.org.uk/2020/10/outdoor-exhibition-john-muir-earth-planet-universe/
[7] https://sustainingdunbar.org
[8] https://sustainingdunbar.org/what-if/
[9] https://muirbirthplacefriends.org.uk/2021/04/what-next-for-friends-of-john-muirs-birthplace/
[10] https://artandecology.earth/pilgrimage-for-cop26/
[11] https://northlightarts.org.uk/project/pilgrimage-for-cop26/
[12] https://www.jmbt.org.uk/news/

[The following Convener’s Report is the text of the submission to OSCR – the Scottish Charity Regulator – and highlights the activities and news from the Friends of John Muir’s Birthplace presented at the AGM that followed the What Next for Friends of John Muir’s Birthplace? event on March 24th, 2021.]

It is customary to begin the Convener’s report by stating the aims of Friends of John Muir’s Birthplace (FoJMB) as given in our constitution. These aims are:

1. 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;
2. to implement John Muir’s philosophy practically by conserving, restoring and enhancing landscape and wildlife in East Lothian and Scotland;
3. to support the ongoing work of the John Muir Birthplace Charitable Trust and the staff of John Muir’s Birthplace.

Over the past year the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions it imposed have had a major, detrimental, impact on our ability to further the above objectives. For instance, the following, normal, face-to-face activities have been curtailed:

• Delivering a programme of talks and other events on John Muir and environmental topics, both within and outwith John Muir’s Birthplace.
• Providing volunteers on a regular and ad hoc basis to support JMB staff and to promote JMB both locally and further afield.
• Welcoming fellow Muir groups/enthusiasts to Dunbar.

However, the Friends online presence through its website[1] and social media channels – Facebook[2] and Twitter[3] – and platforms like Zoom became the norm for much of its activities. These included:

• Delivering a programme of talks and other events on John Muir and environmental topics.
• Publishing regular news items and blog posts containing items regarding John Muir, environmental issues and the work of JMB; published and promoted o its website and through social media.
• Liaising (virtually) with people and organisations of influence both locally and nationally. Including: John Muir Birthplace Charitable Trust; John Muir Trust; VisitScotland; US National Parks Service; Sierra Club.

Another major activity undertaken during the year was to research, curate and produce the John Muir, Earth-Planet, Universe (JMEPU) exhibition[4]. Normally our exhibitions are produced in a format suitable for installation in the temporary exhibition room of John Muir’s Birthplace. Such exhibitions are normally scheduled for opening at the start of the summer season – usually on or around #JohnMuirDay, April 21^st. The first COVID-19 lockdown disrupted these plans but later in the year – and with the cooperation/permission of the Dunbar Harbour Trust – an outside version of the JMEPU exhibition[5] was installed at Dunbar Harbour Battery. Sustaining Dunbar[6] – a local community development trust – also worked closely with us and have been instrumental in the organisation, and support, of the ‘What If’ network of local groups that are tackling many of the challenges identified in the exhibition.

Since online virtual meetings became quite commonplace during the year it has been possible to engage with like-minded people and organisations to help influence, curate and then promote the content and aspirations of JMEPU. These online events have resulted in the following digital resources being produced:

• Online Exhibition: John Muir, Earth-Planet, Universe | Friends of John Muir’s Birthplace[7]
• Virtual Launch of JMEPU[8]
• Infinite Imagination Podcast[9] – A Scottish Communities Climate Action Network Podcast
• John Muir – Earth Planet Universe – Sustaining Dunbar[10]

The success of the Birthplace is due, of course, to the hard work and dedication of the museum staff and, also, the Friends that help out on a voluntary basis. Despite lockdown restrictions and the limited capacity when the Birthplace was open during the past year, staff have been busy in updating and augmenting the digital resources and promoting these on a regular basis[11].

I’d like to thank all my fellow Council members – past and present – for their tireless efforts in promoting Friends and the Birthplace. The challenges posed by COVID-19 have been substantial and have severely limited our ability to engage with the membership through face-to-face meetings and activities. It is too early to know what impact the pandemic will have had in the long term and what the ‘new’ normal will be like. I sincerely hope that in the year(s) ahead we will be reinvigorated and will rise to the challenges that have been identified in our JMEPU exhibition.

Best wishes.

Signed:

Duncan Smeed

Date: 24th March 2021

[1] muirbirthplacefriends.org.uk
[2] www.facebook.com/groups/fojmb
[3] twitter.com/FoJMB_Dunbar
[4] muirbirthplacefriends.org.uk/exhibitions/john-muir-earth-planet-universe/
[5] muirbirthplacefriends.org.uk/2020/10/outdoor-exhibition-john-muir-earth-planet-universe/
[6] sustainingdunbar.org
[7] muirbirthplacefriends.org.uk/2020/06/online-exhibition-john-muir-earth-planet-universe/
[8] muirbirthplacefriends.org.uk/2020/11/virtual-launch-of-jmepu-exhibition/
[9] www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-mdfz6-f2628c
[10] sustainingdunbar.org/2020/11/john-muir-earth-planet-universe/
[11] www.jmbt.org.uk/news/

On March 24th, 2021 at 7pm, Friends of John Muir’s Birthplace (FoJMB) and Sustaining Dunbar (SD) hosted an event in SD’s What If? series. During the event, five speakers shared their presentations and discussed the following themes:

• What role does John Muir’s Birthplace play in the life of the town and the High Street?
• What can we learn from John Muir’s life and legacy to support and inspire us?
• What role for the Birthplace in supporting the transition to a better future for all of us?

The Zoom session was recorded and is now available on Sustaining Dunbar’s Youtube channel here [link opens in a new tab].

One of the original aspirations for activity inspired by the Friends’ John Muir, Earth-Planet, Universe exhibition was to organise a walk along the John Muir Way from Dunbar to Glasgow ahead of the COP26 Summit that was due to be held in the city in November 2020. Needless to say that COVID-19 restrictions put paid to that last year.

However, due to contacts made during various online, climate action related, conferences, workshops and meetings, members of the Friends of John Muir’s Birthplace began collaborating with co-curators of a more extensive and ambitious ‘Pilgrimage for COP26’ – #pilgrimageforcop26 – curated by Jonathan Baxter – @artandecologyedinburgh. Although this pilgrimage is more than six months away and detailed plans and programmes of events, etc, are still being considered, Earth Day 2021 seemed to be a great opportunity for a ‘soft launch’ in Dunbar and to invite and encourage participations from people and organisations in East Lothian and beyond.

In addition to the Friends of John Muir’s Birthplace the main, local, collaborators are currently North Lights Arts, Sustaining Dunbar, and the Battery Theatre Company. Many more groups have expressed interest in the idea of some form of ‘pilgrimage’ that   helps people create their bonds with the natural world. More information of other groups, etc., will be announced in due course and, apart from local news and social media outlets, the main source of information will be Jonathan Baxter’s Pilgrimage for COP26 – A+E which includes the following introduction:

The pilgrimage commences in Dunbar on the 18th October to arrive in Glasgow on the 29th October – with events taking place in Glasgow on the 30th and 31st October. Pilgrims are invited to join the pilgrimage at any point during the journey.

Basic information

18^th October – 31^st October 2021

A pilgrimage from Dunbar to Glasgow to reflect on the climate and ecological crisis in anticipation of COP26.

The pilgrimage includes a public engagement programme to accompany the walkers and encourage participation en route.

Participating organisations include Deep Time Walk Project, Interfaith Edinburgh, Glasgow and Scotland, John Muir’s Birthplace, North Light Arts, Scottish Dance Theatre, and more.

Quotes

“Pilgrimages are a common cultural practice. Historically associated with religions, today they speak to a wider public in search of meaning through an interest in history, identity, roots, and heritage. The Pilgrimage for COP26 draws attention to the climate and ecological crisis. It offers a chance to reflect on this crisis by walking two well-trodden pathways, The John Muir Way from Dunbar to Kirkintilloch and St Ninian’s Way from Kirkintilloch to Glasgow. A key question animating the pilgrimage is this, ‘How can we honour the mutual bond that exists between people and planet, a bond that sustains our very existence?’” Jonathan Baxter, co-curator, Pilgrimage for COP26.

“North Light Arts are co-curating the start of the pilgrimage from Dunbar and across East Lothian along the John Muir Way. We are working with East Lothian Council, Sustaining Dunbar, the Battery Theatre Company and Friends of John Muir’s Birthplace to begin the conversation with exhibitions, talks and an opening event on Dunbar Harbour.” Susie Goodwin, Director, North Light Arts.

“The simple act of walking together through time and space enables us to explore the many ways humanity is deeply interconnected with the more-than-human world. We are pleased to bring a deep time perspective to the Pilgrimage for COP26, helping to galvanise positive action and advocacy at this critical juncture for humanity.” Robert Woodford, Executive Director, Deep Time Walk Project.

Other links:

1. North Light Arts
2. Sustaining Dunbar
3. BATTERY – Theatre Company
4. A+E | Facebook

It’s another beautiful sunny day in Dunbar on this #EarthDay. It is a great pity that the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions prevent large scale gatherings and community events such as beach cleans, litter-picking, tree-planting, and all manner of conservation and environmental activities that in past years have taken place during the week that sees #JohnMuirDay and #EarthDay.

Earth Day 2021 is the inspiration for climate action activities worldwide and the Earth Day 2021 | Restore Our Earth™ | EARTHDAY.ORG page highlights many of these.

Perhaps it’s time to start planning for #JohnMuirDay2022 #EarthDay2022 when, hopefully, some degree of normality returns and people can get together to “Do something for wildness…”