Friends of John Muir's Birthplace

On 6th June,Geoff McQuilken, Executive Director of Mono Lake Committee, in California visited the Birthplace with his wife Sarah, children Caelen and Ellery, and father Gordon. Our tour of Dunbar was curtailed as the heavens opened and we got drookit.. However the ground floor of the house next door where the Muirs moved to in 1842 has recently opened as a tea room and we dried off there, so Geoff can say he visited both of John’s Dunbar homes

in fond memory of Susan

(1962 – 2012)

our gude fechter

an inspiration to us all

A book of remembrance will be available from Sunday 26th May at the John Muir Birthplace for all who wish to sign the book and add, if appropriate, their memories of a lovely lady. For those who cannot get to the Birthplace please email to info@jmbt.org.uk and your name will be added

From Dan Cairney, Past President.

A very sad day for the Friends of John Muir Birthplace at the lossof Susan, who although seriously ill for some time was still committed to the story of John Muir. In the early days of DJMA accommodated at her home with Jim and her young children, I’m sure at great inconvenience, always wanting to be involved. A wonderful lovely girl, wife and mother. The attached photograph, taken earlier this year, is a favourite of mine, showing a happy Susan enjoying a joke with me.

Mrs Susan Panton

t is with a sore heart that I have to tell you of the death of our secretary, Susan.

Susan died on Sunday 20^th May in Belhaven Hospital, her family beside her, after a long battle with cancer

Susan had been our secretary for many years with Dunbar’s John Muir Association and with Friends. She kept us all on the straight and narrow, organising events such as the Sand Sculpture competition, talks and walks , beach clear ups and, my particular favourite, the mulled wine and mince pie(s) at Christmas. She personified the saying ‘if you want something done, give it to a busy person.’

As a museum assistant at John Muir’s Birthplace, her talent at craft was immeasurable. She continually came up with ideas to educate and excite the children who came to the workshops and drop-ins. She contributed so much to the success of the Birthplace. As a volunteer at the Birthplace, I will miss the gorgeous smile that greeted me when I came in, a smile that filled the whole room with brightness. I am privileged that Susan considered me her friend.

Susan was a much loved wife, mother, daughter and sister and our heartfelt sympathies are with Jim, Katie, Ian and Hugh and all the family. Susan was a committed Christian and I know that she is now at rest with her God.

Susan

The April (#20) issue of the FoJMB Newsletter is now available online. Please see the Current Newsletter page for full details.

John Muir’s old school, Dunbar Burgh, some years ago split into a grammar and a primary. Dunbar Primary School is now the biggest in Scotland in terms of pupil numbers. As a result it has been divided into 2 campuses. The John Muir Campus takes the younger children from nursery to P3 and the Lochend Campus has P4 to P7. Friends of JMB decided to present both campuses with a selection of John Muir themed books for their libraries and last week past President Dan Cairney and current president JimThompson reprised their Muir and Roosevelt act to present the books. After the presentation the pupils at the Muir campus gave a very exuberant rendition of the Proclaimers song ” I would walk 500 miles and I would walk 500 more” with much stamping of feet.
Four pupils, Kayley Bamburgh, Rhian Dowding, Ewan Ramage and McKenzie Lawler, introduced ‘Muir and Roosevelt’. Their unedited introduction was as follows:-
We are very lucky because we live in the great town of Dunbar. Although lots of people from Dunbar go out into the world and do very well the most famous person from Dunbar has to be John Muir. He was born just up the road on the High Street in 1838, in fact you can visit John Muir’s Birthplace most days free of charge
But who was John Muir? Here are some facts. John was the oldest brother in a family of 5 girls and 3 boys. He started school at the age of three and went to the Grammar when he was seven. He was very adventurous, always climbing, exploring and being daring and he stayed like this when he grew up. In 1849 when he was 10 his father came in and told John and his brother Daniel not to bother with their homework because they were going to America the next morning
When they arrived in America the boys had to help build a house for the family and dig a well. John nearly died while digging. John Muir was a writer, a farmer, an inventor – we like the noisy seat he invented. All through his time in Dunbar and America he had a special love of nature. In 1867 he had an accident with a machine which blinded him and while he was in hospital he vowed that if he recovered his sight he would dedicate his life to looking after nature.
Luckily his sight returned and in 1867 he set off on a long walk- one thousand miles. He then discovered his very favourite place – Yosemite. He travelled far and wide throughout the world and had many adventures. When he returned to Yosemite years later he was shocked to find his wild place was being spoiled by farming. In 1903 he invited President Roosevelt to visit with him and they went on the most important camping trip in history. Three nights in Yosemite.. Can I now introduce 2 very special guests John Muir and President Roosevelt.

We’re going to finish our assembly by celebrating John Muir’s 1000 mile walk by singing “I would walk 500 miles and I would walk 500 more, just to be the man who walked a 1000 miles to fall down at your door.”

Friends are delighted to welcome Alison Mc Gachy to Council. Alison previously served as the John Muir Trust representative until she left on her round world trips. Alison’s knowledge and experience will be much welcomed by Council

FoJMB have just received a poem by Amy Broadhurst – Primary 5, Loretto RC Primary School, Musselburgh – that was completed as part of the John Muir Citizenship Project and a John Muir Award. Reproduced with permission.
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