Comments for Help Save Moat Brae http://www.moatbrae.org and the garden that inspired 'Peter Pan' Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:31:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 Comment on Project Moves Ahead by Rachael http://www.moatbrae.org/moat-brae/project-moves-ahead/comment-page-1/#comment-105 Rachael Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:31:03 +0000 http://www.moatbrae.org/moat-brae/project-moves-ahead/#comment-105 I'm very pleased to hear the Trust has managed to secure Moat Brae! I live in the direct vicinity of Moat Brae, although I am currently in the US until January, and I would love to be involved in the Trust's activities on my return. [Rachel, thank you. Please do contact the Trust on your return!] I’m very pleased to hear the Trust has managed to secure Moat Brae! I live in the direct vicinity of Moat Brae, although I am currently in the US until January, and I would love to be involved in the Trust’s activities on my return.

[Rachel, thank you. Please do contact the Trust on your return!]

]]> Comment on Project Moves Ahead by PS http://www.moatbrae.org/moat-brae/project-moves-ahead/comment-page-1/#comment-86 PS Thu, 08 Oct 2009 07:17:30 +0000 http://www.moatbrae.org/moat-brae/project-moves-ahead/#comment-86 Of many delightful fictions I have read, Peter Pan is one. But Loreburn’s interesting assertion that it secured ‘the site’ for the town might possibly be considered a piece of creative writing too, since in more than a year that Loreburn had owned the house, it had sunk into decay through what appears to have been neglect. Water had gained ingress and the building was rotting. It was also reported in the press that Loreburn intended to pull the house down, leaving merely the facade – and the plot itself,of course … perhaps such an act could be termed ’securing the site.’? One is no expert in such terms. But Loreburn has now done an excellent thing in selling Moat Brae to a trust committed to restoring this beautiful house and garden for the local and wider community and genuinely to preserve a piece of a still extremely pretty, historic town. For which act, Loreburn is to be most heartily congratulated. Of many delightful fictions I have read, Peter Pan is one.
But Loreburn’s interesting assertion that it secured ‘the site’ for the town might possibly be considered a piece of creative writing too, since in more than a year that Loreburn had owned the house, it had sunk into decay through what appears to have been neglect. Water had gained ingress and the building was rotting. It was also reported in the press that Loreburn intended to pull the house down, leaving merely the facade – and the plot itself,of course … perhaps such an act could be termed ’securing the site.’? One is no expert in such terms. But Loreburn has now done an excellent thing in selling Moat Brae to a trust committed to restoring this beautiful house and garden for the local and wider community and genuinely to preserve a piece of a still extremely pretty, historic town. For which act, Loreburn is to be most heartily congratulated.

]]> Comment on Project Moves Ahead by NR http://www.moatbrae.org/moat-brae/project-moves-ahead/comment-page-1/#comment-79 NR Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:02:23 +0000 http://www.moatbrae.org/moat-brae/project-moves-ahead/#comment-79 Excellent news! Excellent news!

]]> Comment on Save Moat Brae by High profile listed buildling case at Moat Brae House, Dumfries | IHBC Scotland News http://www.moatbrae.org/save-moat-brae/comment-page-1/#comment-34 High profile listed buildling case at Moat Brae House, Dumfries | IHBC Scotland News Tue, 25 Aug 2009 13:03:18 +0000 http://www.moatbrae.org/?page_id=24#comment-34 [...] Link offered for information without comment or endorsement: http://www.moatbrae.org/save-moat-brae/ [...] [...] Link offered for information without comment or endorsement: http://www.moatbrae.org/save-moat-brae/ [...]

]]> Comment on Save Moat Brae by YVIETEARE http://www.moatbrae.org/save-moat-brae/comment-page-1/#comment-33 YVIETEARE Sun, 23 Aug 2009 06:14:04 +0000 http://www.moatbrae.org/?page_id=24#comment-33 Is it true that a joint bid will be put forward to Loreburn from the Trust and The Dumfries and Galloway Council? The meeting was fantastic and the support from those there was solid. With some big hitters on our side we must be hopeful of saving the building now. Is it true that a joint bid will be put forward to Loreburn from the Trust and The Dumfries and Galloway Council?
The meeting was fantastic and the support from those there was solid.
With some big hitters on our side we must be hopeful of saving the building now.

]]> Comment on Save Moat Brae by NR http://www.moatbrae.org/save-moat-brae/comment-page-1/#comment-32 NR Sat, 22 Aug 2009 09:26:13 +0000 http://www.moatbrae.org/?page_id=24#comment-32 The building is not in imminent danger of collapse, it is not a danger to the passing public, it has been inspected by one of the UK's leading historic building engineers (Charles Blackett-Ord, Appleby, Cumbria) and one of the leading conservation architects (James Simpson, Edinburgh) and although it requires urgent work to turn off the water supply and prevent further vandalism and flooding, replace a long missing skylight to prevent further water ingress and deterioration, ensure the dome is watertight, and the building allowed to dry out, it is NOT beyond rescue. Once the building is watertight then dry rot will die also, as it needs a level of moisture to thrive. It is also the case that removal of the fine interior, of which a great deal survives, would mean destruction of the listed building. This sort of destruction and facade retention scheme is not what conservation of important historic architecture is about. It should not be contemplated. Newall was a fine architect, and his work should be respected. Grants (including heritage lottery funding) should be available to help repair/restore the whole historic building, if the building and garden can be acquired, and the right re-use scheme is brought forward (not a facade scheme). I understand that such schemes are being urgently considered by the newly formed Building Preservation Trust, with professional high level advice being given. The building and the garden cannot and should not be considered separately. The Trust needs all the support, practical and financial, it can get at this time. This is not now simply a local matter, it is a national cause, if not an international one, see website below: http://www.savebritainsheritage.org/news/article.php?id=86 We all just have to shout loudly that we believe in fairies! But it can happen. Give this all the suport you can. The rescue of this house and garden will not be rapid, not be easy, but will be supremely worthwhile. I have no doubt that all practical and financial support, including donations, will be hugely welcomed, and the matter of financial support is an urgent one. The building is not in imminent danger of collapse, it is not a danger to the passing public, it has been inspected by one of the UK’s leading historic building engineers (Charles Blackett-Ord, Appleby, Cumbria) and one of the leading conservation architects (James Simpson, Edinburgh) and although it requires urgent work to turn off the water supply and prevent further vandalism and flooding, replace a long missing skylight to prevent further water ingress and deterioration, ensure the dome is watertight, and the building allowed to dry out, it is NOT beyond rescue. Once the building is watertight then dry rot will die also, as it needs a level of moisture to thrive.

It is also the case that removal of the fine interior, of which a great deal survives, would mean destruction of the listed building. This sort of destruction and facade retention scheme is not what conservation of important historic architecture is about. It should not be contemplated. Newall was a fine architect, and his work should be respected.

Grants (including heritage lottery funding) should be available to help repair/restore the whole historic building, if the building and garden can be acquired, and the right re-use scheme is brought forward (not a facade scheme). I understand that such schemes are being urgently considered by the newly formed Building Preservation Trust, with professional high level advice being given.

The building and the garden cannot and should not be considered separately.

The Trust needs all the support, practical and financial, it can get at this time. This is not now simply a local matter, it is a national cause, if not an international one, see website below:

http://www.savebritainsheritage.org/news/article.php?id=86

We all just have to shout loudly that we believe in fairies! But it can happen. Give this all the suport you can.

The rescue of this house and garden will not be rapid, not be easy, but will be supremely worthwhile.

I have no doubt that all practical and financial support, including donations, will be hugely welcomed, and the matter of financial support is an urgent one.

]]> Comment on Save Moat Brae by Yvie Teare http://www.moatbrae.org/save-moat-brae/comment-page-1/#comment-30 Yvie Teare Thu, 20 Aug 2009 21:06:29 +0000 http://www.moatbrae.org/?page_id=24#comment-30 I am rather bemused as to why last nights message was deleted. Anyway,once again all the best Roger and lets hope lots of money can be raised to halt the decline of this building. I believe many council officials are keen to lend support so it may be that they will step in help us financially. This building is an asset to Dumfries and the people here should be ashamed it has been neglected like this. I am rather bemused as to why last nights message was deleted.
Anyway,once again all the best Roger and lets hope lots of money can be raised to halt the decline of this building.
I believe many council officials are keen to lend support so it may be that they will step in help us financially.
This building is an asset to Dumfries and the people here should be ashamed it has been neglected like this.

]]> Comment on Save Moat Brae by Yvie http://www.moatbrae.org/save-moat-brae/comment-page-1/#comment-29 Yvie Wed, 19 Aug 2009 20:08:15 +0000 http://www.moatbrae.org/?page_id=24#comment-29 Best wishes on your campaign Roger,the building once restored to its former glory will make the most wonderful art gallery. We simply cant allow "social housing" on this site and we must repel boarders at all costs!! Best wishes on your campaign Roger,the building once restored to its former glory will make the most wonderful art gallery.
We simply cant allow “social housing” on this site and we must repel boarders at all costs!!

]]> Comment on Save Moat Brae by SP Burns http://www.moatbrae.org/save-moat-brae/comment-page-1/#comment-27 SP Burns Tue, 18 Aug 2009 18:43:29 +0000 http://www.moatbrae.org/?page_id=24#comment-27 i would like to add that i am fully supportive of any practical scheme to bring this building back to life. It is scandalous that the Council in Dumfries, with their usual apathy have allowed this piece of history to deteriorate to the extent it has. And, what role have Historic Scotland had in this? However, I feel it is important to note that it is the grounds which are the inspiration, and, sadly, not the Newall architecture. It would though be totally appropriate for any new reconstructed interior to retain the majority of the elements of the existing building; particularly the dome and gallery. If the building interior structure could be saved then fine I would welcome that, but the situation is as far as i can see terminal. This is not LHAs fault. Look elsewhere for targets to blame.....(BTW i have no connection to LHA, no involvement in the structural decision process, and no professional axe to grind. I only want this building brought back into useful service as a memorial to Barrie, and his Dumfries connections) i would like to add that i am fully supportive of any practical scheme to bring this building back to life. It is scandalous that the Council in Dumfries, with their usual apathy have allowed this piece of history to deteriorate to the extent it has. And, what role have Historic Scotland had in this? However, I feel it is important to note that it is the grounds which are the inspiration, and, sadly, not the Newall architecture. It would though be totally appropriate for any new reconstructed interior to retain the majority of the elements of the existing building; particularly the dome and gallery. If the building interior structure could be saved then fine I would welcome that, but the situation is as far as i can see terminal. This is not LHAs fault. Look elsewhere for targets to blame…..(BTW i have no connection to LHA, no involvement in the structural decision process, and no professional axe to grind. I only want this building brought back into useful service as a memorial to Barrie, and his Dumfries connections)

]]> Comment on Save Moat Brae by SP Burns http://www.moatbrae.org/save-moat-brae/comment-page-1/#comment-26 SP Burns Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:42:11 +0000 http://www.moatbrae.org/?page_id=24#comment-26 just to add, you appear to be allowing people on this site to believe the plan is total removal. it is not....a new internal structure will be proposed using the existing georgian facade, so, no new box of flats is intended! just to add, you appear to be allowing people on this site to believe the plan is total removal. it is not….a new internal structure will be proposed using the existing georgian facade, so, no new box of flats is intended!

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