93 replies to this topic

[paulhooft]

Sometimes things happen together..
Dennis Hockenbury has just talked about the Jim Clark Room
in the Tazio Nuvolari tread!!
I wanted to go there for a long time!!
I found a nice 7 day trip by Ferry from the Netherlands to Newcastle.
From there it is only 1 1/2 hours Mazda Mx-5 drive to Berwick upon Tweed were I plan to stay..,
Berwick is only about 30 kilometers from the place where Jimmy Lived!
So at last in the beginning of October this wish will come true!!
I have this brochure about the Jim Clark room and Jim Clark Trail
and that will fit in wonderfully..
However all hints, espp. automotive, on model shops, bookshops, car museums and so on,
are very welcome
Paul

[JohnH]

That is a pretty cool trip. Undoubtedly, in Churnside you will see Jim's grave, his school is located next to the graveyard/church, and his house/farm named Edington Mains is still there. We drove down the road to look at and photograph the old house when we went three years ago, and also took pics of the sign Edington Mains. Of course we also took in the JC Room, small but great stuff in there.

JH

[paulhooft]

My Japanese...1999 Mazda Mx-5 (Miata) is my humble answer to his 1960s Lotus Elan...
I hope that he does not mind to much...
Paul

[David Beard]

Originally posted by paulhooft
My Japanese...1999 Mazda Mx-5 (Miata) is my humble answer to his 1960s Lotus Elan...
I hope that he does not mind to much...
Paul

I have been trying to convince my wife that she needs one of those...mind you she never did get the hang of our Elan +2.

I have never been to the Jim Clark Rooms. Perhaps some other northern UK TNFers could join me in meeting you there? (especially if it's a weekend)

[paulhooft]

Can't tell anything against the MX...
When I first got one..
My wife had something like
Why a Sportscar???
him Again...
Now-a-days,
4 years later
4 happy years of MX-5 driving..
We have our 2nd one
To tell the truth..
at least I hope.....
I think she is even more fond about it..
than I am..
In fact...
Many women do
What should I do next???
Paul

[Mac Lark]

I will be visiting the Jim Clark Room and his grave on Friday the 19th of September.

I have looked forward to this for years but a trip to Scotland from NZ is not an everyday occurance.

Anyone know if Duns is likely to have much in the way of B&Bs.

By the way, any TNFers likely to be at Doune for the hillclimb on the 21st?

[Vitesse2]

Mac:

http://www.informati...m?Place_ID=1317

[Roger Clark]

Originally posted by David Beard


I have never been to the Jim Clark Rooms. Perhaps some other northern UK TNFers could join me in meeting you there? (especially if it's a weekend)

Let me know when you're thinking of going.

[mickj]

Gentlemen and wives enjoy your time around Duns, Chirnside etc. My wife and I did in 2001. In Chirnside on the site of Doug Niven Cars (Jim Clark's cousin) was the Jock McBain Ford dealership which housed the Border Reivers racing team.

Just reading this forum has made me want to visit Scotland again.

[Mark A]

And if you have something with a bit of ground clearance and the Farmer isn't around then a lap of Charterhall is possible.;)

I haven't been there for a few years. First visit after bugging my parents was in 1987 before it was expanded to the larger museum which now exists, it really was a room back then.

It has become a bit more comercialised since then, and my last visit was in 1997. I believe it has been further expanded since then. I really need to go back, especially as I now own a Lotus.

One thing I would suggest is checking opening times, as they used to close for the winter.

[Vitesse2]

Originally posted by Mark A
One thing I would suggest is checking opening times, as they used to close for the winter.

It still does - but not till the end of October.

http://www.informati...m?Place_ID=1317

[paulhooft]

I sail on sunday 5 october from IJmuiden, Netherlands and arrive I on Mondaymorning in Newcastle..,
then drive to Berwick..
so I plan to visit the Jim Clark Room and make the trail on Tuesday or Wednesday...
Paul

[Pete Stowe]

Originally posted by paulhooft
However all hints, espp. automotive, on model shops, bookshops, car museums and so on,
are very welcome
Paul

There’s a couple of small car museums about 80Km from Berwick,
at Melrose http://travel.scotla...s/borders6.html

and at Aberlady near Haddington, the Myreton Motor Museum,
http://www.geo.ed.ac...refirst265.html


(& if you’re interested in aircraft also near Haddington is the Museum of Flight at East Fortune ).
www.nms.ac.uk/flight

Mac, as you’re travelling further north to Doune you might want to go via Clark’s birthplace at Kilmany, near Cupar, Fife, where there’s a statue in his memory
http://www.scotland2...uk/kilmany2.htm

[David Beard]

A bit of a drive, but in my favourite part of lowland Scotland.....the Coulthard museum.

http://www.davidcoul.../museumHome.htm

[Mac Lark]

Originally posted by Pete Stowe
Mac, as you’re travelling further north to Doune you might want to go via Clark’s birthplace at Kilmany, near Cupar, Fife, where there’s a statue in his memory
http://www.scotland2...uk/kilmany2.htm

Thanks for that but it was already part of the master plan ;)

[David Beard]

Someone I have just spoken to told me that they thought the Jim Clark Room was being moved to Edinburgh. Anyone else heard this?

[BorderReiver]

Originally posted by David Beard
Someone I have just spoken to told me that they thought the Jim Clark Room was being moved to Edinburgh. Anyone else heard this?

I hope not, lovely city though Edinburgh is, the Jim Clark room whould remain where it is.

The Jim Clark room is a fantastic day out by the way, for all of you who haven't been.

Incidentally for all planning to go soon, if you can't find a place in Duns, I recommend staying in Kelso or Berwick, two lovely towns you'll enjoy visiting anyway. Or of course you could always wait until next year and then come and stop with me ;)

[Barry Boor]

For a nice B&B try the Smithy in the village of Cranshaws, just a few miles west of Duns.

When Heather and I stayed there some years ago, the landlady was a schoolfriend of Jim's and knew him very well.

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by BorderReiver
.....Or of course you could always wait until next year and then come and stop with me ;)

Don't count on him folks...

I'm still waiting on a certain promise he made to me being fulfilled!















.....Yes, I'm sure the spirit's willing but the flesh is weak!.....

[Ruairidh]

Originally posted by BorderReiver


The Jim Clark room is a fantastic day out by the way, for all of you who haven't been.

Yes it is. And the roads where Jimmy learned to drive are well worth driving. Just watch out for the local plod as you accelerate out of corners with your head tilted slightly to one side in that familiar way.

Jimmy's grave was awful tough though.

[Pete Stowe]

Originally posted by David Beard
Someone I have just spoken to told me that they thought the Jim Clark Room was being moved to Edinburgh. Anyone else heard this?

Maybe they've got confused with the Jim Clark Rally having moved its base from Duns to Edinburgh this year?

[BorderReiver]

Originally posted by Ray Bell


Don't count on him folks...

I'm still waiting on a certain promise he made to me being fulfilled!

Sorry Ray, my apologies. As soon as a tear myself away from these Swedish ladies, win my Race and get back home, I'll rectify the situation. (It's all done and dusted, just needs mailing)

[Ray Bell]

Why can't you take them home with you?

Oh, yeah, you're just a boy...

Thanks Alex, I'm waiting with bated breath.

[Dennis Hockenbury]

Today I read a wonderful article on Atlas F1 entitled "Forgotten in the Forest " written by Thomas O'Keefe regarding the Jim Clark Memorial Stone at Hockenheimring.

For those of us interested in such matters, a very well written and moving account of this memorial to Jim.

Highly recommended.

[Double Apex]

Originally posted by Dennis Hockenbury
Today I read a wonderful article on Atlas F1 entitled "Forgotten in the Forest " written by Thomas O'Keefe regarding the Jim Clark Memorial Stone at Hockenheimring.

For those of us interested in such matters, a very well written and moving account of this memorial to Jim.

Highly recommended.

Just read it as well Very nice read!

A little OT maybe but what a shame they removed all of the old track

[Haddock]

I was going to visit the Jim Clark room when I went down for the Memorial rally earlier this year (a trip in itself - am I the only TNFer over the age of 25 without possession of a car ?) but of course they had shut it for the day.

I live in Edinburgh and I've heard no word of the museum being moved there. Can't see why it should be - I don't think Clark had any particular connection with the place - though Kilmany is not far from here.

[Vicuna]

The only Jim Clark/Edinburgh connection would Loretto wouldn't it?

[dbltop]

They do have odd hours. The last time I was there was in 2001 and we, my father and I, arrived about 11;30 am and they closed from 12 until 2. We couldn't stay that late so it was a short visit. Still it was pleasure to be there and the drive from Peebles was wonderful.

[paulhooft]

I hopeI can get a good lunch in a local pub with some nice English beer:
any adresses??
Paul

[bira]

Originally posted by Dennis Hockenbury
Today I read a wonderful article on Atlas F1 entitled "Forgotten in the Forest " written by Thomas O'Keefe regarding the Jim Clark Memorial Stone at Hockenheimring.

For those of us interested in such matters, a very well written and moving account of this memorial to Jim.

Highly recommended.

There's a follow-up article, the week after, by Thomas O'Keefe titled Remembered Down on the Farm and it details Tom's visit to Jimmy Clark's home town, the Jim Clark Room, and more... The two pieces contrast and compliment each other fantastically. If you've read the first, read the second piece as well.

[Geoff E]

Originally posted by paulhooft
I hopeI can get a good lunch in a local pub with some nice English beer:
any adresses??
Paul

Are you going to England as well?

Bazzer

[Dennis Hockenbury]

Originally posted by bira
There's a follow-up article, the week after, by Thomas O'Keefe titled Remembered Down on the Farm and it details Tom's visit to Jimmy Clark's home town, the Jim Clark Room, and more... The two pieces contrast and compliment each other fantastically. If you've read the first, read the second piece as well.

An excellent article which should be required reading for those contemplating the "Jim Clark Tour".

Thanks Bira for pointing out the follow-up article, which I had somehow missed. I enjoyed reading it as the article brought back many great memories of my own JC Tour several years ago.

[paulhooft]

the problem is that I do not have access to the pages,
I understand you have to have a subsription for the pages??
Paul

[David Beard]

Finally made my pilgrimage to the Jim Clark Room at Duns.



As expected, it’s only a small display, but very nicely done. I found Paul Hooft’s entry in the visitors’ book, many pages back. Senna’s entry was away in an archive, but a photo was on display of him there, in Malboro fag clobber.
Very minor gripe: some of the trophies were stood directly in front of the photo of the relevant event, making them hard to study.
A video (new to me) was running covering Jimmy at Indy in 63, 64, and 65. It was an American production: the slant was interesting on occasion.

We went on to find the grave at Chirnside. I was pleased to find there was no “This Way” sign…we had to hunt it down. We spent a quiet moment…





Then on the road out of Chirnside toward Berwick I spotted the wrought iron sign pointing to Edinginton Mains, so we went and found the farm. A horrible modern but successful looking factory farm type establishment now stands alongside the farmhouse, but the evocative gates remain….

[paulhooft]

I am very pleased you found my entry in the book, but most of all that it was many pages back:
So a lot of people came to visit this charming room after me
That is GOOD!!

You can find a lot of video of Jimmy's Indianapolis 500 adventures on the DVD
Indianapolis 500: The 60s by IMS
Including the documentary: The British Invasion as an Extra..
For sale at the IMS.

Shameless Plug:
If you cannot get it there,
I have a spare one here for sale
(and two others from this series, 70s and 80s..)

Paul Hooft

[Gary C]

evocative photos, David, I really must get up there at some point.

[john aston]

A regular trip for me - driving up there in a Caterham feels like an homage in itself.The rooms are v small and do not take v long to experience but it is worth exploring the area- and Chirnside of course for the grave.I filled up in Duns last visit- and noticed the garage was owned by- the Aitken Walker family- as in Louise rally pilot.Wonderful roads in the area- I had a fantastic blat along the Tweed valley.

[Barry Boor]

They have moved the exhibition since I was up there about 12 years ago.

It used to be in a building in a street actually in the centre of Duns.

This place looks much nicer.

[paulhooft]

In fact I was twice at the Jim Clark room.
When I was at the Jim Clark room 2 years ago, they had those very nice Polo's shirts that say
Jim Clark, World Champion 1963 1965,
in both green and dark bleu.
I got one en green, only to remember that the colour of Scotland is in fact Dark Blue.
So I went back the next day I got the other one too!!
It is my favourite now!
Paul

[Mac Lark]

Originally posted by Mac Lark
I will be visiting the Jim Clark Room and his grave on Friday the 19th of September.

I have looked forward to this for years but a trip to Scotland from NZ is not an everyday occurance.

Anyone know if Duns is likely to have much in the way of B&Bs.

By the way, any TNFers likely to be at Doune for the hillclimb on the 21st?

Since this has been revived...

I did indeed fly from London to Scotland on 19 Sept 2003. However by the time I arrived in Duns the Room was closed for the day.

As an aside - I spent all afternoon driving across from whatever the airport near Troon is called only to end up sleeping in England!

The most helpful chap in the Room wondered if I'd set some sort of a record for the longest time spent there and even gave me Ian Scott-Watson's phone number however I didn't want to impose. I went to the grave, the clock designed by IS-W, the art deco school Jimmy attended and also stopped by the famous gates of the farm. From there it was off to Loretto and then up to Kilmany.

That's quite a hike and it was getting close to dark when I arrived however it was totally worthwhile. The countryside is just wonderful and I quickly realised how Scottish farmers that emigrated to the South Island of NZ must've wondered

'We've been on a ship for 3 months only to arrive at a place that looks just like where we left...'

I did indeed go to Doune for the final round of the Hillclimb championship and that was a great day of old fashioned motor racing. Not old cars - old fashioned things like sportsmanship and friendship.

I have only two complaints about the Room - both of which may have been fixed.

There is no credit card facility - I would have bought heaps more otherwise.

And 'XOS' in their sweat shirt didn't stack up. At least it means I'll never wear it...

[Mac Lark]

Originally posted by Mac Lark




As an aside - I spent all afternoon driving across from whatever the airport near Troon is called only to end up sleeping in England!

Prestwick

[sterling49]

I have finally arranged to visit the Jim Clark Rooms after a near miss a few years ago. I am really looking forward to this pilgrimage. I have read through this thread, but any information that other members have from recent visits would be well received. I wonder how many TNF memebrs have visited????

[FrankB]

I wonder how many TNF memebrs have visited????

I'll start the count... 1

[Coral]

I first visited the Jim Clark Room in 1987 and I have been back more times than I care to remember! I am usually to be found there on 7th April. I never ever tire of the place...

[sterling49]

I first visited the Jim Clark Room in 1987 and I have been back more times than I care to remember! I am usually to be found there on 7th April. I never ever tire of the place...

Any tips Coral and Frank????

[cooper997]

I have finally arranged to visit the Jim Clark Rooms after a near miss a few years ago. I am really looking forward to this pilgrimage. I have read through this thread, but any information that other members have from recent visits would be well received. I wonder how many TNF memebrs have visited????

Sterling,

Not recent, as I made my visit in August 1994 just prior to Mini 35. Stayed the night before at Berwick-upon-Tweed, a short distance to the Scottish border and not a huge distance from Duns.

Make sure you take a camera, as there's a lot to take in - even though the room is very cosy. So probably get there early so you can photograph without too many other people getting in the way.

The address I have from the brilliant A4 flyer for The Jim Clark Room, features a painting of Jimmy in the Team Lotus 49, quotes 44 Newtown St, Duns - phone 0361 83960 (hopefully it's still relevant) and these days there's probably a website anyway.

Just dug out my photos and it has reminded me that the elderly chap minding the room that day, was keen to show me the visitor book. Because another motor racing great, Ayrton Senna had made the pilgrimage on 23/2/91.

Stephen

[Pat Clarke]

Hi all,
I visited the Jim Clark room (and the grave and Edington Main) last month when I was in the UK, then a week later, I walked out into the forest at hockenheim to see the Jim Clark memorial there.

I too bought the green polo shirt and I too regretted not getting the blue one, but it was too late. Maybe another time.

Interestingly, a few lines ahead of me in the visitors book were the signatures of Bob Riley and Colin Bond, both no doubt well known to Australian TNFfers

Pat

[barrykm]

I visited in November/December 1977, I cannot now remember - I'll have to search for the bill from the Black Bull inn in Duns. The Trophy Room was closed for the winter months and the hotel owner contacted the curator who especially opened the Room for me.

The curator then, at his own initiative, contacted Mr and Mrs Clark and told them that I was a visitor from South Africa which resulted in them inviting me for tea. Jim's parents were the most wonderful and charming people and I had an unforgettable two hours, or so, with them. Out of respect I did not take any pictures.

I also visited Jim's grave.

I would love to go back!

Edited by barrykm, 20 September 2009 - 07:39.

[Giraffe]

The address I have from the brilliant A4 flyer for The Jim Clark Room, features a painting of Jimmy in the Team Lotus 49, quotes 44 Newtown St, Duns - phone 0361 83960 (hopefully it's still relevant)

By 2002 it was A5, and the phone number updated:


By giraffe138


By giraffe138

[Coral]

Make sure you take a camera, as there's a lot to take in - even though the room is very cosy. So probably get there early so you can photograph without too many other people getting in the way.

Hi Sterling,

Any time I have been to the Jim Clark Room, I have not been allowed to take photographs, which is a pity as I would love some photos.

I would definitely visit Jim's grave while you are in the area...Chirnside is about seven miles from Duns. There is also the Jim Clark Clock which is at the top of Crosshill in Chirnside. There are some great places to stay while you are there...I have stayed at the Chirnside Inn (formerly Waterloo Arms) which is across the road from the Churchyard. The Chirnside Hall Country Hall Hotel is beautiful and is a lovely peaceful place to stay, although it is more expensive. The Allanton Inn is situated about a mile south of Chirnside and it is also wonderful.

I hope you enjoy your stay!