93 replies to this topic

[sterling49]

Thanks all/Coral for info, I am eager to visit, but just know it will be poignant, even after all this time.

[Paul Hurdsfield]

Hyah Sterling

I went in July this year for my second visit, the first was in 2001.
This years visit coincided with the Jim Clark film show in Duns, both highly reccomended
There are notices saying photography is prohibited, although I had my camera with me, out of respect i didnt ask for permission to use it, I just feasted my eyes on what was before me.
The phone number on my flyer (like Girrafes) is 01361 883960 be aware, out of the tourist season check the opening times it says on the flyer October mon-sat 1.00-4.00pm only.
It's a very emotional sort of place, the village, the cemetary, Chirnside, Edington Mains......

Enjoy

Edited by Paul Hurdsfield, 21 September 2009 - 06:52.

[sterling49]

I will be going on a Saturday with a mate from when we used to watch Jim. Will probably spend the moring looking around and go to the rooms as per October opening times, in the afternoon. I found the Beatles exhibition hard in 2002, these role models made a very big impact on our (then) young lives.

I will phone during the week to ensure all is ok with opening times, I would rather have gone earlier, it is just the way it has worked out Paul.

[BerndRos]

Hi Sterling

My first fixed memory of J C was as a kid seeing him win the 1965 GP at Silverstone and his last win in 1967 is vivid ! Remember saying hello and getting his autograph and where I was as a 12 year old when the news flash came through .

While on the way from Spa to Monza a couple of weeks ago stopped off at Hockenheim to see the new memorial and last year attended the J C Revival meeting at Hockenheim where the new memorial was unveiled , also walked out to the accident spot .

Was also at the Michael Oliver film show which was a re run of last years at Oxford ( Minus the panel ) and did the full tour , Trophy Room , Cemetary , Adjacent School where J C attended , Edington Main , Memorial clock & plaques , Visited both Charterhall & Winfield which are nearby , also stayed at the Chirnside Inn and read the new book on Jim by the curater of the trophy room .

Oh and also had a look at Loretto School in Edinburgh which J C also attended !

The full Monty .

[Paul Hurdsfield]

Bernd, were you the chap in the red rally jacket in the JC rooms before the film show?
If so we were in there at the same time, I was the short arse with glasses and a Westfield Sports car club polo shirt

Edited by Paul Hurdsfield, 20 September 2009 - 21:13.

[sterling49]

Hi Sterling

My first fixed memory of J C was as a kid seeing him win the 1965 GP at Silverstone and his last win in 1967 is vivid ! Remember saying hello and getting his autograph and where I was as a 12 year old when the news flash came through .

While on the way from Spa to Monza a couple of weeks ago stopped off at Hockenheim to see the new memorial and last year attended the J C Revival meeting at Hockenheim where the new memorial was unveiled , also walked out to the accident spot .

Was also at the Michael Oliver film show which was a re run of last years at Oxford ( Minus the panel ) and did the full tour , Trophy Room , Cemetary , Adjacent School where J C attended , Edington Main , Memorial clock & plaques , Visited both Charterhall & Winfield which are nearby , also stayed at the Chirnside Inn and read the new book on Jim by the curater of the trophy room .

Oh and also had a look at Loretto School in Edinburgh which J C also attended !

The full Monty .

I attended the Oxford Film Show, Ian Scott Watson and other guests made the event amazing. The films will keep Jim's exploits fresh as well, for the younger folks that learn about our sport. It must have very special to watch the films on that hallowed ground.

[BerndRos]

Hi Paul

I may have been wearing my Red jacket with the word : NURBURGRING : on the front and back .

[cooper997]

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.

Clearly more than just the phone number has changed in 15 years.

I certainly didn't have any problem being able to take the photos back then. Admittedly a long time in which policies can change though - especially given the council involvement.


Stephen

[FrankB]

...especially given the council involvement.

My first visit was about 20 years ago. Foolishly I hadn't checked opening times and had just assumed it would be open during every normal working day. I arrived outside to find the Room shut down for the winter. Somebody in the nearby Council Offices saw me and came out to ask if I had travelled far. On hearing that I had driven up from Lincolnshire that morning and was intending to go home a couple of days later he phoned a keyholder for me who opened up so that I could have an hour or so with the museum to myself.

Sterling - I can't add anything to the advice that others have already given. Enjoy your visit.

[Les Dalton]

Hi Sterling,
I lived a few miles away from Jimmy and met him several times at Charterhall, and when he used to visit a local farmers son, and the last time was at the 1967 German grands prix at the Nubergring.
I visited the Jim Clark ROOM as it was initially called in the Burgh Chambers in Duns about June 1969, and in those days the lovely lady looking after the room would let you take photographs, I have one somewhere, with the portrait of Jimmy behind me.
I shall endeavour to post the first page of the 1969 information brochure(however, I have still not mastered posting pictures on this site!!!)
Kind Regards,
Les Dalton.

[elansprint72]

I went last year and there happened to be a JC photo exhibition on across the road in a council building; I went over there and the "young mothers club" were using the room for their meeting, however they insisted that I went in and look at the photos.

[sterling49]

Posted on behalf of Les Dalton

[sterling49]

I have just returned from Duns, we chose a lovely week-end for the trip and I must say the Borders is absolutely stunning, when we arrived in Duns, if the new cars were changed for "period" models, it could have been 1964. We passed Jim's school on the road into Duns (Chirnside) and Jim's final place of rest. I spent more than a little time alone, composing my thoughts, a very mixed day. I noticed a signature in the visitors book, of a gentleman from Norwich, Norfolk, one John Miles, and still they come, long may it continue and be cherished. A very, very moving day.

[Coral]

Nice pictures Sterling. I'm glad you enjoyed the Borders...I agree it is a beautiful part of the world.

[elansprint72]

I'm sure that I've read somewhere that the JC room at Duns is closed/closing and the contents moving somewhere larger. Can anyone confirm the current situation?

 

My reason for asking is that we have booked an apartment next week at Edington Mill, Chirnside; which is literally next door to where JC lived at Edington Mains farm.

 

Unfortunately the other half has decreed that an Elan is not the correct mode of transport for this vacation.

[Glengavel]

There is a proposal for a move to bigger premises but it's a few years down the line. Maybe phone them (01361 883960) just in case!

[hipperson]

Yes I believe the move will be in 2018...but close to the current site

[elansprint72]

Thanks chaps; I'll visit and report back.

[Dick Dastardly]

I visited last year...May 2013.... when there were the celebrations commemorating JC's 1st WDC.....and the road by the museum was closed so a few Classic Loti could be run up and down   Surprised to see in the visitors book that Dario Franchitti had visited a few days earlier....I'd have thought he'd be at Indy [he hadn't retired from racing then].....but as we all know, he is a huge JC fan. 

[Mistron]

I think this was mentioned at the Club Lotus day last year.

 

The impression was that rather than closing due to cutbacks, the plan was to enlarge and improve the museum.

 

Good to see the council has it's priorities right in the constrained times they must be working under - can't have been easy to push this project against the backdrop of cuts, but I think someone mentioned there was 'external funding' behind it. Not sure if that was Lotus, enthusiasts / individuals in the motor trade or perhaps a wee chap in tartan trews?

 

Al

[David Lawson]

There is detailed information about the planned new museum on the Jim Clark Trust website.

 

David

[mfd]

I visited on the final day in November last year & the lady said there were plans to take over a school in Duns, once the new one had been built. There would be space to include cars & said Franchitti would be involved, mentioning that he bought as much memorabilia as he could off ebay to stop it disappearing to Japan

Edited by mfd, 01 September 2014 - 18:21.

[Mistron]

The new high school opened a year or two ago and the old one over the road (just outside of town as you come in from the Carfraemill direction) which I understand still has a swimming pool in it?

 

This School is only 1/2 a mile or so from the current room.

[mfd]

You could be right & I can't be certain but I seem to have the idea it was a smaller school, such as a primary but still close

[Nick Planas]

I. Must. Visit. Soon - it's on my list of things for next year

[elansprint72]

This does not look like a school, although it's only what we used to call an "artists' impression".

http://jimclarktrust...the-new-museum/

 

I went to the JC Room a couple of years ago and was directed across the street to a photo exhibition in what might have been the library, can't remember because the Mother and baby group was using the room but they insisted that I came in to see the exhibition!

[mfd]

I've e-mailed the Trust & it is indeed an artist's impression. The destination isn't decided yet, until a feasibility study etc. is carried out but the school suggested to me as a possible is the old High school

[DogEarred]

Just a very few months ago, at RTH's excellent Jim Clark film show, a gent, I believe, by the name of Andrew Tulloch (Assistant Curator, Scottish Borders Council Museum and Gallery Service), was good enough to come all the way down from Scotland to give those present the good but unconfirmed news that the Room will be incorporated into a bigger & better memorial in the area. Hopefully it will all eventually go ahead, even though the current, low key, memorials are somehow in keeping with the man as known/described to us.

 

Whilst working in Scotland, many years ago, I bowled up in the middle of winter, not aware it was closed for the season, so I still owe the place a visit. 

 

I found his graveside a complete dichotomy . Looking one way, there was the old church & rolling countryside - very moving & fitting. Looking the other way, over a wall into peoples' back gardens & kitchen windows.

[elansprint72]

Talking to the lady in charge during my visit this week, she said the school was a possible site but they have some land at the side and back of the present building, which could be built on, giving room for maybe five cars, along with an expanded collection of trophies, etc.

 

The Edington Mains house looks pretty much the same as it did in the old Elan advert but the working farm buildings have grown considerably. We stayed at Edington Mill, just further down the farm lane; a lovely peaceful place.

[Mistron]

I hope Edington Mill is more salubrious to stay in than it was when I visited it whilst being built.

 

I was in to do an H&S inspection and had to suggest that there should perhaps be a door on the toilet, maybe even some walls round it from which to hang said door? That way you could use the loo with some degree of privacy from those using the office / cabin area to eat their lunch and in which it sat! Lovely!

 

They're hardy folks in the Borders. :-)

 

Al

[elansprint72]

I hope Edington Mill is more salubrious to stay in than it was when I visited it whilst being built.

 

I was in to do an H&S inspection and had to suggest that there should perhaps be a door on the toilet, maybe even some walls round it from which to hang said door? That way you could use the loo with some degree of privacy from those using the office / cabin area to eat their lunch and in which it sat! Lovely!

 

They're hardy folks in the Borders. :-)

 

Al

"Built in the mid 19th century..." I know that some of us here are getting on a bit but... 

 

The conversion seems reasonably good, although the "tower-block" to the rear is an eye-sore; however, looking at the photo here:

 

http://www.scotlands...ton-mill/rcahms

 

one can see that a high-rise brownfield precedent had been set.

 

Some of the apartments seem to be available on a very short-stay basis, making them an ideal base to see JC's home turf.

[Mistron]

Ha ha, yes, perhaps I should have said I was there when it was being refurbished in about 2009

 

Al

[Vitesse2]

Local TV magazine programme from Border TV with a feature on the Jim Clark Room and the expansion plans. Some interior and exterior footage of the building and a good compilation of period newsreels and still photos. Well-chosen soundtrack too.

 

http://www.itv.com/n...ch-border-life/

[Mistron]

Jim Clark weekend today and tommorrow, wih the main runs tommorrow

 

Team Lotus in attendance along with CTL

 

Al

[mariner]

My wife and I went up to Duns at the weekend fom London and it wasa fabulous day, even the weather co-operated.

 

The Border TV coverage is here  http://www.itv.com/n...ring-jim-clark/

 

I had never seen , or heard the H-16BRM  engined 43 run so that was treat and both Sir Jackie Stewart and Alan Mcneish dove Jim's lotus 25's up and down the road outside the museum.

 

The town being in such a huge farming area there was also a parade of giant , and I mean giant, tractors. Somehow I think that might have been Jim Clark's favourite bit!

 

A big "thank you" to Doug Niven, the people who brought the cars. Club Lotus and all the trust members and supporters for putting on such a good day.

Edited by mariner, 18 May 2015 - 08:42.

[JtP2]

Amazingly good weather considering there was 40mph warning signs for rain on the motorway when we left the house.

[john aston]

Damn and blast; went for a long run in the Caterham yesterday and nearly went to Duns but decided on Yorkshire Air Museum instead- via the Wolds. Bad decision . 

[Dipster]

I hope Edington Mill is more salubrious to stay in than it was when I visited it whilst being built.

 

I was in to do an H&S inspection and had to suggest that there should perhaps be a door on the toilet, maybe even some walls round it from which to hang said door? That way you could use the loo with some degree of privacy from those using the office / cabin area to eat their lunch and in which it sat! Lovely!

 

They're hardy folks in the Borders. :-)

 

Al

Up until quite recently I used to visit The Gambia regularly for my work. I was lodged in what I was assured was the best and most expensive hotel/resort in Banjul. It looked wonderful. Amazingly in addition to the vast ensuite (loo equipped) bathroom there was a further loo in the corner of the suite. Quite open to view. Not even a curtain around it. Nothing!

 

There were so many things that I found odd in addition to awful service that at that place (and I tend to be vocal....) that I was eventually made PNG in the hotel!

 

So perhaps the hotel expected lots of Borders visitors.....

[Cynic2]

For those in the United States there is a very large Jim Clark room (rooms, actually) in a private collection in South Carolina.  It occupies two rooms, each the size of a good-sized garage, completely full of items and memorabilia with a direct collection to Clark.  (I know that Dario Franchitti has visited and was amazed at the content and scope of the collection.)

 

Unfortunately it is not normally open to the pubic.

[bradbury west]

I was chatting to one of Jim Clark's oldest friends, a nearby farmer, about 6 weeks ago and he told me about the Duns Room Weekend. I believe he is a Trustee. He was concerned that JYS might not be able to attend, apart for the obvious reasons, but particularly because the weekend marked the 50th  anniversary of JYS' first F1 win at the Silverstone International race on 15.5.65.

He spoke most  eloquently about Dario Franchitti's affection for Jim Clark, and mentioned that after his guest/star appearance at the Revival a couple of years back, Dan Gurney visited Duns on a private visit. Those who saw the recent Jim Clark legend TV film will know in no uncertain terms just how strongly Dan Gurney regarded JC and my contact said it was abundantly clear on his visit . He considers meeting DSG as one of the highlights of his life.

Roger Lund

[Garsted]

Extracted from a longer piece in today's Times On Line:

 

Motor racing fans around the world are being urged to help a final push towards setting up a museum in honour of Scotland’s Grand Prix hero Jim Clark. Permission was granted for the museum three years ago and grants have been promised but the trustees now need to raise a final £300,000 in the next 50 days to get the project started.

The plans have been made possible with the help of Scottish Borders council’s commitment of £620,000 funding towards the building design and infrastructure and £645,000 support from the Heritage Lottery Fund. 

The Jim Clark Trust have an appeal at  www.crowdfunder.co.uk/jim-clark-museum

 

Steve

[Pullman99]

Extracted from a longer piece in today's Times On Line:

 

Motor racing fans around the world are being urged to help a final push towards setting up a museum in honour of Scotland’s Grand Prix hero Jim Clark. Permission was granted for the museum three years ago and grants have been promised but the trustees now need to raise a final £300,000 in the next 50 days to get the project started.

The plans have been made possible with the help of Scottish Borders council’s commitment of £620,000 funding towards the building design and infrastructure and £645,000 support from the Heritage Lottery Fund. 

The Jim Clark Trust have an appeal at  www.crowdfunder.co.uk/jim-clark-museum

 

Steve

 

Good news, albeit at the last minute, is that headlines in various publications this week such as Classic Car Weekly, the Jim Clark Trust have reached their target that closes today, Friday 21st April.   The Trust's crowdfunding page is attached for anyone requiring more details.

 

http://www.crowdfund...im-clark-museum

 

Hopefully this will result in the fulfillment of the Trust's aims and provide for the most secure future that will allow the allow Jim Clark's story and achievements to reach an ever wider audience in an appropriate and enthralling new exhibition.

[Glengavel]

More progress on the new museum, or at least the funding:

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk...otland-41332348

[Lotus53B]

Not much more I can say beyond the title, but the wee exhibition in Duns now has the money to become a proper museum.

 

I'll definitely reprise my cycle from Berwick when it opens.