JOIN THE FRIENDS!

The Friends of Hugh Miller is a registered charity (SC 037351), which was founded in April 2006, to build more public support and understanding for the life and work of Hugh MIller, and the Cromarty museum dedicated to him. It has well over 100 members. It has raised £10,000 from the Awards For All scheme towards the £70,000 cost of the new garden behind the museum, Miller's Yard, due to open this year. And this Spring it will be be holding a major conference for geologists. Read about progress with building the Yard, and details of the conference in the newsletter below.

If you would like to become a member of the Friends, please scroll the bottom of this page, hwere you will find our Constitution, and forms for joining the organisation.

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Hugh's News

Issue No 4, Winter 2007

A MERRY CHRISTMAS

AND

A HAPPY NEW YEAR

TO ALL OUR MEMBERS

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STOP PRESS:

1.MILLER’S YARD WORK HAS BEGUN - AT LAST!

2. MAJOR GEOLOGY CONFERENCE NEXT SPRING

Please note: The second annual meeting of The Friends takes place at 6.00 pm on April 12^th 2008, at the Victoria Hall, Cromarty. The meeting will include a public lecture at 6.45pm by Dr Ralph O’Connor, of Aberdeen University, on the theme ‘Science versus religion? Faith, Fossils and Hugh Miller’. Please let the Secretary, Martin Gostwick, whether you will be able to attend, 01381 600245 or mgostwick@nts.org.uk.

THE YARD OF WONDERS IS

ON GO!!!

EIGHTEEN months on from the presentation of its original design by the National Trust for Scotland’s Gardens Department, work on Miller’s Yard is finally up and running.

The trials and tribulations which had to be surmounted to reach this point would fill a book in themselves, but since the difficulties have been overcome, let’s get straight to the here and now.

Already, Inverness-based stonemason/builder Donnie McKenzie, has repointed the garden’s red sandstone side and rear walls in matching lime mortar, and one of Britain’s leading letter-carvers, Charles Smith of Great Ouseburn, Yorkshire, has inscribed two magnificent wall plaques.

Charles, who came recommended by the Trust’s then Director of Conservation Peter Burman, took immediately to Hugh Miller like a long-lost brother, and his delightful, informal free-hand lettering both complements and contrasts with Miller’s classical formality.

The plaques are in Clashach sandstone from the quarry of that name above the shore north of Elgin, which is famous both for reptile footprints and the quality of stone, varying from the palest honey to a deep bronze. Each plaque is over 500mm wide by 300mm high, and fitted into the rear wall.

At the end of December, a works team of three from Kishorn Specialist Contractors came on site, and immediately erected a sheetmetal awning which is enabling them to work through the worst weather.

This is a Year of Highland Culture 2007 capital project, to which Highland 2007 funders granted £22,000, and we thank them and the other funders for agreeing to an extension until the end of February 2008 to complete it.

The Friends would also like publicly to thank our colleagues and nieghbours, the Trustees of the Cromarty Courthouse Museum for kindly providing access across their ground to the site.

CAPSULE PRESENTED

RED socks, a school badge, a cookbook, a red hat – and a nit comb! - all feature among articles in a time capsule which Cromarty Primary School has just presented to the Museum (Fri Nov 3) for interment in Miller’s Yard..

Two dozen senior pupils, representing all 73 on the school roll, came along to the museum with the capsule to mark the beginning of works on a new garden there.

The capsule, a plastic waterproof cylinder, also contains a photograph of all the pupils, a school newsletter, dinner menu, and numerous other items.

It was handed over by pupil Frances Cuthill, 10, to the museum’s manager, Martin Gostwick, in a ceremony which was also attended by Year of Highland Culture 2007 representative Torquil Macleod. Highland 2007 made a capital grant of £22,000 toward the £70,000 estimated costs of the project.

Cromarty Primary School head teacher Miss Ann Rose said: “This was a homework exercise for all the pupils, which they enjoyed, and the items chosen reflect their ideas. Some found it challenging, which is what we are aiming to do – challenge the children. I am sure they are proud to have contributed some of their own and their school’s history to this venture.”

Manager Martin Gostwick, said: “This capsule will be there for the children, and their children to rediscover in 10, 30, or 50 years time. A great marker for the future.”

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HALLOWE’EN’s SCARY PLEASURES

The museum was extremely pleased to welcome back the Inverness-based Timemasters Theatre Group to perform a “Living History” for guisers at the Birthplace Cottage on Hallowe’en night.

All the children of Cromarty, via the Primary School, were invited free of charge, and some 60 or so saw the show, over four consecutive performances.

In candelight, and a reek of peat smoke, Hugh Allison performed his namesake’s spookiest stories from his chair by the fire, aided by mother Harriet (Morna Anderson) and his great granda, the bucanner John Feddes (Duncan Cook).

Timemasters in 2005 performed a 30-minute playlet, A Meeting with Monsieur Agassiz, in the parlour of Miller House, featuring a fictional call on the Miller family, with the famed Monsieur and his companion, Lady Eliza Maria Gordon Cumming of Altyre.

SCHOOLS VISITS

IT is impossible to over-emphasize the importance of schools visits for the future of all museums, and ours was delighted to receive no less than three parties this autumn.

In October, some 20 students of all ages from various schools in the Siberian city of Perm, the guests of Fortrose Academy, came calling. They were celebrating their connection with Black Isle-born pioneer geologist Sir Roderick Murchison, who named the Permian Age for that region, and learning of Murchison’s close links with Miller.

Some 50 S3/4 scholars from academies all round the Cromarty Firth took part in a second GeoScience Day (Nov 1), organized by the oil company Total. While these are mainly recruitment initiatives the event takes place because of our presence and do include a flying visit with quiz to Miller House.

Some 32 enior biology students from Fortrose Academy took part in a significant visit (Nov 22) organized by teacher Alastair Laidlaw, looking at aspects of earth and marine sciences. They got an on-the-spot teach-in from one of our patrons, geology professor Nigel Trewin, and completed quizzes covering all key aspects of Miller’s life and work. it is hoped we can build more sustained contact with the academy from this successful venture.

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And now for the announcement of that all-important conference.

Hugh Miller: Local Hero

A celebration of Hugh Miller, Geologist.

A ‘Local Hero’ event celebrating the Bicentenary of the Geological Society of London.

Victoria Hall, Cromarty, 12-13 April 2008

Convenors.

Martin Gostwick (NTS) and Nigel Trewin (Aberdeen University)

The meeting is organised in conjunction with the National Trust for Scotland, and the ‘Friends of Hugh Miller’. The celebration is being held in Hugh Miller’s home town of Cromarty on the Black Isle. A selection of talks will highlight Hugh Miller’s historic contributions to geological science, exemplified by ‘The Old Red Sandstone’, and ‘Testimony of the Rocks’. Delegates will be able to view Hugh Miller’s Cottage and the displays in Miller House (National Trust for Scotland). Specimens from the Miller Collection held by the National Museums Scotland and Inverness Museum and Art Gallery will also be displayed. A field excursion will visit some of the classic geological localities described by Hugh Miller ranging from Old Red Sandstone fish beds to glacial features, and will also note features associated with the social heritage of Hugh Miller.

Hugh Miller, Local Hero. Meeting Timetable

Saturday 12 April.

10.15 Coffee and biscuits

10.45 Welcome to Cromarty and the Hugh Miller Museum . Martin Gostwick.

11.00 Dr Lester Borley, CBE.

‘Hugh Miller as a natural historian in the 19thC’.

11.15 Dr Mike Taylor. National Museums Scotland.

‘Hugh Miller’s collections through the years.’

12.00 – 14.00 Bar Lunch, Cromarty Arms Hotel, and opportunity to visit Miller House and Cottage

14.00 Dr Lyall Anderson. Cambridge University.

‘A cast of thousands: Hugh Miller’s shelly fossils.’

14.45 Professor Nigel Trewin. Aberdeen University.

‘Hugh Miller’s fossil fish studies.’

15.30 – 17.00. Opportunity to view exhibits of Hugh Miller’s geological specimens and artefacts from the collections of the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, and the Hugh Miller Museum and Birthplace Cottage.

18.00 AGM of the ‘Friends of Hugh Miller’ (Open to all members of ‘The Friends of Hugh Miller’)

18.45 Public Lecture

Dr Ralph O’Connor. Aberdeen University.

‘Science versus religion? Faith, Fossils and Hugh Miller’.

Sunday 13 April

Field Excursion. 09.00 to 17.00 approx.

AM. Cromarty, following the Hugh Miller heritage trail, arriving at the Cromarty Fish Bed where Miller collected much material in the late morning.

PM. Visit to the Rosemarkie area to visit localities associated with Hugh Miller, and see evidence of the Great Glen Fault, and Quaternary landscape features.

HUGH MILLER: LOCAL HERO

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORM

CROMARTY

APRIL 12-13^TH, 2008

Name.................................................................. Address.............................................................................................

................................................................................................... Postcode...................

Telephone: Day........................

Evening..................................

The conference registration fee is £25: Please pay by cheque as we do not have a credit/debit card payment facility.

The fee includes:

1. Morning and afternoon coffee/tea.

2. Free entrance to Hugh Miller Museum on both days.

3. Free entrance to public lecture at the Friends of Hugh Miller annual meeting by Dr Ralph O’Connor on “Science versus religion? Faith, fossils and Hugh Miller”

4. Two Sunday field excursions: AM to Cromarty fossil fish deposits, PM to Rosemarkie localities associated with Miller etc. Please indicate whether you wish to take part in either or both of these excursions, with a tick AM....PM......

(Indicate if you will require transport from Cromarty to Rosemarkie for the afternoon excursion by putting a tick here.......................................

Pub lunches (soup and sandwiches) are available on both days at the Cromarty Arms Inn, opposite the museum, in Church Street, Cromarty, at £5 a head, payable at the pub. Indicate whether you wish to have lunch at the pub on either or both days by putting a tick against Sat............... and/or Sun................................

Please book early to facilitate arrangements, and make cheque for £25 payable to The Friends of Hugh Miller. Address: Hugh Miller Museum, Church Street, Cromarty IV11 8XA. For more information: Phone: 01381 600245. Email: mgostwick@nts.org.uk , or visit http://www.hughmiller.org/.

Information about local accommodation can also be obtained at the above number.

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HOW TO JJOIN THE FRIENDS - AND WHY!

Dear Sir/Madam

“FRIENDS OF HUGH MILLER” FOUNDATION INVITATION

I have pleasure in inviting you to consider subscribing to a charity, named The Friends of Hugh Miller, to support the Hugh Miller Museum & Birthplace Cottage.

The Friends’ annual subscription has been set at £10 per person. We have an initial target of 100 members, contributing a revenue stream of £1,000 pa to the museum’s budget. We will also seek donations from time to time in aid of specific projects. Among the exciting projects which may be the subject of future appeals are: A natural sciences-themed Garden at the rear of Miller House; re-publication of Miller’s geological masterwork, The Old Red Sandstone; temporary exhibitions, and “Living History” events in the museum buildings and grounds.

Subscribers will receive a Membership Card, a copy of the constitution, a periodical newsletter and an annual report. The organisation will be run by an NTS staff-based Management Committee, supported by three distinguished Patrons (see below).

I look forward to welcoming you as a Member of the Friends, a very worthwhile new venture which I am sure will generate significant benefits.

Yours sincerely

Martin Gostwick

Secretary

(See contact details below)

PS: Please make your cheques payable to “The Friends of Hugh Miller”, and, most importantly, include an email address, if you have one. Thank you.

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CONSTITUTION OF “THE FRIENDS OF HUGH MILLER”

1.0 NAME

The organisation shall be known as “The Friends of Hugh Miller”, hereafter referred to as “the Friends”, or “the organisation”, as appropriate.

2.0 AIMS

The objects of “the Friends” shall be to advance the education of the public concerning the name and work of Hugh Miller in the fields of Scottish science and literature, and to advance interest in Scotland’s heritage by supporting the Hugh Miller Museum and Birthplace Cottage, Church Street, Cromarty IV11 8XA, Ross & Cromarty, Scotland.

The subsidiary objectives of the organisation will therefore include:

1.1 Endeavouring to enrol and maintain a subscription membership whose role will be assist the custodians of the museum, namely the National Trust for Scotland, in pursuing the above aims.

1.2 Encouraging and assisting in attracting as many visitors to the Hugh Miller Museum as possible.

1.3 Furthering all the organisation’s aims by encouraging others to become Friends.

1.4 Fund-raising in support of the museum buildings, its aims and activities.

3.0 MEMBERSHIP & SUBSCRIPTIONS

Membership is open to all who wish to see the achievement of the organisation’s primary and subsidiary aims. The Friends as an organisation will encourage those who have not yet done so, to become members of the National Trust for Scotland.

There shall be a single membership category of Friends, with an annual subscription of £10. The Financial Year of the organisation will run from 1^st April to 31^st March of the following year. The first year begins from 1^st April 2006, and subscriptions will be renewable from the 1^st April of each following year, payable within 30 days, after which membership automatically lapses.

3.0 FINANCE

The funding of “the Friends” shall consist of the membership subscriptions, donations, and any funds raised for specific projects. A bank account will be opened in the name of “The Friends of Hugh Miller”, whose signatories shall be the Secretary and Treasurer. Accounts shall be kept by the Treasurer to show income and expenditure. The accounts will be presented to the Friends as part of an annual report, made at the end of each financial year.

4.0 STRUCTURE

The Friends will have three honorary patrons. The administration structure shall consist of a Management Committee of four members. The museum Property Manager will serve as Secretary, responsible for the overall administration of the Friends charity, and the NTS Highland and Islands Regional Finance Manager will serve as Treasurer, managing the accounts and presenting an annual financial report, as above, which will be independently audited by a qualified examiner.

4.1 NOMINATIONS & ELECTIONS. In the organisation’s first year, Friends will be asked to approve NTS nominations for the two non-staff Committee members. Thereafter, members will be invited to nominate two Friends to the Committee, the elected being those who have secured the highest number of nominations .

4.2 INFORMATION & MEETINGS.The Committee will issue a periodical newsletter reporting on the organisation’s activities, and an annual report, including financial report (as above). An annual meeting will be held in Cromarty, and a fee will be charged to those attending, in order to cover costs.

5.0 BENEFITS

The primary beneficiary will be the museum itself, through the generous support of the Friends. New subscribers shall be entitled to a membership card, and thereafter the periodical newsletter, and annual report referred to above. The annual meeting will provide an event of note promoting the focus on Miller and the museum. A Friends book will be kept on the premises containing a subscribers’ list, and record of donations, and other forms of support given.

6.0 REVIEWS

All aspects of the Friends’ constitution and administration shall be subject to review and change, on the initiative of the Management Committee, and/or on the basis of proposals from Friends placed before the annual meeting. Items of future consideration may include the subscription rate, meeting attendance charges and other financial factors. All suggestions made by Friends for the development of the property and for events and activities will be considered by the Committee.

6.1 DISSOLUTION. The Friends may be dissolved as an organisation in the event of a failure for whatever reason/s to sustain itself as an active body. A winding up would be effected by a Management Committee recommendation to the existing membership at the time, which recommendation would require acceptance by at least 50 per cent of those responding. Following wind-up, any remaining assets would pass to the National Trust for Scotland.

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BANKER’S ORDER

To The Manager

Bank name___________________________________________________________

Bank address__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

_________________________________Post Code____________________________

Please pay to The Royal Bank of Scotland, Inverness Chief Office, 29 Harbour Road, Inverness IV1 1NU (Sort Code 83-23-10) for the credit of Friends of Hugh Miller, Account No. 10285618, the sum of:

£__________ amount in words____________________________________________

Please note: The Friends annual subscription is £10, but if the member wishes to contribute above that sum, please state accordingly.

Annually, commencing on_01/04/08______________ until_________ or Until Further Notice.

Note: The next annual date is 1^st April 2008.

Please charge my Bank Account No________________________________________

Sort Code_____________________________________________________________

Signed_______________________________________________________________

Title ______________ First Name(s)_______________________________________

Surname______________________________________________________________

Address______________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

______________________________Post Code_______________________________

ONCE THIS FORM HAS BEEN COMPLETED PLEASE RETURN TO: MARTIN GOSTWICK AT HUGH MILLER MUSEUM, CHURCH STREET, CROMARTY IV11 8XA FOR ADMINISTRATION, AND NOT TO YOUR BANK.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUERIES REGARDING THE COMPLETION OF THIS FORM PLEASE CONTACT MR GOSTWICK ON 01381 600245 OR E-MAIL mgostwick@nts.org.uk

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GIFT AID FORM

TO: THE FRIENDS OF HUGH MILLER

I wish the charity registered as The Friends of Hugh Miller to treat as Gift Aid all donations, including subscriptions that I have made since 1^st July 2007, and all donations and subscriptions I make from the date of this declaration until I notify you otherwise.

Notes:

1. Since your declaration covers donations you may make in the future

+ Please notify The Friends if you change your name or address while the declaration is still in force.

+ You can cancel the declaration at any time by notifying the Friends – it will then not apply to donations you make after the date of cancellation or such later date as you specify.

2 You must pay an amount of income tax and/or capital gains tax at least equal to the tax the Friends reclaims on your donations in the tax year (28p for each £1 you give in the year).

3 If in the future your circumstances change and you no longer pay tax on your income and capital gains equal to the tax that the Friends reclaims, you can cancel your declaration.

4 If you pay tax at the higher rate you can claim further tax relief in your Self Assessment tax return.

5 If you are insure whether your donations qualify for Gift Aid tax relief ask your local tax office for leaflet IR113 Gift Aid, or ring/email the Friends treasurer, Mrs Sheona Leonard on 01463 732625; sleonard@nts.org.uk.

PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM TO MARTIN GOSTWICK, SECRETARY, THE FRIENDS OF HUGH MILLER, C/O HUGH MILLER MUSEUM, CHURCH STREET, CROMARTY IV11 8XA

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Download our Summer 2006 newsletter in .pdf form by clicking here