Penpont and the Joseph Thomson Project
Penpont is a small but thriving village in the beautiful area of mid-Nithsdale in Dumfries and Galloway, in South West Scotland. Unusually for a place of its size, it still has its church and primary school, a post office and a general store, a pub and a tea room, a service garage, a bus service and an active Community Council.
It also has a rich and generally well-recorded history, which includes its main claim to fame as the birthplace of the remarkable African explorer, Joseph Thomson.
THE PENPONT VILLAGE HISTORY PROJECT
At a public meeting it was decided to make the house where Joseph Thomson was born a centre for village history and to build on the fund of photographs, films and records already available to the public and compile a Penpont village archive, easily accessible to all. The extraordinary life and achievements of Joseph Thomson could also be commemorated. This was to be no static and unchanging museum but an active resource, enhancing the life of Penpont.
The house, which had become vacant on the death of its tenant of 60 years, Mrs Carson, survives much as it did in Thomsons day and includes the armoury of the Penpont village militia at the turn of the century.
To bring this about the Joseph Thomson Project Steering Group was set up by the Community Council and has been active ever since.
PROGRESS TO DATE
So far, the Joseph Thomson Project has -
· obtained grants so that professional Feasibility and Implementation Reports could be commissioned to make sure that the project was realistic and to help obtain further grants for the conversion work
· secured a 25 year lease for the house from the owners, the Buccleuch Estates
· had the house rescheduled to Grade 2 listing to safeguard its future and to attract grants for its restoration and conversion.
· obtained Planning Approval for the new use of the house and for an extension which would not spoil its character or intrude upon the neighbours
· become a registered charity
· held exhibitions and other events, including quizzes and talks, to publicise the
· project, to encourage support and raise money
Exhibition in Penpont Primary School
· obtained grants to cover the costs of these events and to acquire the necessary equipment (computer, printer, slide projector, display boards, etc)
· researched local history and genealogy of Thomson and other local families
· produced regular newsletters, mainly for supporters of the project who live outside the area
· prepared, with the help of a local surveyor, a fully costed estimate of the work on the house, so that lottery and other grants may be sought
WHAT NEXT?
A business plan is being drawn up to support the Grant applications. So is an education plan, as educational aspects of the Joseph Thomson Project are seen as a key part of its value.
This preparation work has shown how important it is that we can get as much support as possible - particularly from those with the relevant skills and expertise, either to help in the setting up or to help in the running later.