David Hume Philosophy Festival on Saturday, 30th April 2011

A very warm sunny day for this event held in Chirnside, Berwickshire.

A man dressed in period costume, looking quite like some portraits of David Hume, greeted visitors and directed traffic.

Unfortunately I missed Fiona Houston's talk on Life in Georgian Chirnside, due to very slow traffic in front of me, all the way from Greenlaw. Fiona was dressed in period costume.

However, there were samples of Georgian gingerbread, macaroons, jumbles, and cake and they were very tasty.

There was an interesting presentation with animated slides about the life of David Hume and his works - many of his observations upon life seem very appropriate today - there were bank failures and political shenaningans in his day too.

David Hume, the chief executive of Scottish Borders Council, gave a speech about his namesake, David Hume, and unveiled the plaque on the wall of the old church, now the community centre.

Inside the community centre, as well as the Georgian food, there were 5 display stands, and a table with some interesting letters of the period, and some other documents including David Hume's family tree and a legal case involving David Hume's father, Joseph.

The stands were:

1. Introduction to David Hume

2. Life and Works of David Hume
3. David Hume's Legacy

4. David Hume's Family

5. Chirnside in the 1700s

There were lots more events in the programme, however, I didn't stay for them.

For more details of the programme, see Ronald Morrison's blog on the David Hume Philosophy Festival.

Gravestones Inscriptions Recording at Manor, Edrom, and Lilliesleaf

Morag and Ian Carter Recording Stones at Jedburgh Abbey

Like last year, we will be holding open weekends to record gravestone inscriptions/monumental inscriptions in cemeteries and churchyards.

The events planned for this year are:

Saturday 21st May and Sunday 22nd May at Manor Kirkyard, Kirkton Manor, Peeblesshire, EH45 9JH;

Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th June at Edrom, Berwickshire, TD11 3PX; and

Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th August at Lilliesleaf, Roxburghshire, TD6 9JD.



In each case, we will probably work from 10am to 4pm on the Saturday, and 1pm to 4pm on the Sunday.

Even if you have not been involved in transcribing stones before, do consider joining us, as training can be given. Everybody who took part last year thoroughly enjoyed themselves. You’ll need a notebook and a pencil and also it can be helpful if you have a soft brush, chalk, water spray and a kneeling mat. Most people coming for the whole day bring along a picnic, and a bottle of water; deciphering faded and weathered inscriptions can be thirsty work.

If you want to come but don’t have transport, we may be able to arrange a lift.
If you would like to take part in any of the events on one or both days, even for a few hours on either day, please contact our organiser, Ronald Morrison either on 01361 882166, or via our Contacts page, using the contact type Gravestone Recording. This will allow us to coordinate the work, confirm to you more precisely what is involved and advise in the event of any change in the arrangements.

Bygone Borderlands - Family and Local History Weekend

Bygone Borderlands - Family and Local History Weekend will take place on Saturday 14th May (10am to 4pm) and Sunday 15th May (11am to 4pm)  at The Guildhall, Berwick Upon Tweed, England, TD15 1BN.


This is a free event for anyone interested in finding out more about their family history and the local area. Several local history societies will be putting on displays about their village or town and there will be volunteers available to assist with family history queries. There will also be bookstalls and talks on the subjects.

Don’t think this event is just for adults ! Activities for children are also planned !

The last time a similar event was held a record number of visitors attended. Please don’t miss this great opportunity!

Borders Family History Society will be there, though if there's anything you especially want to see, please contact Mary Thomson on our Contacts page using the contact type Order for Publications.
For further information contact Linda Bankier, Archivist, Berwick Record Office