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William Miller - The Laureate of the Nursery
Sat June 11th 2005
The Glasgow group met last Saturday for their second social get-together this year, a guided walk round the imposing ‘City of the Dead’ with architect, Kate Dugan. The Necropolis graveyard is one of Glasgow’s extraordinary landmarks from which you have stunning views over a ravine to the Cathedral and medieval heart of the Merchant City. Modelled on the Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris, it contains family vaults the size of small houses designed by Glasgow’s finest architects, sculptors and stone masons. The energetic activities of the body snatchers during the nineteenth century had made it advisable to lock up your loved ones’ cadavers in well barred and bolted monuments lest they be transported away and sold to the medics for research.
As we progressed over the Bridge of Sighs from the land of the living to the city of the dead, it was hot enough for one of our illustrious members to be seen sporting a daring sunshade the like of which no self-respecting Victorian lady would have been seen dead carrying - even unto the grave I suspect. Sadly, since this goes to press imminently, charming snapshots of this wonderful item will have to be omitted.
The excursion fed the creative flame of our collective minds and will emerge later under many guises and in – let’s hope – published form. We rounded up a pleasant morning with a reflective tribute to William Miller, the carpenter/joiner who originated the classic song, Wee Willie Winkie. His modest memorial is at the foot of the rocky crag and is in sad need of repair, like much of the site.
Other social meetings have been happening since the last newsletter. Our ‘soiree’ in Fife was hosted by Jane Yolen in whose lovely home we were plied with cake, gossiped about our work and looked at each others’ portfolios. Some useful connections were made and advice shared.
The Edinburgh group also met over lunch for the first time. The Filmhouse kindly kept an area free in the café for our use; anyone attending the Edinburgh Book Festival would find it a useful alternative venue with a good vegetarian option and great selection of movies. Future ideas were discussed and the next get-together will celebrate children’s poetry.