Joanna Lumley left heartbroken as Peter Pan's Scottish 'home' faces closure due to mounting running costs and dwindling visitors Actress is a patron of a trust which helped save Georgian Mansion Moat Brae Peter Pan author JM Barrie spent his summers at the property when he was a teenager The building opened as a reading hub in 2019 but has been forced to close its doors due to high running costs Click here to visit the Scotland home page for the latest news and sport By Paula Murray Published: 15:51 EDT, 13 August 2024 | Updated: 15:53 EDT, 13 August 2024 e-mail View comments She has championed the former Scottish home of Peter Pan author JM Barrie as monument to children’s literature. Now Absolutely Fabulous star Dame Joanna Lumley has said she is ‘heartbroken’ the Dumfries mansion which spawned the famous character is facing imminent closure. The actress is a patron of a trust which helped save Moat Brae and turn it into a hub for reading.
And she has said the building ‘deserves’ to be kept going for ‘historical reasons’ despite the issues faced by the Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust (PPMBT). The Georgian mansion, where the author spent his summers as a teenager, was at risk of demolition until the trust stepped in. Joanna Lumley unveiled a statue of Peter Pan in Dumfries, which inspired JM Barrie to write Peter Pan Moat Brae, where author JM Barrie spent his summer holidays as a teenager Following a 10-year fundraising drive, the PPMBT opened the doors of the fully revamped Peter Pan house to the public in 2019.
But the attraction was hit by Covid closures, increased running costs and falling visitor numbers leaving it struggling with continued losses. And last week the trust announced it was closing the centre’s doors on August 23 for good. Ms Lumley, who has been a frequent visitor to Dumfries, told the BBC: ‘I am heartbroken that Moat Brae has had to close its doors.
Read More No fairytale ending as Peter Pan House in Dumfries closes despite support from stars including Joanna Lumley ‘Many people are trying to think of ways to keep this beautiful and important historical building open and filled with children. ‘Reading and learning about literature are the bedrock of education and provide essential escapism for people of all ages, but most especially for children, and I shall keep my fingers crossed that some solution will be found.’ She continued: ‘The place where Peter Pan was born should be celebrated and the name of JM Barrie kept alive.
‘I wait, like Mrs Darling at the nursery window, to see if love and life will return to Moat Brae.’ Ms Lumley lent her voice to many a fundraiser for the cause and drafted in other celebrities, Little Britain’s David Walliams and Game of Thrones star Kit Harington among them, to boost the coffers. But despite their valiant efforts the PPMBT put its hands up after an ‘extended period’ of losses.
Click here to visit the Scotland home page for the latest news and sport Advertisement Interim chairman, Graham Edwards, made the closure announcement saying a ‘significant leap’ in the running costs and a ‘significant drop’ in footfall left them with no options but to pull the plug. He added: ‘Every possible effort and option have been explored by the trustees and staff of the PPMBT. Therefore, it is with deep sadness that we announce the end of operations.
’ He thanked the staff, volunteers, members and supporters for their ‘commitment in bringing the magic of books and storytelling to life’ and concluded: ‘The trust’s purpose was to spark young imaginations and encourage creativity. We hope this is the legacy we leave behind.’ Moat Brae has been dubbed the ‘true home of Neverland’ with Barrie roaming the gardens as a child looking for fairies and planning pirate attacks on boats on the River Nith.
The author made a reference to the property later in life saying: ‘For our escapades in a certain Dumfries garden, which is enchanted land to me, were certainly the genesis of that nefarious work.’ JM Barrie paid a visit to Dumfries in later life, having become a world famous author The building was saved from demolition around 2009 and an £8million fundraiser saw it turned into a children’s literacy centre. When the Peter Pan house five years ago, Ms Lumley said: ‘Moat Brae proves that dreams really can come true.
‘Children and young people now have a place that’s dedicated not just to Peter Pan, but to the love of all children’s stories. 'They can come here to play, daydream and build their creative imaginations, just like JM Barrie did.’ The centre was home to the original ‘Tinker Bell’ - a small bell Barrie had bought to be rung when the fairy character appeared on stage in the original production of the story.
The trust had hoped for more than 30,000 visitors annually, saying it had the potential to boost the local economy to the tune of £1.3million a year. But it was hit by the Covid pandemic followed by the cost of living crisis draining its reserves Joanna Lumley Share or comment on this article: Joanna Lumley left heartbroken as Peter Pan's Scottish 'home' faces closure due to mounting running costs and dwindling visitors e-mail Add comment.
