The Juniper Green 300 Exhibition
2nd-9th June 2007
by Julie Watt

Leslie Hannaford's exhibition sign encouraged people into the JG300 Exhibition

Baillie Alastair Paisley opening the JG300 Exhibition at 11am on June 2nd in St Margaret's Court

Fifty or more people attended the opening by Baillie Alastair Paisley of the Juniper Green 300 Exhibition at St Margaret's Court on Saturday the 2nd of June.

He praised the organisers and those who had given their time, expertise and mementos to illustrate the history of Juniper Green in a graphic, informative and colourful display.

The extraordinarily high professional standard of the exhibition was thanks, in part, to the generosity of The Exhibition Company (see more details about the company who are one of our gold sponsors by clicking on their link elsewhere on this website). The success of the exhibition was also due in no small measure to the research and artistic flair of the organising sub-committee (Wendy Geary, Val Hawkins and Julie Watt).

Some of the displays on view at the JG300 Exhibition

The JG300 Exhibition had the story of junipers too

The overall effect won numerous enthusiastic compliments from visitors who felt such a vivid presentation of our history would have done credit to any museum.

Displays illustrated the prehistory and history of Juniper Green from its geology (thanks to John Mendum) and through the Bronze Age (thanks to Liz Beevers).

Early visitors to the JG300 Exhibition browsing the displays

People studying the exhibition information

Cliff Beevers outside St Margaret's Court selling commemorative calendars and the book on the history of the village with Jim Adam and Irene Thomson in attendance

The JG300 Exhibition went on to cover the last three hundred years in detail, tracing village life through long established local families (thanks to Muriel and Jim Adam). There was activity outside the exhibition too where commemorative calendars and the book on the history of the village were on sale.

The boards and displays explained the history of the schools, churches and historic houses (thanks to Richard Watt); jobs in mills, quarries and on farms (thanks to Neil Ingram); clubs, pubs (thanks to Cliff Beevers) and leisure activities.

An example of the high standard of professional exhibition boards and display cases on show at the JG300 Exhibition

St Margaret's Court provided a superb venue for the JG300 Exhibition

The experience of two world wars was also captured on the boards and in display cabinets; notable inhabitants and visitors past and present and, in general, everything that has contributed to making Juniper Green the dynamic community that it is today.

Mary Simpson beside the Juniper Green Players picture of herself and other local thespians

Some of the contributors came around the exhibition and found themselves posing beside their exhibits.

Nan Aitken, Charlotte Dea and Jean Jones (nee Howitt) pose for their picture when they visited the exhibition

There were meetings of old school friends during the week too, some of whom had traveled many miles to be present at the exhibition. For example, Jean Jones (nee Howitt) came from Stratford-upon-Avon accompanied by her daughter Judith Hawke who had journeyed from Cornwall. They brought with them the account book of Jean's father Mr Howitt who had been the village's joiner and undertaker before the Second World War and fascinating reading it made.

Sheila Wilson, Jean Jones and Betty Noble meet up at the JG300 Exhibition

And, many old friends met up again at the exhibition site at St Margaret's Court with many complimenting the Hanover Trust owners for keeping the hall in such good repair.

The JG300 Exhibition continued all through gala week and drew crowds in excess of 600 people in total.

During gala week some of the local schoolchildren had time to come along and study the displays for themselves.

Crowds at the JG300 Exhibition on gala day

Generations mix at the JG300 Exhibition

Della Purves makes the draw for the orchid and peony prints

On the final day of the exhibition, gala day itself, local artist Della Purves made the draw for two of her famous flower prints.

The JG300 Exhibition was a huge success and the displays have been retained for use in the local libraries of Colinton and Currie later this year. It is hoped that when the new school has been built the boards can find a permanent home in a community room there.