A fascinating talk on the life of Lieutenant-General Alexander Dirom of Mount Annan, will take place next Tuesday evening at Annan Old Parish Church, as part of a collection of autumn/winter talks hosted by Annan the History Town.
Kathleen Cronie, who is organising these events on behalf of the ATHT, tell us more:
“We feel honoured to be welcoming Margery Wilkins to present the second in our programme of talks, within the historic setting of Annan Old Parish Church. Lt-Gen Dirom lived an incredible life, leaving a powerful lasting legacy to the people of Annan. He is interred in an imposing mausoleum in the surrounding churchyard, and actually shared the cost with the Council for purchasing a quarter acre of the burial ground he, and nine members of his family, now rest in.”
Dirom, who was born in Banffshire in 1757, and his wife Magdalen, lived at a time of great change and brought better agriculture and new industries like quarrying to Annan, making it self-sufficient and able to export grain rather than import it. He had a distinguished military career, wrote reports that gained him Fellowship of the Royal Society, was an MP, friend and supporter of many like Burns, Carlyle and Telford for whom he did the surveying for new roads and bridges such as in Brydekirk, the village he designed.
Margery, who has written a book on the General’s life, was greatly inspired by his remarkable story:
“Back in 2004, when I was Chairman of the Friends of the Museum, we were concerned about the state of the mausoleum (in Annan Old Parish Churchyard) and I began researching the people who were in it. I realised that Lt-General Alexander Dirom and his wife had been so important in bringing prosperity to Annan, in terms of better agricultural methods, schools, roads, a bank and a model village at Brydekirk, that they must have been the greatest benefactors in our history.”
Margery goes on to say:
Dirom had a distinguished military career and was an MP, so he knew, and invited to Mount Annan, many of the most influential people of his day, as well as helping people like Telford to further their careers. He spoke Persian, wrote many works, even poetry, was a Fellow of the Royal Societies in London and Edinburgh, and was painted by Raeburn. He deserved to be better remembered!”
Margery’s talk follows on from a successful opening night, when over 35 guests attended a lively and informative presentation by Council Archaeologist, Andrew Nicholson. Andrew’s encyclopedic knowledge and animated delivery went down a hit. An expert of some renown, Andrew was the only archaeologist immediately available to excavate the Galloway Hoard in 2014.
Kathleen said:
“We’re delighted with the response to Andrew’s talk; guests were completely absorbed as he transported us back in time to the earliest beginnings of Annandale, presented in his own inimitable style, and we extend our warmest thanks to Andrew for supporting the 2022/23 programme. We look forward to welcoming guests to Margery’s talk on Tuesday and will be confirming more speakers and dates very soon – watch this space!”
- Event Details – Tuesday 15th November at 7:30pm at Annan Old Parish Church
- Free Event – Suggested Donation £3
- Copies of Margery’s book will be available on the night and also at Annan Museum
