Brechiners will be aware of the past history of the Old Town House – from Chinese restaurant, clothes shop,
redundant building offered for lease to Ribbon revival, a company that refilled ink cartridges, I am now
overjoyed to be able to report that the only revival of any importance was clearly evident at the opening of the
joint exhibition of David Waterson’s works last Friday evening – long may this building be used for such
gatherings to encourage and promote Brechin’s history, heritage, arts and architecture etc and I am looking forward to local artist David Adam’s forthcoming talk on this current exhibition.
Friday evening can best be described as Biblical in proportion, from the time the rain storms abated allowing
the brass ensemble from Brechin City Band to “blast off” with “Blue Moon – you saw me standing alone” the
magic of their collective sound drew vast crowds, no longer alone, that later saw Ms G, from a certain Brechin
firm, thrill us all with an impromptu jig – caught on camera!
Staff from Angus Council and members of the David Waterson Trust, with a little help from our friend
Marshall, poured the wine and walked around with salvers of tasty nibbles for the 90 strong crowd who had
gathered but it was another feast that awaited, described by Dr Ian Fallows when opening the exhibition, “I
simply say to you all, let us enjoy once more this feast of art put before us, and can we all remember with
gratitude the work of David Waterson.”
Earlier John Johnston of Angus Council invited Dr Ian Fallows to open the exhibition and having met
Dr Fallows on a couple of occasions I was very much looking forward to hearing his distinct Yorkshire accent
that reminded me of the two years I lived in Yorkshire and of the friendliness of the people – we were not to
be disappointed.Dr Fallows told us of the close association of the Taggarts and the Watersons and how they
met “They shared a lot of interests, first of all arts, literature, very interested in literature, my aunt was a
very good linguist, in fact her grandson is here standing at the back, Brian Townsend who is just as good a
linguist as his granny used to be, they were interested in politics, literature, music and David Waterson
shared all these interests with them, and it was a friendship which was very deep and lasted for 50 years
This is where my original connection with Brechin came from.”
Dr Fallows praised the work of the DWT and AC “I think it’s absolutely wonderful, I was thrilled when I saw it,
at first this morning, in its raw state and I was delighted when I went over to that case there, that the first
picture I saw was a drawing of my mother!”
Dr Fallows gave an interesting insight into the earlier life of David Waterson between the years 1902 and 1910
“when he was a young man, full of life and enthusiasm and a constant visitor to the Taggart household where
he was drawing Tibby as a little girl, who as a friend, he played very much the position of Lewis Carrol as in
“Alice in Wonderland” and I have here a little booklet which is one of the books which David Waterson drew for
Tibby, this is Tibby’s own book and is a delightful little thing, ten pages of lovely drawings and
writings designed to keep a small child happy” (three examples can be seen in the private collections of
www.davidwaterson.co.uk -Tibby’s stories)
And of one of DW’s trip back to Scotland, together with the Taggarts, “in a somewhat racy letter where he
talks about booking their cabins for their sea trip from London up to Dundee, because they were coming
up by sea,” and at another point, “I must go now because I have to get back home and send six pictures
to Sweden immediately and he underlines immediately!” Dr Fallows then charged the DWT with the task of
tracking down the cache of paintings that must obviously still be in Sweden – strange given his close
friendship with the King and Queen of Sweden of the day that despite every effort they still remain hidden!
Dr Fallow’s sharp eye for detail brought to our attention, a point that I must admit had escaped me “You’ve
probably heard of the National Gallery in London, it’s called the “Smiles Gallery” because there are all these
Grandees, great men and women of the past, looking down on you with not a smile on any of their faces but
David Waterson is an artist who had obvious skills, he was able to capture a smile and if you look at this one
(pointing to the portrait of the boy Smart) there’s the trace of a smile and he’s captured a smile on my
mother’s portrait, a smile can easily become rigid, frozen, unnatural, and David had the skill to avoid that!”
Dr Fallow’s address can best be summed up by a young lass, her face lit up with delight, when she described
the evening as being a great success and she could have listened to Dr fallows, who had spoken for just over
16 minutes, for hours – she had so many questions to ask of him and I agree that he could have held the
attention of those gathered for much longer!
“Now I’ve talked quite long enough” concluded Dr Fallows “and may I express on behalf of the public in general
our thanks to the Trust and all who have been associated with this exhibition, members of the Council, the
Angus Council as well had their share in things, may I thank everyone who has been concerned.”
On behalf of AC and the DWT I would take this opportunity to express our grateful thanks to Dr Fallows for his most informative address, at times interspersed with loud laughter, and yes Ian you can rest assured that we
will continue to remember the work of David Waterson, you can bet on that – your inspiring address has
given a new spring to our step!
My final thoughts are of the early research, to 1956 by the late Councillor George Allan and given the many
questions of the evening can simply advise your readers that bound copies of these early papers and a full
transcript of Dr Fallow’s address will soon be available at the OTHM
Mrs Waterson need not have worried about the threat of a nuclear war destroying the art treasures, my late
good friend Robert Stevens and his good lady Pamela have ensured this, Freida Haggart’s mammoth task of
transcribing DW’s 500 poems, the enthused audience, further inspired by Dr Fallow’s address and the
“glasnost”that is very much evident in the cooperative ambience encouraged by John Johnston and others
will also add meaningful significance to the very last words expressed by Ann Wallis, first female classical
graduate from St Andrew’s University, also from Yorkshire and wife of David –
“Those who pursue Art from love of the Art and with nobleness of mind are to be commended above all
others”
John Ritchie
Chairman DWT
Footnote – John Smart from Edzell informed me that he knew who the lady was in one of the portraits
“That’s Miss Lamb” said John and I replied by reminding John that Daryl and I had lived in the
Miss lamb’s house for more than 30 years “Not those Miss Lambs” said John “they were known as
“The Girls” the other Lamb!”
It’s good to talk and if anyone feels the need to become involved in this exciting research please get
in touch with Mike Mitchell on 01356 623662
Exhibition is on Tuesday through Saturday until 19 Sept 2015