Arthur Conan Doyle Plaque Unveiling (Undershaw 6 july 1997)
On 6th July 1997, for the centenary of Arthur Conan Doyles house "Undershaw" (Hindhead, Haslemere, UK), a plaque dedicated to the author was unveiled by The Franco-Midland Hardware Company members and Arthur Conan Doyle's family members Georgina Doyle and Richard Doyle.
The plaque was : "Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Patriot, Physician and man of Letters. Lived and Worked Here. 1897-1907. Erected by the FMHC Study Group in 1997."
Report
Report published in The Cerebral Tentacle (september 1997, p.13-15).
by Geoff Budd.
Some 25 plus Doyleans gathered on a very warm summer's day to commemorate Arthur Conan Doyle's residence at 'Undershaw' on the centenary of the building of this house. Proceedings started at 11 a.m., however, those who arrived early met in the 'Little Chef' which is now opposite the now 'Undershaw Hotel'.
After morning coffee, tea and biscuits Philip Weller introduced Georgina Doyle and Richard Doyle who were graciously in attendance. Unfortunately Dame Jean Conan Doyle and FMHC Honorary Director Edward Hardwicke were unable to attend due to ill health and work commitments respectively. After a couple of group photographs, involving some athleticism (?) from the photographer (i.e. your reporter), Philip & Jane Weller presented an exceedingly interesting and informative slide show on Arthur Conan Doyle's various places of residence throughout his life.
After a lovely, if slightly insubstantial lunch, the 'almost inevitable prize quiz' took place (thankfully won by a member of the ACDSG!) and a well supported charity raffle proved equally entertaining.
Everyone then gathered to watch Georgina and Richard Doyle unveil the plaque, duly performed after an excellent and intriguing speech by Georgina. The plaque is situated in the bar/lounge area of the Hotel, however it is a shame that the local council have always denied 'planning permission' for any sort of commemorative plaque on the outside of the building.
A book with a list of contributors to the plaque fund was on display for examination, also in the bar area (see photographic illustrations - courtesy of Brian Pugh.).
There was then an opportunity to tour the 'house' and grounds, including the wonderful tree-house, and to admire the superb views that the location provides. (Although it can be appreciated that the view, when the house was originally constructed would have been even better!).
Afternoon tea and cake was then taken, a special cake being provided by the hotel before some of the group departed for London. The remainder then visited the Doyle family plot at Grayshott Church where Mary Doyle, Louisa Conan Doyle and Kingsley Conan Doyle are buried. Flowers were then laid by Richard and Georgina.
It was, however, saddening to see the mindless vandalism that has resulted in the damaging of many of the other grave headstones in this churchyard. The day was then concluded with a visit to the building that was formerly the Moorlands Hotel, where the Conan Doyle family stayed whilst 'Undershaw' was being completed. It only remains to say that this had been a greatly enjoyable and truly memorable day for those fortunate to have been there.
Photos
From left to right: Horace Coates (?) / Geoff Budd / ? / ? / ? / ? / ? / ? / ? / Jane Weller / ? / ? / Georgina Doyle / Richard Doyle / Philip Weller / ? / ? / ? / ? / ? / ? / Brian Pugh / ? / Brian Scrivener (?) / Mark Chadderton
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Plaque. -
Georgina Doyle and Richard Doyle unveiling the plaque. -
id. -
Speech by Georgina Doyle. -
Georgina Doyle blowing out candles. -
Lunch (Georgina Doyle and Richard Doyle on the right). -
Gate entrance with A.C.D. -
Undershaw front door. -
Coat of Arms (stain glass from inside). -
Door plate : ACD had handles removed from some doors to make things easier for Touie (his first wife). -
Moorlands Hotel where ACD's family stayed.
Contributors
List of contributors to the fund for the plaque:
- Roger Brand
- Marion Breeze
- Brian Brodie
- Frank Brown
- Paula Brown
- Margaret Bruitt
- Geoff Budd
- Andrew Butler
- Peter Calamai
- Bob Carter
- Marge Carter
- David Cech
- Mark Chadderton
- Frank Denton
- James C. Dixon
- Laura Dixon
- Roger Dixon
- Wendy Dixon
- James Doherty
- Brian Dolmer
- David Downs
- Georgina Doyle
- Richard Doyle
- Jill Drake
- Joseph Eckrich
- Debbie Eddings
- Joseph Marino
- Brian Marks
- Orilea Martell
- June Martinson
- Steven Marygold
- Olaf Maundt
- Arnold G. Miller
- Ray Mitchell
- Harald Mock
- Christine Munt
- Tracy Newton
- Joakim Nivre
- Sally Pain
- Allan J. Palmer
- Barbara Payne
- Malcolm Payne
- Stanley Pearce
- Frank Pedroni
- Marion Peer
- Trond Pettersen
- Ilse Peys
- John Pickard
- Cosimo Pricolo
- Brian Pugh
- Donald A. Redmond
- Tabatha Reed
Programme of the day
AM
- 11.00-11.30 : Arrival at Undershaw. Morning coffee/tea and biscuits. Distribution of The-Almost-Inevitable-Prize-Quiz. Order wine for lunch. Obtain charity raffle tickets.
- 11.30 : Welcomes and introductions.
- 11.40 : Slide show.
- 12.10 : Obtain non-wine drinks for lunch from the bar Take seats for lunch.
- 12.25 : Toasts. A Certain Gracious Lady The Immortal Memory Mr Harris and Mr Price.
- 12.30 : Lunch.
PM
- 2.15 : Plaque unveiling.
- 2.20 : Tour house and grounds.
- 2.50 : The-Almost-Inevitable-Prize-Quiz Answers.
- 2.55 : Charity raffle draw.
- 3.00 : Afternoon tea and cake.
- 3.30 : London coach departs.
- 3.35 : Car convoy departs for optional visit to the Doyle family plot at Grayshott.
- 4.00 : Car convoy departs from Grayshott for visit to view the former Moorlands Hotel in Hindhead.
- 4.20 : Dispersal from Hindhead.
Lunch Menu
Starters
- Home-made Vegetable Soup
- Chicken Liver Parfait with Cumberland Sauce
- Terrine of Seafood with Dill Dressing
Main Courses
- Duck en Croute with Grand Marnier Sauce
- Breast of chicken with Tomato & Hollandaise Sauce
- Paupiette of Salmon with Roasted Pepper Coulis
- Vegetable Wellington with Sour Cream & Hollandaise Sauce
Desserts
- Profiteroles with Chocolate Sauce
- Apple Tart with Vanilla Sauce
- Chocolate Mousse with Mint Sauce
- Progamme
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Front. -
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p. 6 -
Back
Conan Doyle about Undershaw
In his auto-biography, Arthur Conan Doyle wrote his souvenir about his move to Hindhead:
- « We were compelled to take a furnished house at Haslemere until the early months of 1897, when we moved up to Moorlands, a boarding house on Hindhead close to the site of my building. There we spent some happy and busy months until the house was ready in the summer. I had taken up riding, and though I was never a great horseman I was able from that time onwards to get a good deal of health and pleasure out of it, for in that woody, heathy country there are beautiful rides in every direction, and the hunting, in which I joined, was at least picturesque. About June we moved into the new house, which I called Undershaw — a new word, I think, and yet one which described it exactly in good Anglo-Saxon, since it stood under a hanging grove of trees. »
Conan Doyle Books published while living at Undershaw
- The Tragedy of the Korosko (january 1898)
- Songs of Action (june 1898)
- A Duet, with an Occasional Chorus (march 1899)
- The Green Flag and Other Stories of War and Sport (march 1900)
- The Great Boer War (october 1900)
- The War in South Africa: Its Cause and Conduct (january 1902)
- The Hound of the Baskervilles (march 1902)
- Adventures of Gerard (september 1903)
- The Return of Sherlock Holmes (february 1905)
- Sir Nigel (october 1906)
Some of the material in these books had previously appeared in magazine format, and some of the contents of books which were published later first appeared in magazine format whilst Arthur Conan Doyle was residing at Undershaw. Arthur Conan Doyle published numerous other pamphlets and articles during this period. It is interesting to note that what has unquestionably been the most popular of Arthur Conan Doyle's books, The Hound of the Baskervilles, was published during this period, as was Arthur Conan Doyle's own favourite book, Sir Nigel. What was one of the most important books ever written by Arthur Conan Doyle was also produced during this period, The War in South Africa: Its Cause and Conduct, which was the book which contributed most to ACD being knighted in 1902.
- Acknowledgements : Mark Chadderton.
- Photo credits : Geoff Budd.
