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Durham from Western Hill by Ian Scott Massie
Original Watercolour
36" x 28" Mounted size - 30" x 22" Image size
SOLD
36" x 28" Mounted size - 30" x 22" Image size
SOLD
THE GHOST OF JIMMY ALLEN
When I was a student in Durham I spent a lot of time exploring the secret corners of the ancient city. When I descended the steps at Elvet Bridge there was rusty gate barring the way to the dark underbelly of the city. This was the entrance of Durham’s 17th century prison where offenders as young as 13 were kept in appalling conditions, and where one in four prisoners died of disease.
Now it’s a bar, named after a famous former prisoner. Listen and you may hear the notes of a reel played on the Northumbrian pipes: a tune called Jimmy Allen, for this is where Jimmy Allen spent his last days.
Jimmy was once regarded as the finest piper in Northumberland. The Northumbrian pipes are bellows-blown small pipes with chromatic keys and a vibrant tone, usually made of black lignum vitae with silver mountings. Some prefer them to the Highland pipes. They’re “Nae sae squally in the hoose” as someone once said.
Allen was born near Rothbury in 1834 and, as his skill and fame spread, he became piper to the Duke of Northumberland. In addition to being an accomplished musician he was a born rogue: a horse thief, bigamist and army deserter.
In 1803 his misdeeds caught up with him and he was lodged in Durham’s House of Correction, prior to being transported for seven years for his crimes. But Jimmy was a sick man, and transportation would have killed him, so he remained in the vaults under Durham for seven long years.
Finally, as he approached his 77th year, a pardon was issued due to his infirmity signed by the Prince Regent. Sadly Jimmy died two weeks before the pardon arrived. His music, however, lives on and the reel Jimmy Allen is part of every North Eastern ceilidh band’s repertoire.
Now it’s a bar, named after a famous former prisoner. Listen and you may hear the notes of a reel played on the Northumbrian pipes: a tune called Jimmy Allen, for this is where Jimmy Allen spent his last days.
Jimmy was once regarded as the finest piper in Northumberland. The Northumbrian pipes are bellows-blown small pipes with chromatic keys and a vibrant tone, usually made of black lignum vitae with silver mountings. Some prefer them to the Highland pipes. They’re “Nae sae squally in the hoose” as someone once said.
Allen was born near Rothbury in 1834 and, as his skill and fame spread, he became piper to the Duke of Northumberland. In addition to being an accomplished musician he was a born rogue: a horse thief, bigamist and army deserter.
In 1803 his misdeeds caught up with him and he was lodged in Durham’s House of Correction, prior to being transported for seven years for his crimes. But Jimmy was a sick man, and transportation would have killed him, so he remained in the vaults under Durham for seven long years.
Finally, as he approached his 77th year, a pardon was issued due to his infirmity signed by the Prince Regent. Sadly Jimmy died two weeks before the pardon arrived. His music, however, lives on and the reel Jimmy Allen is part of every North Eastern ceilidh band’s repertoire.
How it would look on your wall
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