A budding Wishaw writer is asking for the public’s help to provide more information on one of history’s greatest composers visiting the town.
Records show the Polish composer Frédéric Chopin, who was a child prodigy and piano virtuoso, visited Wishaw as an honoured guest of Lord and Lady Belhaven in 1848, less than a year before his death – at the age of just 39.
Gerry Carr, 60, has become fascinated with the story and is putting finishing touches to a book detailing the historic visit.
Music teacher Gerry told Lanarkshire Live : “Living in Wishaw and going to school in Motherwell I couldn’t believe I hadn’t heard about Chopin’s visit.
“I grew up not far from the Craigneuk entrance to Wishaw House so I wanted to find out more.
“I have visited the site several times and recently had a very informative tour of the estate with Graham Butt from the Campfire History group.
“I am putting the finishing touches of my book “Warsaw to Wishaw” which tells the story of how Chopin visited Wishaw House in 1848.
“One of the highlights was speaking to Alan Walker, who wrote the 800 page Life and Times of Chopin in 2018, he was such a huge help to me.”
“Along with my son Jonathan I visited Lady Belhaven in London in August last year.
“She is the third wife of Robert Anthony Carmichael Hamilton , the last Lord Belhaven to live in the house prior to their departure in 1951 and the consequent sale in 1952.
“Unfortunately he died during the pandemic but she did say that he talked very fondly of his time growing up in Wishaw House.”
Gerry is hoping the good folk of Wishaw can help him out in any way they can.
These include photos or images of any of the grand entrance to the Wishaw Estate in Craigneuk; the Belhaven’s walled garden, the walled garden cottage and any photos or images of the inside of the house.
Gerry added: “Any information no matter how small about the Chopin visit would be fantastic.
“Perhaps somewhere in Wishaw there could be historically important documents, writings lying about in a loft regarding Chopin’s visit.
“A letter from Chopin to Lady Belhaven at Wishaw House sold at Sotheby’s in London in 2018 for £27,000 so you just never know.”
If you have any information or pictures from the Wishaw Estate or from Chopin’s visit then email ross.thomson@reachplc.com
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