What came before
Some of the most important memories I have of 161B are from when it was a children’s nursery, set up and run by my Mum and the first nursery of any kind in Kelso at the time. That’s 30 years and counting of history that I have with 161B, and it was a privilege to have the opportunity to future proof a building that is so dear to myself and my Mum.
My Mum kindly agreed to answer a few simple questions about the building as it was, and as it is now. Read below to find out whether she actually likes what I’ve done with the place!
Me: How did 161B feel as a place to work, and as a place for children to have fun and learn?
Mum: It always felt lovely, from the second I opened the door when I came to look around. Once we’d renovated it felt warm, light, bright, and spacious, and felt like a home even though it was a nursery. It felt like it would be a special place for the children to come when they weren’t in their own homes.
Me: Do you have any special memories you can share about the building and what happened here?
Mum: Just lots of happy children! The location was also very special as we could go down to the Cobby (a local riverside area and walk) and the Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe at the time allowed us to play in the castle grounds, which were a short walk away. This meant that it didn’t matter that we only had a small outdoor area beside the nursery, it was / is surrounded by beautiful, accessible countryside.
Me: Did you have any concerns about the changes I was making to 161B?
Mum: I just couldn’t visualise what it would be at the end, although I expected it would be a nice space! For example I couldn’t imagine a bedroom being in what was our entrance hallway where the children hung up their coats and bags! I also thought the concept of the courtyard was a strange thing at first, taking a bite out of our beloved building, but it’s now such a welcoming space as you come around to the entrance.
Me: What do you think of it now that it’s a house?!
Mum: Beautiful! Absolutely beautiful! It’s a building that anyone could live in and it’s adaptable - it would be perfect for couple or a family, or someone on their own - it has all the spaces you need while being quite compact.
Me: Do you have a favourite area or part of 161B?
Mum: I love the attic space as that was my special place - I used to store all our nursery supplies up there and I spent a lot of time sorting through everything. I was also the only person who ever went up there as the access was just a ladder in the boiler cupboard, so it was also quite a peaceful place! Its lovely to see how it’s been opened up and made into something special (upstairs bedroom and ensuite). I also like that you’ve left original features in like the beams, so you can still see what was there and was it was before. You’ve not modernised it to hide everything away, so the memories are still there, and people can still see and ask about the history of 161B.
I think we can call that a seal of approval, phew!
