What do Thrums and Peter Pan have in common? The answer is author J.M Barrie.
Before immortalizing the boy who never grows up, Barrie wrote a series of novels set in the fictional Scottish village of Thrums, inspired by his birthplace, Kirriemuir.
Between 1888 and 1891, he published Auld Licht Idylls, A Window in Thrums, and The Little Minister.
Barrie’s fictional Scottish town later became a real place in West Kootenay in Canada (named by a fan of the novels), and is believed to be behind the name popping up across England as the name of varies hotels and family homes.
Perhaps a little homesick for England or also fans of Barrie’s novels, we do not know for sure. But with great fondness my great-grandparents Wilfred and Nancy Mingay named their holiday home in Southbroom by the same name.
Thrums was one of the first homes built in the area more than 60 years ago, securing one of the best views above the tidal pool. Southbroom, named so by the pioneering family after their own family home in their native England was officially proclaimed a township in 1933. The Southbroom Hotel opened in 1935, followed by the iconic tidal pool in 1937 and the golf course in 1939, later expanded to 18 holes in 1948.
Originally a quaint fisherman’s cottage (with oddities like a shower located in the passage), the house was renovated into the comfortable holiday home it is today. Thurms continues to bring our family together for holidays at the beach as it has done for generations. We hope to share this special place with you so that you can make memories of your own.
– Lesley
