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AIBU?

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Original poster

to think of letting them know about their extension....

34 replies

cozietoesie · 26/07/2013 14:53

Many many moons ago, my great aunt and uncle built a house in what was then a small Highland village but is now a dead posh holiday retreat. Great Aunty had this apparently appalling tomcat (they didn't neuter up there in those days) who sprayed on every surface known to man. She loved him dearly and Great Uncle said she could keep him only if he lived outside - so they built 'the shed' for him. (The extension.)

I was up there recently and the house is all whitewashed and beautiful. Ditto the shed.

I don't know whether I should write to the new owners letting them know. I hate to think of history dying - but maybe they wouldn't want to know about it?

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 26/07/2013 14:56

I'm not quite sure what I'd make of a letter like that?

Goldmandra · 26/07/2013 14:57

It might explain any lingering smells Grin

I think most people would be interested to know a bit extra about the history of their house.

ISeeSmallPeople · 26/07/2013 14:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

digerd · 26/07/2013 14:59

They might just start imagining a tom cat spraying smell everywhere and put them off the beautiful place. I wouldn't mention it.

MaxPepsi · 26/07/2013 14:59

I don't understand what you would be telling them?

Dear New Owner.

A smelly cat once 'lived' in the extension of your house.

regards
Cozie

Also, what has history got to do with anything?

Sorry, really confused by your post.

WorraLiberty · 26/07/2013 15:04

I think every extension is built for a reason...whether it's to house a washing machine/tumble dryer, or whether it's just because the house is too small etc.

Original poster
cozietoesie · 26/07/2013 15:07

I take your point, Max. But that's just one of the many things I know about the village.(From family tales.) It just seems so sad that history dies.

OP posts:
SwishSwoshSwoosh · 26/07/2013 15:10

I guess you could tell them it was built for a cat but not the bit about the spraying.

But probably I wouldn't tell them anything. I don't think them not knowing about your great uncle's cat counts as 'history dying'!

I think it is a family story.

SwishSwoshSwoosh · 26/07/2013 15:11

If you feel that way, write it up for the archives in whichever town would cover the village, along with all you know. Then it is there for whoever chooses to look. But don't force it onto them, as their response could be the opposite of what you hope for.

Your memories will be welcomed somewhere, perhaps a local history group.

WorraLiberty · 26/07/2013 15:11

I can kind of see why the smelly cat thing is like a romantic history for you OP, because of your great aunt and uncle.

But history always dies when it comes to little personal things about houses and flats etc.

Damnautocorrect · 26/07/2013 15:12

I'd love to know something like that about my home

MaxPepsi · 26/07/2013 15:13

Oh, I think I get you know.

More of an:

Dear New Owner

I thought you might be interested to know some of the history of your house.
It was originally built in x by relatives of mine. who were the local greengrocers/butchers
It was built on an old donkey field/warehouse site etc
The extension was added in X year to house the beloved family cat

that kind of letter?

If so, then yes, I think most owners would be interested in that.

Original poster
cozietoesie · 26/07/2013 15:17

Well how about another house in the village which has a (very steep) road to it that was built by hand, over some years, by the person who owned the croft. (He died later of silicosis.)

The current occupiers probably don't even notice.

OP posts:
eurozammo · 26/07/2013 15:19

I'd think it was really odd, tbh. It's part of your family lore, not something I would expect the current owners to have any interest in.

SwishSwoshSwoosh · 26/07/2013 15:22

Cozie - why suddenly now though? You've known this for years presumably?

Original poster
cozietoesie · 26/07/2013 15:23

So people aren't interested in history? That's OK by me - I'll write it up for the kids to make of it what they will - but I find it sad.

OP posts:
MaxPepsi · 26/07/2013 15:23

Is there a local museum, in the village or near by?

Or give the info to the local pub to put on the walls?

I always look at old photo's in the pub/shops etc when I visit somewhere knew that has history.

Original poster
cozietoesie · 26/07/2013 15:24

Circumstances, Swish.

OP posts:
Crinkle77 · 26/07/2013 15:26

sorry but I have to agree with euro

Dahlen · 26/07/2013 15:26

I'd be delighted to receive a letter like that if it was my house. I love finding out little details like that about a place. They are of no importance whatsoever but it's the little details that personalise things and make a house a home.

ImTooHecsyForYourParty · 26/07/2013 15:28

There's no harm at all in doing it. Its sweet that you want to, the history of it really matters to you so why not? But its really more your family history than something someone who has just bought a house would value.

If I was to get a letter like that, I would think so what and throw it in the bin. (But I'm really unsentimental. So that may just be me)
I agree with the person upthread who suggested a history group.
That way, people who are interested can seek out history of the village.

SwishSwoshSwoosh · 26/07/2013 15:28

Cozie - I think some people are interested and some are not, but I sense if you write and get a disinterested response it will make you sad.

Whereas if you write it up for the local history group or the archives, you know that it is preserved for those who are interested.

TolliverGroat · 26/07/2013 15:29

I'd write to the local history society (with all your interesting stories about the village), rather than to the current owners. That way the information will be on file for anyone interested in the future.

WorraLiberty · 26/07/2013 15:33

Because it's not really history is it?

Well I suppose it is, but it obviously means something to you because of the personal connection.

I live in an ex council house and I happen to know the reason my lounge and dining room was knocked through, was because the lady I bought the house from needed more room for her Grandmother's wheelchair.

But I don't feel any different for knowing that IYSWIM?

I agree with whoever suggested getting in touch with a local history group. They might be grateful for your memories etc.

Original poster
cozietoesie · 26/07/2013 15:34

I think I'll write things up and give them to the local historical society - along with photos. Thank you all.

OP posts:
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