Harald Bruff – Memorial
To the late Mr H.J.L. Bruff
At the Institute, Greenhow Hill, on Saturday afternoon, between 60 and 70 friends and admirers gathered to pay tribute to the memory of the late Harald John Lexow Bruff, a benefactor to the village, who died in January last, after residing there for more than 30 years. This recognition of valuable services rendered to the community took the form of a painted portrait and plaque placed on the wall of the Institute and unveiled by the Rev. T. Garnett Jones, Vicar of Winksley.
The portrait is the work of a Belgian artist friend a refugee during the 1914-18 war, who stayed with Mr and Mrs Bruff at Greenhow. The plaque in bronze, set on an oak mount, carries the inscription: “In remembrance of H.J.L. Bruff who died January 29th 1946, from Greenhow Hill parishioners in appreciation of voluntary services rendered.”
The Rev. W.R. Wright (Vicar) presided and among those present were Mrs Bruff, the Rev. J. Mason, Vicar of South Otterington, formerly of Greenhow, and Mrs Mason.
At the outset the chairman read the following telegram from Ruby and Ulf Barkman of New York, the late Mr Bruff’s daughter and son-in-law. “Thank you, dear Greenhow friends for the tribute you are paying to the life of my father today, and in helping to keep alive the memory of a man who devoted himself to give friendship and happiness to the village he loved so well. ”
“I always think of him as represented by the well-known psalm “I will lift up mine eyes to the hills” said the chairman. These were the hills he loved, and a great deal of time and energy had been expended in seeking the welfare of Greenhow Hill; and there was no doubt that his last thoughts were about the Institute, which had become the product of his imagination.
The Rev. Garnett Jones, in a reminiscent mood, spoke of his boyhood days when he came by train to Pateley, tramped up the hill and was met by that ragamuffin little girl Ruby. He had then been entertained by Mr and Mrs Bruff and had since always looked forward to a visit to “The Hill”. He went on to say that he had committed the crime of choosing Greenhow Hill for his honeymoon and amid loud laughter, described how his wife and himself arrived two hours earlier than was expected and of Mrs Bruff popping her head out of the window and exclaiming, “My god, the bride and bridegroom!” In a more serious vein, Mr Garnett Jones told his hearers how Mr Bruff had inspired him in taking up many interests and that he would never outgrow his influence. He had persuaded him to become interested in archaeology, birds, beasts and flowers, all of which, as Scout Commissioner for 14 years, he had been trying to pass on to his boys. He had not only been appointed Mr Bruff’s executor, but he had become his adopted son.
Following the unveiling, the hymn “Abide with me” was sung.
“Our Little Grey Home”
Mrs Bruff said: “I cannot express adequately how deeply touched I am by this great tribute paid to my husband by the people of Greenhow Hill. This Institute was his child, and bringing it forth was, I think, one of the greatest joys of his life up here on ‘The Hill’. Ever since his first visit to Greenhow in 1907 or 1908 – I am not sure which – I think he here had found the place where he wanted to live when he retired from the railway. It took hold of his imagination and his heart and he there and then decided that here he would live and end his days and I am thankful to God that his wish was fulfilled.
He bought Kell House in 1914, when I was on a visit to Norway, and said it was a gift to me. I had only seen Greenhow once, and at its very worst, so I wrote back and told him, if he liked to live in that godforsaken place, he could. I certainly would not. We always laughed over this. But I soon began to understand the many moods of these wonderful moors and got to love them every bit as much as he did; they are inspiring and do give wings to one’s imagination. When we came here, to our little cottage, in 1915 – just for week-ends and holidays – it gradually became for us “Our Little Grey Home in the West”.
When my husband got to know the villagers better and the conditions under which they lived – they were not good then – he had already worked out plans for making their lives happier and more prosperous – hence the reopening of the old lead mines. This brought hope for better living and conditions and the miners put their heart and soul into their work. But unfortunately the First World War soon killed all these prospects and hopes and the mines failed. But in spite of this great misfortune I don’t think the village has ever looked back. That was my husband’s great consolation and his reward although we lost our money over this. But here in life we have to serve a purpose and if we can do it, it is a grand thing. But it means unselfishness and sacrifice and nobody knows better than I who shared all my husband’s joys and troubles, how heartbroken he was after his failure. He thought that all was lost and that life in the village would go back to its old conditions.
He did not then realise until later that his enthusiasm had sown into the mind of the villager a small seed: the wish to carryon, not go back to inertia, but to make a success of life, making it worthwhile by individual efforts and initiative. He had shown them the way; he was great idealist.
“My husband had planned much, and hoped for the time being there was nothing to do. Then, after a few years, came the work for the village Institute or Hall. It was long in realising. The villagers came together, there were disagreements, disappointments and even great resentment, but the Institute got erected and here it has proved a great blessing to the village, and I hope it will continue to do so for many years. I am sure I am right when I say that the women in the village have been the backbone in keeping it going.”
“And now I shall soon be leaving my beloved England for good as my daughter and her husband want me to join them in their home. My heart will be left in England, the land of my adoption, and which has treated me so kindly. Although I had a wonderful childhood and youth, my greatest and deepest happiness I found here. The two wars have wrought havoc here as in so many countries.
People seem so disheartened, pessimistic and often hopeless over the prevailing difficulties and distressing conditions, but I am sure that all will right itself because the wonderful characteristics of the English people will re-assert themselves and all the fine and noble qualities which have made our beloved England so great and so looked to by the whole world will be again re-awakened.”
In conclusion, Mrs Bruff expressed her thanks to all her dear friends on Greenhow for the placing of the plaque to the memory of her husband and the kindness and affection shown him, herself and daughter through the years. In reference to the Rev. Garnett Jones, she said no one was more fitted to undertake the unveiling, as her husband looked upon him as a son, and their love was mutual.
Mr Mason, in a short tribute to his friend, said he had not known Mr Bruff long, but soon came to realise the extent of his culture and strict integrity of character. His sense of duty was strong indeed, but his temperament was such that they could not on all occasions agree with him. They knew that when he set his mind on anything he would attain it because he thought it was the right thing to do. On Greenhow Hill they were already realising how right he was in many ways. He was glad that at their gathering that day the dominant note had not been one of sorrow. They deplored his passing, but they knew they were all probationers here, and his work was finished. Let them not be downhearted, but thankful for the work their friend had done, the example he had set and for the life he had lived.
Mr G. Robinson, the secretary of the Institute, accepted the plaque on behalf of the parishioners, to be cared for and cherished. He said that he would do so in memory of one of the greatest benefactors the village had ever known.
Tea was served at the conclusion of the proceedings.
NIDDERDALE HERALD – February 1947