I have to apologise.

We have been reliably informed that the portrait previously posted by us of the Rev James Coutts is not actually the man himself but is a portrait of Reverend David Brown by artist James Coutts Michie. https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/reverend-david-brown-104966 ;

Janelle Byrne is a recent Coutts Society member and the Rev James Coutts was her…

The National Trust of Australia acknowledged the work we have done recently by shortlisting the Coutts Sailors Home renovation for a Heritage Award.

OK so we didn't win - but it was a competition against Councils and architects etc!!

We are still very proud of what we have done, and we always refer to our home as 'Coutts'!

When we bought it it was a construction zone. There were hardly any floors or ceilings, no power, no plumbing, just walls inside. The…

Coutts Sailors' Home was named for Rev. James Coutts. He negotiated with the government to acquire the land and raised much of the money to build the home as a safe haven for sailors staying in the port of Newcastle, Australia. Its opening was considered so important that there was a public holiday a marching band and a big party!

The foundation stone was moved to a wall some time later. It…