Friends of Fintry Provincial Park
The Octagon – August 2018
I hope this finds you all enjoying this beautiful summer, albeit a bit too hot for some of us!
Our annual Fintry Fair, held on July 15th was very successful with some new participants (vendors and performers) and despite the heat of the day I think everyone enjoyed themselves.
Triskele, the Celtic singers from West Kelowna, were a new and welcome addition and the Vernon Scottish Country Dancers performed a few lively reels on the lawn of the Manor House to a most appreciative crowd and the Kalamalka Highlanders entertained in their full regalia. I think Dun-Waters would have been proud!
Our next and last Fair of the year is on Sunday, September 16th so mark your calendars and plan to attend. More info regarding entertainers and vendors will be available in the September Octagon.
At the July Summer Fair, our curator Dan Bruce, unveiled the portrait of Ben Lee, past Kelowna City Councillor who was instrumental in having Fintry named as a Provincial Park.
Dan Bruce, Eain Lamont and John Lee
Our Education Outreach coordinator, Gwendy Lamont along with Dan Bruce were invited to Mission Creek Landing Senior’s facility on July 23rd and they gave an outstanding presentation on Fintry, as well as having a “hands-on” with artifacts from Fintry. By all accounts it was well received and they have been invited back next year.
On a similar topic we are looking forward to a visit from the Good Samaritan Mountainview Village in Kelowna on the 22nd August. They will be coming to the Fintry Manor House for a picnic followed by a tour. We always enjoy reminiscing with our seniors and seeing their reaction to some of the artifacts which they remember using in their earlier years.
We are also looking forward to a visit on August 24th from a gentleman from Fintry, Stirlingshire in Scotland. He is setting up a small museum in “his” Fintry and is interested in featuring how “our” Fintry was established. How exciting to be able to join hands across the water. Will update you on this visit in the September Octagon.
Now an item of historical interest from curator, Dan Bruce…….
Next time you’re in the Manor House, have a good look at the framed print hanging on the west wall of the living-room, just below the staircase. It is a scene in Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, a once fashionable venue in London for outdoor entertainment of all kinds. Established in 1785, it was noted as a place for romantic meetings, and a variety of more public events, including a re-enactment of the battle of Waterloo, held in 1817 in which over a thousand soldiers took part.
The original drawing from which this early 19th Century print was made is by Thomas Rowlandson, a prolific and popular artist of his day. Vauxhall was closed down in 1859, but in very recent times it has been partially restored and re-opened as a park in 2012.
The print was donated to Fintry by the late Jennifer Hindle, who also presented the set of six hunting prints in the dining room, the work of Cecil Aldin. The Aldin prints used to hang in Kelowna’s El Dorado Hotel.
At this point I would like to invite you to give some consideration to joining the Friends of Fintry Board of Directors. As with any organization, there is always a core group of people who help out with our objectives and the running of events. As the years go by and life happens the load becomes rather onerous on this group. If you would like to have a say in the running of this heritage organization, and would like to apply, please contact either myself at 250-542-4139 or Dan Bruce at 250-766-2081.
Kathy Drew, President,
Friends of Fintry Provincial Park.