Playing part in history

May 29 2009 by Donald Morton, Stirling Observer Friday

FINTRY may be one of West Stirlingshire’s smaller villages – but it’s certainly been home to some famous historical figures.

Primary school pupils have been researching Fintry’s 200-year history as part of this year’s Homecoming Year and this culminated in two events – a specially written play with songs, dance, drama and comedy about events in Fintry’s history and the creation of a Fintry Museum in the school featuring stories from the village’s past.

At the performance in Fintry Sports Club, 350 people gave the children a magnificent reception. As well as the musical event, films were shown highlighting the children's views of Fintry today and looking back at the mysteries they were about to reveal.

Locals spoke of life in Fintry and the climax was a filmed message from Fintry in Canada, founded 100 years ago by James Cameron Dunwaters of Fintry, Stirling, who owned the Glasgow Herald.

“It was amazing,” said P7 pupil Cara Doyle.

“The next morning, as we walked to school, people we did not even know were coming up to us and saying how much they had learned about Fintry and what a special event it had been!”

Following the sports club show, the children opened up the school to reveal the first Fintry Museum with every classroom and corridor crammed with stories and pictures of Fintry's past.

Remarkable tales unfolded like the story of Peter McNee of Fintry, who was born in a farmhouse in the village and became a teacher in Glasgow.

He was fired up by the French Revolution and left Scotland after making anti-government speeches.

He joined the French army and rose to become a top general Marshal Ney.

Legend has it that when Ney was captured and ordered to be executed by firing squad, he was so popular the soldiers fired over his head, he feigned death and was secretly transported to America aboard a ship.

It is said he became a teacher in Carolina and on his deathbed, aged 73, said: “I may as well tell you. I am Marshal Ney!”

The children also told the tale of Wartime Secretary of State for Scotland, Fintry resident Tom Johnston, who brought hydro-electricity to half of Scotland and began the Scottish Tourist Board.

The school museum has been open twice in the past week and many locals have been twice to find out more information about Fintry's story.

The school has received an award for Learning and Teaching Scotland for best practice and hopes to produce both a book and film of the village's story.