The Friends of Fintry are pleased to announce that we have partnered with Laura Ayotte to help us bring Weddings & Special Events to the Manor House grounds. The link to her business – “Fintry Estate Weddings & Events” can be found on our website.
Over the years many people have approached the Friends of Fintry hoping to have their special event held at this very unique location. We are now happy to help make their dreams come true.
Shortly before Christmas two members of the Board for Friends of Fintry attended a function where Christy Clark was speaking. During a break Gwendy Lamont (Education Outreach) and Mary Browne-Clayton (Social Media) were able to manage a few minutes alone with the Premier. She had been told that we represented Fintry and was interested in what we had to say. During our brief discussion the Premier listened attentively and asked questions. Ms. Clark was indeed aware of Fintry as a Provincial Park and was very interested to hear about Captain James Dun-Waters and the unique history of Fintry Estate.
Having a keen interest in heritage the Premier expressed a desire to tour the Manor House & Barn Complex and, if it is at all possible, attend one of the three events held at Fintry during the season.
This year the theme for Heritage Week in BC (February 15 – 21) is Distinctive Destinations: Experience Historic Places.
The Friends of Fintry were honoured to receive an award for the ” Preservation or Restoration of a Neighbourhood or Area. Awarded to a neighbourhood or area that has largely remained unchanged over time or has been revitalized through the restoration and/or rehabilitation of its buildings and streetscape.”
The award was accepted by the Historian for Friends of Fintry, Paul Korascil. In his acceptance speech he thanked the Friends of Fintry past presidents & board members for making this possible. It was wonderful to have a few of these past members there for the presentation. The present board of directors has these dedicated people to thank for preserving the history of Fintry for generations to come.
We are thankful for the recognition and the generous donation which will be put towards bringing the fascinating history of Fintry alive.
Took a drive up to Fintry the last weekend of January and found that work has indeed begun on the Manor House. Workers were on site and it appears that they are in the process of removing the asbestos from the upstairs judging from the orange plastic sealing the windows.
It was a lovely day for a drive with the sun shining on what is left of the snow. We walked down along the beach & up the stairs for a view of the rushing waterfall. The parking lot near the barn complex was full. Tourists were taking pictures, locals were walking with friends and enthusiasts were climbing the stairs at a good pace.
A soft blanket of snow covers the Fintry Manor House muffling the sounds of the wildlife in the surrounding delta.
The Friends of Fintry would like to take this time to wish all our supporters and those that follow us on Facebook a very Merry Christmas and all the best in the New Year.
The Manor House is closed for the season but it is not silent. Over the winter repairs will begin to the roof and the upper level of the House. BC Parks couldn’t begin the repairs until the resident bat population completed their migration south for the winter. When they return in the Spring they will have a new home sealed off from the rest of the house and safe for this endangered species of Bat.
The board is busy planning events for the next year beginning with the Fair on Mother’s Day (May 8th). We would like to thank the many vendors who took part in events over the past year. The Kelowna Calligraphers Guild & Willowbrook Gardens are so often a part of our events. Two food vendors, House of the Carribean & Crepe Bistro, provided us with delicious choices for lunch. An event at Fintry wouldn’t be complete without the Kalamalka Highlanders Pipe Band of Vernon or talented local folk singers keeping us entertained.
Bounce Hire Inflatables of Vernon kept the kids happy while Volunteer Face Painters transformed children’s faces. The games & activity area was really for the whole family with parents & grandparents taking part in the fun.
Below are photos of just a few of the many vendors.
Blowfish Glassworks will be one of the exhibitors at the Fall Fair this Sunday.
Dawnfire Forge will be there as well. Kids of all ages will enjoy watching him form heated steel in to works of art.
The Fall Fair at Fintry is only two weeks away. I just checked the extended weather forecast and it looks like the sun will shine all day!
There will be lots of things for the whole family to enjoy…. good food and fun for everyone. A blacksmith will show us how he fashions metal in to amazing works of art. Many more exhibitors will be there as well.
Mark September 13th on your calendars and watch for more information in the coming days.
What a great day we had last Sunday. There were a few clouds but that only kept the heat down and everyone’s enthusiasm up. We tried something different this time moving the entrance to the end of the Manor House lawn. This was great for all the vendors, especially our food vendors. The move also gave the kids activities lots more room which is a good thing when water balloons, obstacle course, bouncy house, face painting and messy magic sand making activities are in full swing.
Thanks to the many volunteers who helped us in so many ways. It takes a lot of work to organize, publicize, set up, take down, give tours and fill in at the entrance tables etc. Don’t know where we would be without them!