Denny Social

Words by Annie Jordan Photos by Jordan Stevens & courtesy of Scottish Maritime Museum

If you have never visited the Denny Tank in Dumbarton, it is high time you did!

There is something for everyone and the price could not be better at the moment: a paying adult (£5 full price or £4 concession) can bring up to three children free so that’s a great deal – too good to miss.

Laura McFettridge, the most welcoming face on the front desk suggested: “It’s a wee idea for the school holidays. Or anytime. For parents and grandparents. There’s loads to do….”

Their ‘Denny Social’ exhibition is running until August 9. It features the rich and varied social life and fun of the Denny Tank employees with information boards, photos and a fascinating, beautifully illustrated scrapbook of their stories, events, programmes, menus, sporting activities and football.

The centrepiece is a piece of stained glass, a collaborative artwork by local volunteers working with artist, Eilidh Mackenzie.

I fell in love with the Denny Tank last time I covered it for Clydesider. I have returned twice since, which defies any critics who say it is too scientific, too focused on engineering…. I am neither, but I DO enjoy social history, storytelling and a real sense of community, and the museum has that in spades.

Jennifer Pless, Community Engagement and Development Officer at the Scottish Maritime Museum explained: “My new role is all about people, relationships, a sense of community and saving their stories for future generations. Meeting and working with locals has been so refreshing.

“They are very proud of Dumbarton and its place in shipbuilding history. It seems incredible to think the world-famous Cutty Sark, moored at Greenwich, was built at Denny’s here in Dumbarton…”

The Scottish Maritime Museum organised “Brew and Blether” sessions in Dumbarton Library to bring the community together and share their stories.

The stained glass piece was born out of these sessions with locals working alongside Eilidh Mackenzie and taking inspiration from images and stories in the ‘Denny Arkivz’, a ‘scrapbook’ of social events kept by Denny staff as well as the group’s own personal experiences.

Their stained glass journey was recorded on video and has pride of place in the exhibition.

Children visiting the exhibition can make mini ‘stained glass’ mobiles in the discovery area upstairs.

When asked what was the most challenging thing about ‘Denny Social’, Jennifer responded with a warm smile: “Nothing… it has been so interesting.

“Learning about the Denny family, Denny Tank and about its workforce. They were so skilled but also funny…

“Have you read the football letters?”

I made a beeline for these. Sarcasm and banter rolled into one. Hilarious!

Jennifer continued: “We also captured their humour on the postcards on the Memory Wall. One employee tells of Princess Alexandra launching a ship and the champagne bottle didn’t break…”

Jennifer loved learning these real stories: “For the Dennys, an employee was more than an employee: they sent care packages to WWI soldiers and rewarded employees for innovative ideas…”

The Dennys fascinated me last time – the Leonardo da Vincis of Dumbarton: forward-thinking, innovative; inventing hovercrafts, helicopters etc. way ahead of their time.

The museum, however, is a step back in time: it is as though the workers have just gone home for the night.

So why visit ‘The Denny Social’?

Jennifer concluded: “If you are interested in the community as it was in Dumbarton, what made them tick or how they socialised back then or their music. Or stained glass itself, then you should definitely come along.

“Also we have Tommy the Pigeon and a ‘pigeon trail’ for the children…”

One fascinating wee nugget was that homing pigeons were used by Denny for speed trials… Who knew?

So, if like me, you didn’t know that, get along to see the ‘Denny Social’… and those football letters too!!! You will definitely learn something.

The ‘Denny Social’ is open Mon – Sat from 10 am – 4 pm until August 9.

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