OPENING NIGHT FOR “THE BANKER WHO CARED” AT RUTHWELL CHURCH
Written by author on May 26, 2016
A NEW play is to mark the vision of a Free Church of Scotland minister who is credited with founding the savings bank movement will be performed tonight.
In 1810, major banks required £10 to open up an account which was out of reach of most people. So the Rev Henry Duncan established Ruthwell Parish Bank, which only required six pence to start an account.
Argyll-based playwright Dave Dewar, from Cultural Connections, came up with the idea after visiting the Savings Bank museum near Dumfries, and decided he wished to pay tribute to “one of Scotland’s least-known heroes”.
The title of the drama is ‘The Banker who Cared’, and the opening night will be tonight, Thursday May 26 and will be perofmred in Duncan’s local church, Ruthwell Church.
Duncan was a social reformer writer, artist geologist, philanthropist and newspaper owner and Mr Dewar said: “Too often in Scotland we pay far too little attention to persons who have left their mark on Scottish history.
“Rev Henry Duncan of Ruthwell is one of Scotland’s least-known heroes. At a time when British banking is still under a cloud, it is heart-warming to hear of a bank’s founder whose motives were entirely honourable.”
The playwright continued: “In 1810, it required £10 to open up an account with the major banks, impossible for poor people.
“Duncan established Ruthwell Parish Bank with only six pence required to open an account, and paying five-per-cent interest. This was immediately popular, thus heralding the savings bank movement worldwide.
“Duncan had a genuine desire to help the people of Ruthwell who were badly affected by the fluctuating economic times.”
People from all over the world visit Duncan’s former church at Ruthwell where the 18 foot high cross is one of the features and a huge attraction.
Tonight’s event is part of the Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival and will be performed again tomorrow night at the Catstrand Arts Centre in New Galloway.
