SCOTS RACING LEGEND JACKIE STEWART HONOURED AS A FREEMAN OF WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE
JACKIE STEWART'S HOMECOMING – FRIDAY 26 JUNE, 2009
Dumbarton born and bred, Sir John Young Stewart OBE, better known around the globe to his millions of fans as Sir Jackie Stewart and internationally renowned for his incredible achievements in Formula One Racing from 1965 - 1973, will return home to Dumbarton on Friday 26 June to be bestowed the honour of being made a Freeman of West Dunbartonshire.
Sir Jackie will spend the day in West Dunbartonshire, visiting ‘old haunts’ and will receive the Freemanship at a special ceremony in the Dumbarton Municipal Buildings at 6.00pm. Local school children will give Sir Jackie a guided tour of his old primary school, now Dumbarton Academy, and will interview the racing great about his life and his achievements at a ‘Junior’ Press Conference. They will also present Sir Jackie with a specially designed birthday cake to celebrate his 70th birthday. Sir Jackie will later unveil a commemorative plaque to mark the house where he spent his childhood.
Sir Jackie said: “It means a lot to me to be returning home. It’s a huge compliment to be bestowed with the Freemanship of West Dunbartonshire. I have always been very proud of my Dumbarton origins and I am delighted that West Dunbartonshire is proud of my achievements and is granting me with this wonderful honour. I am really delighted to have this recognition and am looking forward to a visit to my old primary school and to the home where I grew up.”
Sir Jackie was recognised for his services both to motorsport and the motor manufacturing industry, by the award of the OBE in 1972 and subsequently a Knighthood in 2001 and has been awarded of several honorary doctorates from as far afield as Michigan, Glasgow Caledonian University, the Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, the University of Glasgow, the University of Stirling, Cranfield University and most recently Edinburgh University.
Sir Jackie’s reputation as a motivational speaker has inspired many, particularly with stories about his struggle at school and how he was considered unintelligent and academically challenged, and subsequently bullied. Since being diagnosed with Dyslexia at 42, Sir Jackie has worked tirelessly as the President of Dyslexia Scotland. He is Vice-President of the British Dyslexia Association and a Founder and Vice-President of the Scottish International Education Trust and sits on the International Advisory Board to the Scottish Parliament.
Sir Jackie said: “Hopefully one day we will have a teacher who specialises in learning disabilities, or learning differences, in every primary school. Early diagnosis is the biggest and most important thing you can get to help a young person.”
West Dunbartonshire Council Chief Executive, David McMillan said: “In view of Sir Jackie’s tough experience as a child at school due to his Dyslexia, we wanted to show him the teaching support that is in place in all West Dunbartonshire schools to support children with this and other learning difficulties. I am thrilled at his pending visit and in the few meetings that we have had, I have been blown away by his incredible energy and enthusiasm. He is indeed a fantastic Ambassador for West Dunbartonshire.”
Provost Denis Agnew adds, “I personally consider it a great privilege that I will see Sir Jackie unveil the plaque commemorating the home where he spent his formative years. I trust that all our community will join me in sharing a tremendous sense of civic pride in his acceptance as a Freeman of West Dunbartonshire. This is indeed a real Homecoming for a local legend and world renowned Champion!”
Press Contact:
Lynn McAdam
West Dunbartonshire Council
lynn.mcadam@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
01389 737 297
A brief biography of Sir Jackie
Stewart was an apprentice mechanic at his father's garage. He became Britain's most successful Formula One driver. Stewart started out in Formula Three with Tyrrell in 1964, moving to BRM (British Racing Motors) in 1965. He rejoined Tyrrell and went on to enjoy amazing Formula One success, winning the World Championship in 1969, 1971 and 1973. He campaigned for improved safety measures in motor racing after being injured at the Belgian Grand Prix. In 1997, he launched his Formula One Motor Racing team with his son, Paul. This was sold to the Ford Motor Company in 2000 and re-named Jaguar Racing. He was knighted in 2001.