COMMUNITY MAGAZINE FOR THE ROYAL BURGH OF TAIN AND ITS SURROUNDING AREAS
TAIN & DISTRICT PICTURE POST
#251 OCTOBER
2021
OCTOBER 2021
ST DUTHAC BOOK & ARTS FESTIVAL
IN PICTURES: TCD DANCE
FOOTBALL BROTHERS BID FAREWELL
A selection of photographs from the newly introduced St. Duthac Book & Arts Festival held last month. p8
Pictures from TCD’s dancers, who performed at the Duthac Centre in September. p13
After 101 games as comanagers of St. Duthus, Stuart and Andrew Ross pass over the reigns. p23
TAIN & DISTRICT PICTURE POST
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The Glenmorangie Distillery Tain, Ross-shire IV19 1PZ Scotland On the A9, 45 minutes from Inverness, 1 mile north of Tain. For up to date information on our offerings, please visit our web site www.glenmorangie.com. Alternatively, we are here at the end of the line on 01862 892477 or email tshop@glenmorangie.co.uk where we will be delighted to take your call or email.
The Glenmorangie Company advocates responsible drinking. Please savour our whiskies in moderation. Correct at time of print for 2021.
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OCTOBER 2021
OCTOBER 2021
NIGG HOUSE SHARE
IN THIS ISSUE Community council minutes Local news and notes St. Duthac Book & Arts Festival Tain Task Force Volunteering In Memory / Rotary News Pictures: TCD Dance Tain Breweries pt II Tain Tennis Annual Tournament Youth Football Through the Lens with Mark Janes Football News Nostalgia with Alex Graham
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Editors - Niall Harkiss & Lucy Veals Email info@tainpost.co.uk Tel 01862 857366 | Mob 07527 134574 Subscribe online - www.tainpost.co.uk call 07527 134574 or email info@tainpost.co.uk Digital archive - www.tainpost.co.uk/archive or issuu.com/tainpost
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House sharer wanted in the Nigg area to live with ‘Young At Heart’ 82 year old gentleman in his own home from around the beginning of October. Beautiful en-suite room with countryside views. Rent amount is inclusive of utility bills. The ideal tenant will be a sociable person between the age of 35 and 60 who is looking for a reasonably long term occupancy. References will be required. Please contact 07943 449731 for further details.
Does your business have a website? Can your customers (and potential customers) find you on the web? Is your website secure and compatible with modern devices? If you need help modernising and updating your website and establishing an online presence using social media, please give me a call on 01862 857366 or send an email to:
niall.harkiss@kandnconcepts. co.uk
Niall Harkiss, K & N Concepts Ltd
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TAIN COMMUNITY COUNCIL
COMMUNITY COUNCIL MINUTES Minutes of the virtual Community Council of the Royal Burgh of Tain meeting held on 30th August 2021 at 7.30 pm in the Council Chamber, Tain. ATTENDEES Mr G Amos (Chair) Mr A Mohan (Vice-Chair) Mr G Holdsworth Mr D Macrae (Treasurer) Mr Louden – Highland Councillors YOUTH REPORT It was noted that Mr Nutt previously circulated a comprehensive report from the Youth Café. Mr Amos thanked Mr Nutt and all the staff for all the hard work they are doing. TAIN AND DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT TRUST Mr Macrae reported that the outside scaffolding is down from the Old Picture House and work continues inside. The Easter Ross Peninsular Group is going
to be looking at tourism management for the area and the first meeting will be 1st September, and are looking for more volunteers. The community markets are well supported, as well as a successful Food Festival. There is still ongoing discussions on the TDDT relocating to the Duthac Centre in November when the lease is up on the present building. HIGHLAND COUNCILLOR’S REPORT Mr Louden reported that he had attended the following meetings – Highland Opportunity Board, Climate Change Committee (where a Climate Change Emergency was declared), and looking at allotments), Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Ward Business Meetings, Nigg Liaison group, Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Committee, Easter Ross Committee, Tain 3-18 Campus Steering Group
(swimming pool option still in limbo), Community Planning Partnership. Mr Louden is working a lot with Made in Tain. COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITY Denise Campbell-Tykes reported that she was at the meeting for the Dance School in Tain. Approximately 140 children are attending each week. They normally are self-financing but due to COVID their was much less funding raising done. It was agreed that there would be further discussions with Mr Louden and Mr Macrae from TDDT. CHAIR’S REPORT Mr Amos reported that £50 had been made at the recent community Market towards the Old Folks party. Issues brought up at the market was the lack of toilets and disabled access to toilets. It was noted that Mr Rhind and Mrs Robertson are working
on this issue. Mr Amos and David McAllister plus Grant cut back and cleaned the Pond at the Links. Noted that the Alexander Bridge have some repairs that need investigating – Mr Louden to speak to HC about this matter. There was a discussion on the oysters in the Firth, and it was agreed to invite a representative from Glenmorangie to the next meeting. Mr Amos has received information about the Queens Green Canopy, a tree planting initiative for her Jubilee. It was agreed to ask the community where the trees may be planted if we receive the free ones. It was noted that there are travellers on the Link and complaints had been received. Next meeting of the Beinn Tharsuinn Community Ltd is 12 October. Mr Amos invited people to consider nominations for the turning on of the Christmas Lights on 30 November.
LOCAL NEWS AND NOTES SHEILA MUNRO RETIREMENT Tain & District Museum shared the news this past month that manager Sheila Munro has retired from her role after almost twenty years of involvement with the museum. In a statement on their Facebook page, they said: “No one has given more to our museum over this time and Sheila deserves far more than we can give her. So, we hope she
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enjoys her well-earned retirement and does not mind the inevitable phone call from us over the next few months.” YOUTH CAFE CHAIRMAN RECOGNISED Congratulations go to Tain & District Youth Cafe Chairman Peter Berry (pictured right) who was awarded the Sir George Williams Medal this month, the highest award in the YMCA. The award is named after the founder of the YMCA, who gave birth to the the association in 1844. TAIN & DISTRICT FIELD CLUB Tain & District Field Club re-started field trips and walks in April this year. Since then we have had an outdoor event every month. In September we had a leisurely stroll around Inver Bay followed by an excellent lunch at The Inver Inn. Last winter we were not able to hold any
indoor meetings but the committee has drawn up a winter programme of talks for autumn 2021 and spring 2022. Many of these will be held as ZOOM meetings. The AGM and first talk took place on Tuesday 21st Septmeber with David McAllister, founder and present
Chair of the club, giving a presentation on TDFC the first 41 Years. One of the advantages of the ZOOM talk was that we were joined by members and friends from Central Scotland and the North of England as well as the local members. TDFC 2021-22 Winter
Programme 21/09/21 Tuesday AGM followed by TDFC the first 41 Years. David McAllister (TDFC) 12/10/21 Tuesday Seven Years and Seven Species. Andy Howard (Andy Howard Nature Photography)
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09/11/21 Tuesday The North Coast a Botanical Odyssey. Ian Evans (Assynt Field Club) 14/12/21 Tuesday A Sea Monster’s Tale:the Basking Shark in Scotland through the Ages Colin Speedie. (Wave Action) 25/01/22 Tuesday The Law of the Sea; Ocean Health and Our Well-being. Prof. Elisa Morgera (Strathclyde University) 08/02/22 Tuesday Effect of Forestry Operations on Red Squirrels. Louise deRaad (UHI) 07/03/22 Monday Microplastics Kirsty Crawford (Marine Conservation Society) Details of whether meetings will be ZOOM or Face-to-Face will be announced on our website and Facebook pages about 1 week before each meeting: http://tainfieldclub.org. uk https://www.facebook. com/tain.fieldclub FLU CLINICS - TAIN & FEARN AREA MEDICAL PRACTICE We have made a change to how we invite patients to our flu clinics this year. The model used for our Covid vaccination clinics was so successful that we have decided to use this for the flu clinics. You will therefore not receive a letter from the practice but instead will receive a phonecall when it is your time to be invited in for your flu vaccination. As per the Covid model
TAIN COMMUNITY
we will be contacting patients in the order of the most elderly and vulnerable patients first and working our way down the patient list. We will start with the Over 75 year old patients and then the 65 - 74 year olds, followed by patients classed as clinically At Risk between the ages of 16 and 64 years old (including unpaid carers) and finally the 50 to 65 year old patients. Pre-school children will also be invited by practices. If you are housebound, and unable to attend the health centre for medical reasons, please contact reception and you will be added to the NHS Highland housebound vaccination team list. PLEASE DO NOT PHONE THE PRACTICE TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS FOR THE FLU VACCINATION. This ties up the phone lines for other patients trying to get through for urgent medical issues. You will be contacted by one of the practice team over the next few weeks who will advise you of a date and time and which entrance of the building you need to come to. Please do not attend the Health Centre if you are unwell or have any symptoms of Covid or have been in contact with anyone who has. Thank you. ‘SAVE A LIFE’ FIRST AID TRAINING The next date for the Tain & District Development Trust ‘Save A Life’ first aid course is Saturday 9 October. The class will run at the Community Hub on Stafford Street, from 10am until approx. 3pm. The course cost is £10.
The ‘Save a Life Course’ covers CPR, how to use a defib; bleeding, burns, choking, heart attack, stroke, seizures, recovery position, asthma and anaphylaxis. This course is open to individuals only. To book your place please email Nickey@tainddtrust.com BALINTORE POST OFFICE REPRIEVE Good news for Balintore: Temporary Post Office services will be available in the Seaboard Hall from October 18th from 10am12pm, Monday to Friday, thanks to the Alness postmaster. MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, Jamie Stone said on Facebook: “Well done to the wonderful l o c a l campaigners for ensuring this lifeline s e r v i c e stays in the community!” The news follows a press release in September
which announced that the branch was due to close on October 21st, “, following the resignation of their retail Partner and the withdrawal of the premises for Post Office use”. ST. DUTHUS FOOTBALL CLUB SEEKING KIT MAN St. Duthus FC are looking for a volunteer to join their senior first team as a kit manager, looking after matchday and training teamwear, kit and equipment. Email committee@ stduthusfc.co.uk or call 07527134574.
Tain & District Branch Cats Protection Telephone: (0345) 371 2737 Email: taincats@aol.com www.tain.cats.org.uk
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BOOK AND ARTS FESTIVAL
PICTURES: ST. DUTHAC BOOK & ARTS FESTIVAL Credit: Michael Gallagher of Twistyfoldy and Mark Janes Photography The cast of Tain Amateur Dramatic Association
Sally Magnusson
Liz Treacher at the Underground
Gordon Morrison
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BOOK AND ARTS FESTIVAL Graham Rooney at Platform 1864
Music Fyne perform at the Collegiate Church A selection of books in Tain Post Office window
Laura Kirk at The Art Room Helen Sedgewick (right) with Mary Fleming
Brodie at Glasstorm
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BOOK AND ARTS FESTIVAL
Philip Paris
Archie & Anne Macarthur
All Join In with Lorna at Edderton Hall
Sally Magnusson and the St. Duthac Book & Arts Festival Team
Mad Hatters party guests at Greens’ restaurant
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TAIN TASK FORCE VOLUNTEERING I think everyone will agree that the Tain flowers have been magnificent this year. So it is always a sad day when the baskets have to come down, but with autumnal wind and cold they deteriorate quite quickly. On Tuesday 28th September a group of Tain Task Force volunteers got together to take down this years displays. Thanks to all who helped on the evening and special thanks to the Fire Service, Billy & the cherry picker and Colin with his tractor, with out them this would not be possible. Also a big thankyou to all who have volunteered to plant, weed and water the baskets, planters and Rose Garden throughout the season. It made a real difference to the town. Lastly a really big thank-you the Trisha and Grant Torrance who do all the organisation of the Task Force work.
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IN MEMORY KAYMAK (TAIN) Ozan Kaymak, aged 17 years, dearly loved son of Natalie and Sevki. Loving brother of Grace, Lewis and Sivan, adored grandson of Liz and much loved by all the extended family and friends. BAIRD (TAIN) Andrew “Andy” Baird, Tain, doting partner of Linda Newlands, loving father of Natalia and Andrew, youngest brother to Denise, Karen and Thomas. BISSET (EMBO/DORNOCH) Very suddenly in Raigmore Hospital, Inverness on Monday 6 September 2021, Gary Peter Bisset, aged 51 years, “Springwell Cottage” 2 Hall Street, Embo (delivery driver with Menzies), dearly loved partner of Nancy, much loved father to Siobhan and Jake, loving son of June and Peter and also Heather and a dear friend and work colleague to many. Very sadly missed. ROSS (BALINTORE/TAIN) Very suddenly but peacefully in Mull Hall Care Home, Barbaraville, Invergordon on Thursday 9 September 2021, Helen Morrison Vass, aged 90 years, 22 Ross Crescent, Balintore. Beloved wife of the late Dickson, dearly loved mother of John and Andrew, loving mother-in-law of Norma and Margaret, much loved granny of Irene, Claire, Victoria, Calum and the late
Kevin, adoring Great Granny of Jack, Maisie, Andie, Charlie and Harry and loved by all the extended family and friends.
SHINE A LIGHT
An update from Tain & Easter Ross Rotary
MACANGUS (Tain) Anne Ross Macangus (nee Murray) of Tain, formerly Balintore, passed away peacefully, with her family by her side, at Raigmore Hospital, on Sunday, 12th September, 2021, following a long illness, bravely borne, aged 64 years. Beloved wife of Don, cherished mum of Claire and Craig, devoted granny to her truly adored granddaughter Caelinn Angel Anne, much loved sister of Sandy, Liz, David and Donna and a wonderful selfless friend to so many. HADDEN (TAIN) On Tuesday, 21st September, 2021, Alexander Hadden, 59 years of age, passed away at Raigmore Hospital, after a long illness, with his loving wife and his sitter by his side. Beloved husband of Julie and much loved dad to Munro. The sky has gained another STAR! MACKENZIE (BALMUCHY) Peacefully, on Thursday, 2nd September, 2021, at Lawson Memorial Hospital, Golspie, Jessie, aged 93 years, beloved wife of the late Christopher, dearly loved mother of Gilbert and mother-in-law to Ina, devoted gran to Charlene and Gillian, a great-granny to Riley and a very good friend to many.
Hi everyone from Tain and Easter Ross Rotary. We hope you are safe and well and finding reasons to be cheerful. Rotary loves to support and encourage communities at home and further afield. That’s why, this Halloween, we are organising, for a second year in a row, the ‘Shine a Light’ window decorating event. “Shine a Light” took place for the first time last year when restrictions made guising impossible. Instead, people all across Tain and the Seaboard villages decorated their windows, which looked good in the dark. The idea was that families - and everyone really - could wander safely to look at everyone’s decorated windows; it was a great success. Guising may or may not be back on this year - we hope it is! - but we’d like to invite everyone to join in by decorating a window too. There will be prizes for the following categories: Scary, Funny and Nature, but it’s really just about having fun and lighting up the dark nights. Photos of your decorated window can be sent by message to our Facebook page @shinealightontain which you can follow now for instant inspiration! The event will run from the 18th to 31st October with winners being announced on Halloween weekend. We want the event to be as inclusive as possible so art packs will soon be available on a ‘pay if you can’ basis. These will include black paper, for making silhouettes or outlines, and coloured tissue paper. All sorts of materials can be put to use on your window though - just give it a go! If anyone would like to help in any way we’d be pleased to hear from you. Maybe you’d like to help us hold a workshop in your area for everyone to try out ideas together? Maybe you could draw a map of the decorated windows round about you to help others find them? Maybe you’d like to set up a ‘hot chocolate stop’ on your street to warm folk up while they’re out looking at the windows? Or maybe you have an idea we’ve not thought of yet! We’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch through our Facebook page or by calling or emailing me, Carol Anne, on 01862 892292 or ca.parker76@icloud.com. Take care - and don’t forget to shine a light! Carol Anne Porter, President, Tain and Easter Ross Rotary.
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TRUMBLE DANCE
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TCD DANCERS SHINE AT DUTHAC CENTRE
On 18th September the dancers of TCD Tain finally got their chance to shine on the stage of the Duthac Centre. It was 3rd time lucky as the shows had been postponed twice dur to covid restrictions. The 2pm show saw the pre-school and Infant pupils dance and show off their routines in fabulous costumes what little stars they all
were. Come 7pm and the it was the turn of the Junior and Senior dancers to shine - again fabulous costumes and routines in Ballet, Tap, Lyrical, Streetdance and Cheer were displayed. Jan - Principal at TCD said she was delighted with the turn out (limited numbers allowed to ensure safety) and was so pleased that the dancers could finally get back up
on stage. Her thanks go to her fabulous team of teachers who have been amazing during the past 18 months.
Next up for the TCD Dancers is exams and hopefully some competitions.
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BREWERIES IN TAIN PART 2
TAIN BREWERIES – PART 2
So, as far as brewing in Tain is concerned, it was, from 1849 onwards, concentrated in the Tain/ Springfield Brewery. Daniel/Donald F Mackenzie continued as tenant/occupier of Tain Brewery, living in one of the brewery houses. In the 1851 Census he is described as a “farmer, 24 acres, & brewer, employing 5 men”. Also part of his household was his nephew, Robert, described as “Brewer Manager.” Then in February 1858 the Lease for the Tain Brewery and adjoining farm, “presently occupied by Mr Donald Mackenzie, brewer”, were to be disposed of by ‘Private Bargain’. Either Donald himself provided the highest offer, or no other offers were received, as the Valuation Rolls indicate he was still tenant till 1860/61 when
he died aged about 56 years. Although I have not been able to establish exactly when, it may well be that the brewery had actually stopped producing ale at this point. In 1861, “that portion of Tain Burgage Lands, the property of the Duke of Sutherland” consisting of “30 acres pasture, 29 acres arable” plus “brewery premises (note not actually referred to as a brewery) and dwelling house,” were put up for let. The Valuation Rolls from now on give the location as “Blarleath”. An entry, dated 18678, in the Scottish Name Book, says “This name is applied to a long narrow piece of level ground extending from Springfield Brewery to Morangie along the margin of the Dornoch Firth.” Part of this can be seen on the 1854 map
extract. The person who now took on the lease of the land and brewery was a James Farquhar. James and his brother, Robert, were tailors/clothiers in the High Street so unlikely to be actively farming or brewing. Presumably, a farm manager was employed if the land was being worked. Strangely, the occupier of the brewery from this point, according to the Valuation Rolls, was Edmond (sometimes Edward A) Farquhar, Robert’s son. I say “strangely” because in the 1861 Census, James’ nephew is boarding with a family in Inverness and given as a grocer and I can find no trace of him in the 1871 Census either in Tain or Inverness. Perhaps after the 1861 Census date, he returned to Tain and lived in the brewery
house. He was only 18 years in 1861 and had no brewing experience. If he did return and lived at the brewery, he must have moved somewhere out with the area before the 1871 Census. An Edward A Farquhar, the right age, does show up in Wiltshire! Sometimes researches raise questions as well as answers. However, yet again in October 1869, the brewery and lands were up for lease – referred to as the Springfield Brewery, the name given to it on the 1871 map. In November 1869, another notice announced the “Displenishing sale, farm stock and implements, Springfield Brewery Farm”. Again there is only reference to brewery “premises” not as a brewery as such and from this point more usually only in terms of “land attached to the brewery”. The incoming tenant was Donald Fraser, grocer and wine merchant on the High Street, who owned the adjoining Mayfield property (see 1854 map extract). Again it seems highly unlikely he would have operated a brewery. The property was variously referred to as 3 lots – land attached to the Brewery; Blarleath; houses & Offices, Blarleath – for all of which Donald Fraser was tenant until 1978 when “the small farm and brewery premises and the dwelling house and offices known as “The Braes” adjoining, and partly within, the Burgh of Tain and presently occupied by Mr Donald Fraser, merchant” were this time put up for sale.
BREWERIES IN TAIN PART 2
Presumably Donald Fraser was the purchaser as the Valuation Rolls afterwards lists him as proprietor. After Donald died in 1881, the property consisting again of 3 lots - referred to as land, Blarleath; land Mayfield and Blarleath, house and offices Blarleath were tenanted and then owned by members of the Fraser family starting with Donald’s son, Hugh Munro Fraser. In the late 1880s, the word “brewery” is no longer mentioned in the Valuation Rolls. Some of the buildings at the brewery site remained. Comparing the 1854 map extract to the one from 1870, it is obvious that the brewery buildings built by J Norie and Company had been extended. By the beginning of the 20th Century, some of the original buildings had already disappeared. The following appeared in the Ross-shire Journal, dated 16/8/1968 – “The old steading buildings at Blarliath* Farm, Tain, which more than a century ago were used as a brewery, have now been converted into a gleaming modern hygienic Cheese factory”. The Blarleath site once more became a place of industry. [*The Blarliath spelling seems to be favoured in more recent times. I have used the historical version used in all the references I came across in my research and as given on Ordnance Survey maps.] Margaret Urquhart
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OLD FILE: MORRISON MENS’ RETIREMENT
The picture above was taken the end of June 1992 in Inverness at a building site constructing houses for the Albyn Housing Society, where Donnie MacAskill Tain and Alistair Wilson Inver were presented with retirement gifts. Some of the boys on site painted and put lights on a wheelbarrow for Donnie MacAskill standing on the right. A lot of the Morrison men in the picture had arrived from other project sites to wish them well. The Morrison men were a close knit unit. - Contributed by Alexander Sutherland.
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TAIN TENNIS
Letter from Liz
TAIN TENNIS ANNUAL TOURNAMENT
I’m sure by now readers will know I love Tain books. I got the Tower Street book this week, very interesting it was too. I worked for the milk marketing board at 3 Tower Street from 1965-1966 when I left school as a book keeper, along side Margaret Mackenzie, Ardgay, and Peggy Bain. Mr Ross was Manager. Sam Knox was the mechanic. He had his wee work shop down the bottom of Shore Road. The milkmen were Alfie Ferguson, Joe Ubych, Jack Duff, Andy Ross, Hubert Sellar, Donnie Macleod, and Dad, who had a electric milk van. He used to pick me up half way round his round, and I would help deliver his milk. There are probably milk men I can’t remember. I do remember them loading their vans at the back of the M.M.B. I remember the Stouts of the St Duthus Hotel. Isobel was one girl. I also remember Mrs Wright, she had a China shop on Tower Street and lived at No 2 Esther Place. We had moved to Esther Place in 1955. Gosh, how time goes in... It took me two minutes to get to school across the road to the academy. I have two prints on my wall. One of Tower Street, one of the swing bridge which I got when we had the book shop on the High Street. Lastly, many thanks to Sheila Munro at the Tain Museum for getting books to us. She has been an excellent help and is retiring soon, so a BIG THANKS. I hope her next person Jason is as good! Good wishes to all, Liz Craig
In perfect Tennis playing weather the 2021 Finals Day commenced in the morning with the Mixed Doubles with the reigning Champions Joanie and Dave Whiteford taking on Sarah Marr and Gordon Brown. This turned out to be a very long, but enjoyable match with both pairs in ascendancy at times only to be pulled back by the other pair. The first set went to Joanie and Dave Whiteford 6-4 but Sarah Marr and Gordon Brown fought back to win the second set 6-4. The third and Final set was fought very hard with Gordon and Sarah getting a 5-2 lead and it looked like we would now have a new Mixed Doubles Champions, but the Whiteford’s would have none of that by winning the next 5 games on the trot to win the set 7-5. A very entertaining game provided by both pairs. We then had a lovely Buffet Lunch. Thanks to all those who provided the food, and thanks also to Eveline Waring for looking after us. Straight after Lunch the Ladies and Men’s Singles Final took place. On Court One last years Champion, Martin Treacher was once again playing against 15yrs old Marcus McAuley. In the first set Marcus played some fine tennis and won 6-1. In the second set Martin upped his game and returned everything Marcus could throw at him eventually winning the Second set 6-4. In the third set Martin really turned it on and won comfortably 6-0. A great game to watch – well done both of you.
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The Ladies Singles Final was played on Court Two with Joanie Whiteford taking on Sarah Marr. Joanie was fired up from her Mixed Doubles Finals victory and continued playing some excellent Tennis making it difficult for Sarah to win many points. Joanie eventually won 6-0, 6-2. Incredibly this is the 25th occasion that Joanie has won the
Ladies Singles Final Title. After these matches there were the two Double Matches to play. The Ladies Double between the pairing of Joanie Whiteford and Jackie Neill against Susan Gunn and Sarah Marr. This was an evenly fought match, but the more experienced pairing of Joanie and Jackie eventually
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won 6-2, 6-3 despite the stout resistance put up by Susan and Sarah. The Men’s Doubles consisted of Gordon Brown and 15 yrs. old Marcus McAuley playing against Scott Fraser and even younger 13 yrs. old Kyle Corbett. Every point in every game was very evenly fought with some superb and sometimes outstanding shots being played. It was great to see how well the two Juniors played, especially Kyle who was so much
smaller than the others, but made up for this in Talent. The first set was eventually won by Gordon and Marcus 7-5, Scott and Kyle then fought back strongly to win the Second set 6-3. In the Third and Final Set, Gordon and Marcus stepped up their game and eventually ran out winners 6.1. A really great game to finish the day with. Trophies, Medals etc. were presented to the Winners and Runners-up by the Club President,
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Bruce Rose. Also awarded to Mark McAuley was a Quiche for the most Improved Player 2021. Tain Tennis Club is now open and is looking for new members. A 50% reduction of the Membership Fees covering from now to the end of March 2022 is being offered. There is also facility to pay by monthly Direct Debit. Full details and contacts can be found on the Tain Tennis Club Website Tain LTC/Home. (cont. on page 12)
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Due to the significant increase in our Junior Section it was decided to split the categories into 8 and Under, 10 and Under, 14 and Under and 18 and Under and the tournament took place over two days last weekend. The 8&U Boys singles had 6 taking part playing a round robin, the winner was Ethan and runner up Ryan Sutherland. The 10&U boys singles had 5 players, they played a round robin and the winner was Brodie Murray and runner up Ryan Sutherland. The 14&U Boys Singles and Doubles took place with 8 boys. The winner of the singles was Kieran Allan and runner up was Kyle Corbett. In the Doubles Kyle/Archie won against Kieran/Fraser. The 18&U boys singles had four boys taking part, this was won by Marcus McAuley in a high quality final against Kieran Allan in a match tiebreak. The 18&U boys doubles was won by Kyle/Kieran against Marcus/Liam. Well done to all who took part, it was great to see so many entrants. The standard of tennis was excellent, and lets hope that next year so girls enter too, as there are prizes waiting to be won. Our thanks go to Scott Fraser for organising the tournament this year.
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YOUTH FOOTBALL
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TAIN JUNIORS NUMBERS ON THE RISE In recent weeks Tain Juniors Football Club have seen their numbers steadily grow. It is really encouraging that so many boys and girls are showing a real interest in football. We are also pleased to support some secondary school pupils in achieving their saltire awards. We have several volunteers helping each week at training now which is of great help to us all. On 12th September some of our P4/5 and P6/7 groups travelled to Smithton to play friendly games against Thistle Colts. All the teams did fantastically well, and Tain Juniors won all their games scoring some fantastic goals in the process. Children, parents and coaches all had an enjoyable afternoon. We have a busy period coming up over the coming months with various friendly games and also the McDonalds Festivals which start early October (Dates and locations TBC). We hope to give all the children opportunities to compete in these tournaments to continue their development. - Gary Ross, Club Chairman, Tain Juniors F.C.
SAINTS U18S DRAW WITH BUCKIE
Saints striker Ross McDermid grabbed the all-important equaliser at Buckie.
St. Duthus Under 18s picked up their first point of the Highland League North 202122 season thanks to a good performance away to Buckie Thistle in September. Cian Martin gave the Young Saints the lead after 23 minutes, before Buckie equalised 12 minutes later. It was 1-1 at the break and the scoring kicked into action after the restart. Buckie took the lead on the hour mark and a penalty award just two minutes later saw them extend their lead to 3-1. This could have easily left
Saints in disarray but they showed great resilience to pull a goal back through Johnie Beattie just 9 minutes later. Buckie kept the pressure on by going 4-2 ahead on 75 minutes, but just two minutes later Saints kept the fight going with a goal from Ben Loy. The game continued into injury time and the comeback was completed on 92 minutes when St. Duthus substitute Ross McDermid found the net to make it 4-4. A memorable outing and a good result at a difficult away venue.
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MARK JANES - THROUGH THE LENS
ISSUE #45 PHOTOGRAPHING THE ST DUTHAC BOOK AND ARTS FESTIVAL Generally speaking, I don’t do a lot of commercial photography. Most of my income comes from teaching and sales of prints and digital licenses. Likewise I tend not to have the patience to work with and photograph people, usually preferring subjects that don’t blink at the wrong moment such as trees and the night sky! So it was with some trepidation that I agreed when Michael Gallacher and I were asked to volunteer as official photographers for the recent St Duthac Book and Arts Festival. As it turned out, I had a thoroughly good time attending many of the superbly organised talks and events, and capturing shots of the various speakers in action; some famous, others less so. Of course, capturing the reaction of the audiences, and the behind-thescenes work of the many volunteers was just as important and rewarding. It struck me that this is a type of photography I enjoy more than I thought I would, but also that some of the skills needed to produce good images are transferrable to many other forms of photography, such as photographing family events or even weddings. So here are a few tips for this kind of work, based on the successes I had and the mistakes I made! 1. PREPARE FOR LOW LIGHT Unless you can use flash (I didn’t), chances are you will be working with low light
levels indoors. Even an interior well-lit by natural light is considerably darker than being outside. Set your ISO high and use as wide an aperture as possible, to keep your shutter speed as high as you can. Someone giving a speech or an audience reacting to a joke can move more than you expect and, if you want sharp pictures, you’ll need a good shutter speed. 2. GET AS CLOSE AS YOU CAN Fortunately, I was given a “magic lanyard” which got me close to the action, but even if you are just a member of the public, it’s worth arriving at an event early and thinking
about a spot where you can photograph the event without becoming a disruption. Being at the front also means you can swing around and photograph the audience as well as the speaker. Do check with the venue and speaker that it’s OK to take photos. 3. LOOK FOR STORYTELLING MOMENTS Some of the best storytelling moments at an event happen in the background; two people having a conversation, people being welcomed, book-sales, a child’s costume being adjusted, etc. Look out for these as well as the main action.
4. MAKE YOUR SUBJECTS LOOK GOOD! None of us is perfect, and even the most experienced presenter can sometimes be caught off-guard with a scowl or weird facial expression. Take time to look for the subject at their best. It might be responding to a question, pointing something out, laughing; anything that shows them as a vivacious, positive human being! It may be useful to set your camera to “burst-mode”, so you take several shots in quick succession when you press the shutter, then you can choose the best one. 5. WATCH YOUR FOCUS Indoor low-light conditions can be difficult for our
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MARK JANES - THROUGH THE LENS
cameras’ auto-focus systems, and you may find the camera “hunting” for focus just at the crucial moment. Consider switching to manual focussing, and maybe even use “Zone Focussing”, where you anticipate where the person is going to be standing, and focus there. (This also works well for photographing birds on perches and feeders). Whatever event you are photographing, this type of photography gets better with practise. As your photography improves, you may get the call to photograph a friend’s or family-member’s wedding or other major life-event. If you want to do this well, make sure you’re ready by getting plenty of practice in. So, get into the habit of taking your camera to local events, concerts, etc. Always check with the organisers but, in my experience, many are happy for you to take photos, provided you don’t cause a nuisance and especially if you’re prepared to donate a few for their website in
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THROUGH THE LENS MARK JANES
exchange for being credited as the photographer. I’ll close by offering a hearty “congratulations” to the organisers, many volunteers and participants in the inaugural St Duthac Book and Arts Festival. Very much looking forward to next years!
Did you like this article? Why not email me and let me know what you’d like to see covered in future issues. If you’ve got any questions about the settings on your camera, email me those too and we’ll see if we can put them together into a “Q&A” section.
If you’re a Facebook user, why not join our online photoclub? (Tain and District Online Photo Club) we’d love to see your pictures there. markjanesphotographer@ gmail.com.
TAIN & DISTRICT GARDENERS’ CLUB Tain & District Gardeners’ Club has not been holding meetings recently. However, in the fine weather at the end of August some members got together for a chat, some cake and fizz in Heather McAllister’s garden at Springfield. We will not be holding indoor meetings until spring 2022 but you can keep in touch with other information about the club on our Facebook page located at: https://www.facebook.com/TainGardeners-Club).
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ST. DUTHUS FOOTBALL CLUB
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FIXTURES/RESULTS 2021-22
SAINTS BROTHERS BOW OUT AFTER CENTENARY
There was cause for celebration and sadness in September for all at St. Duthus Football Club. Just one week after brothers Stuart and Andrew Ross were recognised for reaching 100 games as co-managers of the club, it was with a heavy heart that they tendered their resignations, drawing to an end a five year spell in the hot seats. Marking their 100th competitive game in charge, Stuart and Andrew, along with physio Ian Christie, were presented with hand poured bottles of Balblair whisky, gifted to them by the club committee before their September 21st game against Inverness Athletic. On the day itself, the football was a big success, as Saints picked up their first victory of the season with a 4-2 win over their Inverness visitors. Team captain Ben Bruce was the star of the show, collecting the Man of the Match award as well as netting two of the four St. Duthus goals. Jake Lockett and trialist Daniel Christie scored the others. The joy of winning was short lived, however, as Saints fell to defeat once again just a week later, losing 3-2 to an in-form Loch Ness side at their temporary Fortrose home. Missing several key players including top scorer Ben Bruce and midfield
7/8 14/8 21/8 28/8 4/9 11/9 18/9 25/9 2/10 9/10 23/10 30/10 6/11 13/11 20/11 27/11 4/12 11/12 18/12 8/1 15/1 22/1 29/1 12/2 19/2 26/2
man Ross Tokely, the result was unsurprising - but few expected the fallout to come on the Monday after, when managers Stuart Ross and Andrew Ross tendered their resignations to chairman Niall Harkiss. Speaking to the press during the week, Stuart Ross said, “We set out to reinstate North Caledonian League football to Tain after not having it for many years, and of course to follow in the footsteps of our father, Tommy, who sadly passed away in 2017 with dementia. We grew up in Tain and in the 1990s my dad ran the team. The pitch the team plays on now is the one my dad fought to get control of for Tain St Duthus, which is Grant Park. My dad had it all laid out and seeded, but football just died away in Tain. The main idea for myself and Andrew was to complete what Dad had started. I think we, along with chairman Niall Harkiss and the committee, is we have set the foundations for the club moving forward.” Following Stuart and Andrew’s sudden departure, the club quickly installed coaches Alan Geegan and Justin Rogers as caretakers. Club chairman Niall Harkiss said on the club’s website this week;
Nairn Co. (A) Fr. 2-1 Alness Utd (A) Fr. 5-1 Nairn Co. (A) Lge 2-3 Halkirk Utd (H) Lge 4-4 Bonar Br. (A) Lge 2-3 Halkirk Utd (H) FT Cup R1 0-4 Inverness (H) Lge 4-2 Loch Ness (A) Lge 2-3 Invergordon (A) Lge 1-1 Alness Utd (H) Lge TBC Lge Orkney (H) Lge Thurso (A) Lge Invergordon (H) Lge Golspie S. (H) Lge Nairn Co. (H) Lge Halkirk Utd (A) Lge Bonar Br. (H) Lge Inverness (A) Lge Inverness (A) NC Cup R1 Loch Ness (H) Lge Alness Utd (A) Lge TBC NC Cup QF Orkney (A) Lge TBC NC Cup SF Thurso (H) Lge
“It was with a lot of sadness that we said goodbye to two passionate members of the club in Stuart and Andrew this week. The foundations they have helped to establish at the club over the past five years are plain to see, and the club will be forever indebted to them for that.” “The fixture calendar affords us no time to contemplate though, and we are very pleased that we have Alan and Justin here to help us move forward. As coaches, they know the team and the players well and most importantly they have the determination to do well for St. Duthus. I know the players want to get the season on the right track too. It’s now also up to us as a committee, along with our supporters, to get behind them all and will them on.” The interim management team face a busy October, with only one week of respite on the 16th. They begin with an away trip to play Invergordon on the 2nd and another local derby at Tain against Alness United on the 9th. That is followed with that it likely to be a league match on the 23rd and a home meeting with Orkney. Further information can be found on the club’s official website at stduthusfc.co.uk
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NOSTALGIA WITH ALEX GRAHAM
NOSTALGIA WITH ALEX GRAHAM
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