Issue #226 | Tain & District Picture Post | September 2019

TAIN & DISTRICT PICTURE POST

ISSUE NO. 226

NMT Awards. More inside!

SEPTEMBER 2019

PRICE £1.95

Duncan Farmer, Thomas Mulraine and Andrew Adamson won the Northern Bowling League’s Hugh Sutherland triples in an all St. Duthus Bowling Club final against Alan Cockell, James Cameron and Ian Macleod.

THIS MONTH: LOCAL NEWS AND UPDATES TRA - CLASS OF 1979!

MARGARET URQUHART ON LONDON HOUSE (PART 2) ALEX GRAHAM HEALTH MATTERS OLD FILE ST. DUTHUS BOWLING CLUB TAIN AMATEUR SWIMMING CLUB AMATEUR AND YOUTH FOOTBALL ST. DUTHUS FC North West Sutherland Amateur League champions Tain Thistle AFC stopped off in Dornoch PRE-SEASON UPDATE on their way back from a victorious trip to Lochinver to celebrate with teammate Chippie Mailley who had success of his own competing at Royal Dornoch Golf Club, retaining the COMMUNITY EVENTS 106th Carnegie Shield with a birdie on the 3rd extra hole.

EDITORIAL

THIS month’s edition of the Tain & District Picture

WELCOME TO

THE GLENMORANGIE DISTILLERY EXPERIENCE

GLENMORANGIE HOUSE

By the tranquil shores of the Dornoch Firth, amidst the golden barley fields that border the Royal Burgh of Tain, lies the Glenmorangie Distillery. Here you will find a warm Highland welcome from our select craftsmen, the Men of Tain. With skills passed down the generations, they have dedicated themselves to creating our exceptional single malt whisky for the last 175 years.

Set amongst the rolling barley fields of Easter Ross, our beloved Highland hideaway, Glenmorangie House, is more of a country house than a hotel. For over 25 years it has welcomed the world to its door, developing an international reputation for Highland hospitality along the way. The house is a magnificent reflection of everything that the word ‘Glenmorangie’ stands for – a retreat to peace and calm, a place for cherished moments.

Our tours offer an unparalleled insight into the Glenmorangie Distillery. Accompanied by our expert guides, you will journey through all stages of our award-winning whisky creation.

Tain, Ross-shire IV19 1PZ, Scotland t: 01862 892477 | e: tain-shop@glenmorangie.co.uk www.glenmorangie.com

Come and see for yourself what we mean by ‘Tranquillity Restored’….we guarantee you a warm Highland welcome!

Fearn, by Tain, Ross-shire IV20 1XP, Scotland t: 01862 871671 | e: relax@glenmorangie.co.uk www.theglenmorangiehouse.com

The Glenmorangie Company advocates responsible drinking. Please savour our whiskies in moderation.

Post sees us make a partial departure from the full colour format we have trialed over the past six months. As with all “experiments”, the feedback we have received has been mixed.

While the compliments we received on the introduction of colour were nothing but positive from all who have offered their thoughts - we were left much less convinced that raising the price of the magazine to accommodate this change in the long term would be the right thing to do for the Picture Post.

In short, we feel it is more important that the magazine is able to continue and be viable community magazine, than it is for us to risk turning away some readers who have been used to picking up their copy at a rate they have become accustomed to for many years. We hope that you will continue to support us.

We have been a little more active than usual at Picture Post HQ as we accompany our 7 year old son Harris on his sponsored efforts to complete 5K each day throughout September in aid of funds for MFR Cash for Kids. At the time of print he has got off to a fantastic start and has already beaten his fundraising goal. We’re very proud of him! To find out more or to consider donating to his cause please visit: https://www.cashforkidsgive.co.uk/campaign/mfr-cashfor-kids-faces-2019/fundraisers/harris-veals Finally, we, along with Nikki, Harris and Fraser would like to wish our Katie a very happy birthday for the 7th of September. 17 years old. Where have the years gone? We do assume though, that this means we’ll soon have a new designated driver!?

We hope you enjoy our September issue. Please do get in touch with your thoughts and comments, and of course any content you would like to share for October.

Tain & District Branch Cats Protection Telephone: (0345) 371 2737 Email: taincats@aol.com www.tain.cats.org.uk

SUBSCRIBE TO THE

TAIN & DISTRICT PICTURE POST £40 PER YEAR(DELIVERED)

Best wishes, Niall Harkiss & Lucy Veals Co-editors info@tainpost.co.uk

Please visit www.tainpost.co.uk for more information 3

LOCAL AREA NEWS An exciting evening took place at Tain Library on Thursday 8th August when they hosted the Book Launch of local cook Debbie Ross. Debbie moved to the Highlands in 2008 and worked in the community for 6 years years before setting up Highland Home Cook in 2015 - a successful business providing good home cooking for those who could not provide it for themselves. And then she had the brainwave of putting all those tried and tested recipes to greater use. For the past four years she has been putting together a stunning cookbook of healthy, easily sourced produce that can be made into tasty meals with no fuss or frills. No need to be a Masterchefin-the-making to be confident of creating superdelicious meals with help from Debbie’s book. The 18 people who attended can attest to Debbie’s good cooking as they devoured the cakes and brownies she brought along - all bakes from the cookbook.

‘We’re immensely proud of Debbie, who was in our library Writing Group at one time,’ said Clio Gray, library assistant at Tain Library and an author herself. ‘No one knows how hard it is to write a book unless you’ve tried it, and Debbie not only wrote this book but handcrafted the recipes, took all the photographs, as well as taking charge of publication and distribution.’

Says Debbie, ‘I’ve been inventing recipes and writing recipe books since I was 8 years old. Ive always had the imagination and enthusiasm if not the skills, and am never happier than when I’m in my pinny …..’

Debbie’s book can currently be bought direct from: The Dornoch bookshop, The Tain Bothy, The Tarbert Discovery Centre, Portmahomack, Ferrycroft Visitor Centre, Lairg, The Emporium Bookshop, Cromarty and the Highland Farm Cafe, Dingwall as well as from her own market stall. Other outlets to follow.

On Thursday 29th August, Easter Ross Musical Theatre held their first rehearsal for “All Shook up”. They also had the company of Katie Gibb from Highland Hospice. At their last show they collected £1,060.06 in a bucket collection which was donated to Highland Hospice.

EAST SUTHERLAND CAMERA CLUB

On Saturday 17th August Tain’s Hospice Shop reopened as a greatly expanded store.

The shop had been closed for refurbishment and to permit it to expand into the former Dry Cleaners next door.

The new shop is much brighter and more spacious.

On 22nd August, Tain Whist raised £53 for Alzheimers. Winners: Gents - 1st Linda Gallagher, 2nd Mike Gallagher, consolation Findlay Munro. Ladies - 1st Isobel Bain, 2nd Jean Lockhart, consolation Daisy Bell The next whist is on 19th September, all welcome.

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East Sutherland Camera Club starts its season on Tuesday 10 September at 7pm in Brora Community Centre with the first of many photography related talks and lots of stunning images on show.

The opening evening will have club members, Andy Kirby and Graeme Miller, presenting a photographic tour of Caithness and North Sutherland captured on their six day visit.

The club are delighted to welcome back Dr Bozena Kalejta-Summers on September 24 with a presentation titled ‘From Jaguars and Hummingbirds of Brazil to Flamingos and Lions of Southern Africa’. Bozena was a superb guest two seasons ago and seeing more of her stunning images is eagerly anticipated.

Also making a return to the club in November is Bryan Alexander with a talk and workshop discussion evening.

As well as seeing his wonderful work on ‘The Arctic Circle of Life’, Bryan will be sharing his extensive knowledge with club members in a workshop discussion

on ‘Shooting Stories and Photo Essays’.

The club will also be hosting evenings designed to help our members make the most of their photography with subjects including ‘Shooting Seascapes’, ‘Light Painting’ and ‘Street Photography’.

To encourage members to try new styles of photography the club run six competitions throughout the season, some are judged by external judges and some are judged by club members. Field trips and workshop evenings are also in the pipeline.

East Sutherland Camera Club has an exhibition of members’ work in Brora Library until 30 August which can be viewed during library opening times.

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New members are always welcome and are welcome to try out the club for a month before joining. To keep up to date with what’s happening in the club visit their website East Sutherland Camera Club or their Facebook page.

HISTORY OF LONDON HOUSE

Although the advert of 1896 says “the New Premises”, the building itself was certainly not new, possibly dating from the early/mid-1800s.

Prior to Macduff Ross moving in and naming it London House for the first time, it had housed other drapery establishments, notably that of John Macleod. John Macleod had been a merchant in Tain for 56 years and became Tain’s longest serving Provost. He died in 1878. Who succeeded him and who preceded A McDuff Ross is not yet known.

Macduff Ross was less than two years in his new premises when the following notice appeared in the Ross-shire Journal dated 19/8/1898 – “The Bank of Scotland, Tain, is to remove from its present office in Tower Gardens to the front of London House”. This was followed a few weeks later by another in the same paper to the effect that Macduff Ross was going to hold an “Alteration Sale ……to accommodate the Bank of Scotland” in part of his premises and he would “build an additional salon and

Part 2

Showroom for Millinery and Fancy Stock”.

C. 1913/14, the Bank of Scotland moved from London House Back to Tower Street but to a different building. Macduff Ross once again took over the whole building. The bank moved yet again in 1924 to what is now Forbes’ jewellery shop in Victoria buildings. A mosaic with the Bank of Scotland name can still be seen in the entrance [see Photo 5]. It finally ended up in its current location

once more in Tower Street.

A Macduff Ross – the “A” was for “Andrew” but his first name was seldom used – continued to ply his trade, surviving a Scottish Bankrupts’ Examination held in Glasgow in 1913, seemingly without any interruption to his business.

By the late 1920s/early 1930s the business was being advertised as “A Macduff Ross & Sons”, [as seen in photo 6] having been joined by his sons Alexander and Jack, who took over from their father for a while in the 1940s. A daughter also seems to have been involved in the business around this time. Latterly the upstairs was occupied by Geekie, dentist.

Andrew Macduff Ross died in 24/7/1941 at 5 Shandwick Street and the business had passed out of the family by the later 1940s, but for a generation of Tain residents London House continued to be synonymous with the name Macduff Ross and the legacy lives on today because two of the metal plates on the window sills still bear the inscription “A. Macduff Ross & Sons”. [Photo 7] The first firm to take over London House from the Macduff Rosses

was the Lochbroom Trading Company Limited who had two establishments in Tain – drapery/ fashions in London House and a Licensed Grocers & Provisions shop at 22 High Street (part of Victoria Buildings). Their occupancy of London House was relatively short and A J Paterson (known as Sandy Paterson) became the proprietor in the 1950s, as a Ladies’, Gents’ and Children’s outfitters & general drapers. It was during his time that another devastating fire took place in the High Street. This time it was in the premises next door to London House belonging to the firm of Wallace and Fraser, Ironmongers.

The pictures [Photos 8 &9] and the summary, below, from the report of the fire in the North Star dated 2/2/1957, show that London House had a lucky escape – Worst Fire of the Century in Tain – Terrifying Sight As Building Goes Up In Flames –The premises occupied by Messrs Wallace and Fraser, ironmongers, the oldest established business in Tain, were totally destroyed early on Tuesday morning in the burgh’s most disastrous fire of the century.

So fierce was the blaze that it threatened to engulf other property in High Street; fortunately, there was little or no wind, and four fire brigades, working unceasingly for

several hours, were successful in preventing further destruction but too late to save this building and efforts concentrated on adjoining property - Mr A J Paterson, draper [London House] and the adjacent building in Market Street, Clydesdale and North of Scotland Bank; the size of the building concerned and the inflammable nature of some of the goods stocked there, made the fire a spectacular and terrifying sight.

A paraffin store was situated in the

basement of the premises, and there was a considerable quantity of shotgun ammunition.

The Wallace & Fraser building was soon demolished and was eventually replaced by the Royal Bank of Scotland which opened for business

in 1965 but has recently been closed along with a good number of other RBS branch offices. Wallace & Fraser continued as a business in a reduced capacity in premises in Castle Brae, now part of Brown’s Gallery.

The final article will deal with the various changes in use of the London House building up to the present day.

Margaret Urquhart 6

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CLASSIFIEDS AGRICULTURAL Robertsons of Tain Shore Road Tel 01862 892276 ANIMALS Tain Cat Protection Tel 0345 3712737 Email jardij@aol.com Aileen’s Pet Exercise Pet Carer & Exerciser Tel 01862 892919 ARCHITECTS Blueprint Architecture Tel 01862 892900 info@blueprintarchitecture.com ARTS & CRAFTS The Shop Around the Corner Dornoch Tel 01862 811413 BAKERS Grants Bakery High Street, Tain Tel 01862 892315 BUTCHERS Highland Prime Village Store, Post Office / Butchers Tel 01862 832061 COMPUTER SERVICES Adept Open Source Solutions Ltd Tel 08707 609467 sales@adeptopensource.co.uk www.adeptopensource.co.uk CAFE Dornoch Patisserie & Cafe 1 High Street, Dornoch Tel 01862 811148 CHIMNEY SWEEPING Highland Chimney Sweep Services Tel 07811 237105 CONFECTIONERS Sweet Celebrations Ice Cream, Sweets, Hot Food Tel 01862 894125 COPY-EDITING, PROOF READING Michael Foster Email mdf66@hotmail.co.uk ESTATE AGENTS Georgeons Property Tel 01862 892555 FILLING STATIONS Gleaner Oils Tel 01862 (Tain) Tel 01862 (Skiach) FITNESS & EXERCISE Boogie Bounce Xtreme Tain Debbie Stainke Tel 07889 630919 FRUIT & VEGETABLES Empire Foods Contact Michael on 0790 095 8665 FUNERAL SERVICES Alasdair Rhind Tel 01862 892521 (Tain) Tel 01349 853322 (Invergordon) Tel 01862 810300 (Dornoch) Mackay & Macaskill Tel 01862 810492 (Dornoch) GARAGES, TYRES & AUTO Bannerman (Tain) Ltd Shore Road, Tain Tel 01862 892480 Evelix Service Station Tall Pines Restaurant, Evelix, Dornoch Tel 01862 811131 / 810968 Mackintosh Motors Auto Services & Bodywork The Garage, Station Road, Tain Tel 01862 894045 Godsman Tyres & Exhausts Ltd Blarliath Industrial Estate, Tain Tel 01862 892448 Fax 01862 893225 GARDEN SERVICES

Patrick Vickery (Aldie Burn Plants) Tel 01862 842346 GRAPHIC DESIGN Gavin Ward Design Associates Tel 07801 190234 www.gwda.co.uk HAIRDRESSERS Hair Design 18 Geanies Street, Tain Tel 01862 892228 HOTELS & RESTAURANTS The Royal Hotel High Street, Tain Tel 01862 892013 royalhoteltain@btconnect.com The Burghfield House Hotel Cnoc-an-Lobht, Dornoch, IV25 3HN Tel 01862 811006 www.burghfieldhouse.co.uk The Trentham Hotel Poles, Dornoch Tel 01862 810551 St Duthus Hotel 2 Tower Street, Tain Tel 01862 894007 Carnegie Lodge Hotel Viewfield Road, Tain Tel 01862 894039 info@carnegiehotel.co.uk The Shandwick Inn Kildary, Invergordon Tel 01862 842250 JEWELLERS Forbes Jewellers / Tain Silver Victoria Buildings, High St, Tain Tel 01862 892343 www.maforbes.co.uk LEISURE SERVICES Tain Royal Academy Community Complex (TRACC) Hartfield Road, Tain Tel 01862 893767 METALWORK Metalwork UK Blarliath Industrial Estate, Tain Tel 01862 894123 Email info@metalworkuk.com MORTGAGE SERVICES Ewan A Forrest Financial, Mortgage & Insurance 19-21 Stafford Street, Tain Tel 01862 893561 PRINTING & REPROGRAPHICS Picture Post Printing Tel 01862 832329 info@tainpost.co.uk PLUMBING & HEATING Highland Heatsave Ltd 2 Port Street, Balintore Tel 01862 832116 Mob 07803 610838 McCue Plumbing & Heating Four Penny Paddock, Skelbo, Dornoch, IV25 3QF Tel 01862 810159 Mob 07990 783097 TAXIS Billy’s Taxis Tel 01862 731081 Tel 07523 125916 DP Taxis Tel 07999 844706 VETS Easter Ross Vets Tel 01862 893142 (Tain) Tel 01349 852204 (Invergordon) Tel 01349 884777 (Alness) WEBSITE DESIGN K & N Concepts Ltd Website & Database Design / Development Tel 07527 134574 Tel 01862 832329 niall.harkiss@kandnconcepts.co.uk

Join a warm and friendly Slimming World group near you today...

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Tel: Evelyn 07511 133 108

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THROUGH THE LENS

with Mark Janes LRPS

Issue #21

GRANTS BAKERY Sandwiches & Hot Snacks

The Kylesku Bridge, just after sunrise on a clear Autumn morning Autumn Beckons Autumn is a bitter-sweet time for Landscape Photographers.

On one hand, it marks the end of summer, the return to school, a focus on work and the prospect of shorter days and cooler weather. On the other hand, Autumn is just about the most spectacular time of year to take photos!

So, for this edition of “Through The Lens”, I’m going to stay away from technique and just concentrate on inspiring you with some ideas for awesome Au-tumn photos.

Sunrises and Sunsets As the days shorten, capturing a spectacular sunset or sunrise doesn’t mean getting up in the middle of the night or burning the midnight oil! What could be a better start to the day than rising at a sensible hour, heading out with the camera to capture a carefully planned sunrise composition, then getting back home in time for a wellearned breakfast? Some-how the soft light of Autumn makes these types of shot even more beautiful, with rich, warm colours in the landscape enhanced by the goldenhour light.

“Season of Mists and Mellow Fruitfulness” Keats’ line says it all. September brings a bonanza of apples, rose-hips and blackberries, all bathed in the soft, misty light of Autumn. Take a walk along any hedgerowlined lane with the camera, open up your aperture and enjoy capturing close-ups of the fruit with shallow focus.

Agriculture Autumn is a busy time for farmers, and presents great

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Winners of the Silver Award for Scotch Pie Competition High Street Tain (01862) 892315

photography opportunities. Whether it’s the repeating pattern of straw bales on a sunlit hillside, or a combine har-vester making its way across the field in late afternoon sun, there are plenty of farming stories to tell with your camera.

Night Skies September marks the start of the night sky season for me. It’s when I switch between my two main themes of photography; seascapes and Scotland’s night sky. The milky way is at its best in October in Scotland. Look to the South-East on a clear night in mid-evening and you’ll see one of the brightest parts of the milky way tumbling towards the horizon. If we’re lucky we’ll have a good year for the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights). Although visible throughout the winter months, they do seem to be at their strongest around the Autumn and Spring Equinox.

Woodland My favourite subject in Autumn, woodlands can provide a feast of colour as the leaves turn.

Over the next two issues we’ll be looking more closely at some techniques for capturing these Autumn shots, so keep your battery charged and film / memory-card loaded, and get ready for some great Autumn photography action!

Did you like this article? Why not email me and let me know what you’d like to see covered in future issues. markjanesphotographer@gmail.com.

www.highlandprime.co.uk

@HighlandPrime 01862 832061 All sausage, burgers and dry cure bacon, made fresh here in Fearn.

We deliver to most areas.

Come and see us at the next Community Market in Tain, Saturday 24th August 10am to 2pm.

“Health Matters” SEPTEMBER 2019 Flu Immunisation Season 2019

The new NORTH OF SCOTLAND FOOTBALL ANNUAL 2019-20 Researched and compiled by NIALL HARKISS This year’s Annual includes: - Every appearance and every goal for every player to have kicked a ball in the Scottish Highland Football League and North Caledonian Football League during the 2018-19 season.

- Full list of fixtures, team profiles and confirmed squad lists for all Highland League teams for 2019-20, as well as team profiles and fixtures for the North Caledonian League.

- Results and scorers for all Highland League and North Caledonian League fixtures played in 2018-19.

- Scottish Cup team lineups for all matches involving Highland League or North Caledonian League teams in 2018-19.

- Cup Final photographs and lineups from the 2018-19 season.

- A review of youth and development football across the SHFL North and East regions, Aberdeenshire FA and North of Scotland FA. - ...and more!

Visit www.tainpost.co.uk/annual.php to order!

Use your debit or credit card to buy via Paypal. Within UK only.

As many of you will know ‘flu immunisation season’ is just around the corner. Patients will be invited by their medical practice to attend for flu, pneumococcal and shingles immunisations – invitations are dependent on your age and your medical conditions, also if you are a carer. Keep an eye on the practices’ Facebook pages for more information over the next few weeks.

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Long term conditions – hypothyroidism – underactive thyroid gland If you have an underactive thyroid gland, the condition is called hypothyroidism. In hypothyroidism, there is a reduced level of thyroid hormone in the body. This can cause various symptoms, the most common being tiredness, weight gain, constipation, aches, dry skin, lifeless hair and feeling cold.

Treatment usually involves taking a daily tablet of thyroid hormone to replace the missing thyroxine.

Treatment works very well for most people with hypothyroidism but is required for life.

From www.patient.co.uk ---

DEREK LOUDEN will be holding a surgery in

TAIN SERVICE POINT on Friday 27th September 2019 10:00am to 12:00 noon 12

Beast Race 2019 On Saturday 31st August, 6 intrepid adventurers from Tain & District Medical Group undertook the Beast Race at Loch Ness in aid of CHSS (Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland). The epic obstacle course takes around 2 hours and this year’s race had the unforgiving weather to contend with.

The racers were supported by nonracing members of the practice, who were on hand with towels and drinks on the way around.

There is a link on the practice

Facebook page to donate if you can spare a pound for CHSS! ---

Financial worries?

Financial worries? As we know, worries about finances (amongst other things) is detrimental to our health.

Therefore, the local medical practices are working with Highland Council to bring support closer to you – The Highland Council’s Welfare Support Team - Support to maximise and manage your income Free, confidential and impartial help Our welfare specialists undertake benefit checks to ensure you are not missing out on any benefits or entitlements and complete benefit forms on your behalf. The Council’s specialists will even challenge and appeal decisions about your claims and help you to budget and to deal with other money matters. Our specialists are currently available to you every Wednesday morning at Tain Health Centre Don’t miss out, find out Getting in touch with our welfare specialists is the first step to maximising your potential income and managing your money well, please phone 0800 090 1004.

If you are unable to meet with us at our offices, our welfare specialists are available to visit you in your home.

Urinary Tract Infections Did you know that your local pharmacy can often help if you suspect that you have a UTI? You can contact them directly or you might be signposted there by your GP practice.

Please note this is only for women aged 16 to 65 who are not pregnant.

Pharmacy phone numbers – Balintore 01862832291 Well 5-9 High Street – 01862 892009 Well 23-25 High Street – 01862 892002 We value the work undertaken by our local community pharmacists as this frees the practice clinical teams up to see the patients who need more complex care.

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Dr John Suttie Tain & District Medical Group are pleased to let you know that our long term locum Dr John Suttie has now become salaried with the practice. He will continue to work 3 days per week.

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Suggestions for our column next time in Tain & District Picture Post? Please let us know via the practice website http://www.taindoctors.co.uk/contact_dlg1.aspx?p=S55427

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TRA REUNION - CLASS OF 1979

NMT AWARDS

Ankerville Nurseries

On Saturday 10th August, over fifty former pupils and teachers attended a reunion at Tain Golf Club to celebrate 40 years since they all started Tain Royal Academy. They had a fantastic night and enjoyed a lovely buffet provided by the Golf Club complimented by brilliant music by “The Impact”.

A great night was had by all. Organiser Eileen More wishes thanks to everyone who attended from far and wide!

On Saturday 30th August, Ankerville Nurseries attended the National NMT Nursery Awards at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow, where they were nominated for two awards - Nursery Group and Nursery Operations Manager.

It proved a night to remember for Carol Macrae, owner of Ankerville Nurseries, who collected the Operations Manager award. Well done to Carol and Ankerville!

TAIN & DISTRICT GARDENERS’ CLUB Tain & District Cardeners’ Club held their Second Summer Show in the Tain Guide Hut on Saturday 24th August.

As well as plants, produce, preserves, baking and books for sale there were displays from the National Vegetable Society, garden photography by the Seaboard Camera Group, decorated flowerpots by the After School Club, floral art by the Flower Club and several scarecrows from the Tain Gala also visited.

Teas and home baking were enjoyed by the visitors and £150 was raised for the Highland Hospice.

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15

NOSTALGIA

with Alex Graham

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NOSTALGIA

with Alex Graham

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STOCKISTS

TAIN YOUTH CAFE

Where you can buy

Volunteers Required

the TDPP

Co-operative Grants Bakery Tesco (Tain) RS McColl Bannermans Highland Prime S & B Allsorts Alness Newsagents

INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING WITH YOUR LOCAL FOOTBALL CLUB? St. Duthus FC are looking for weekend volunteers to help with matchday duties such as: Raffle sales Matchday set up Pitch care Kit and equipment care If interested, please get in touch with the committee of St. Duthus FC via email on committee@ stduthusfc.co.uk or call Niall on 07527 134574 18

September update

Primary one week (3.15-4.15) September 7-8.30 £2.

Secondary the following (1.30Following the end of last term 2.30) Please contact Karen A leaflet will be sent to all we said goodbye and thank you Begg for more details. schools advertising this event to a couple of volunteers and and the theme for this Disco we are now actively seeking P6 Games Club will also start is Back to School. The theme volunteers to join us here at the back after the October Holidays will be a Pyjama Party Disco.

Youth Cafe YMCA. every Monday 6-6.45 pm £1 Children must be collected at the end of the Disco.

We ask all volunteers to go on Monday night P7 Transitions a Rota thus ensuring that the group New Village Youth Work with commitment is small and the Nicola work shared by all. This includes This has restarted every Monday night for all those in Nicola our Youth worker will be The Monday night Rota 7-8 pm P7. The time is 7-8 pm and visiting the following villages evening’ for our very successful costs £1.00 per person on a monthly basis; P7 transitions night.

First Friday of the month at Tuesday S1 group Edderton Village Hall 7-9 pm Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday Second Friday of the month at evening 7-9 pm Tuesday nights are for those Inver Community Hall 6-8 pm pupils now in S1 and S3 The Please contact Graham for times will be 7-9 pm and is free Third Friday of the month at more information for the young people.

Portmahomack Carnegie Hall 6.30 to 8 30 pm Free School meals programme Thursday and Saturday nights Drop In Advanced Diary Dates Over the Summer holiday we fed over 500 Primary school This will be open for all those Tain Youth Cafe YMCA AGM children here at the Youth from the Tain Royal Academy Monday 4th November at 7.30 Cafe. This was only achieved 7-9 pm S1-S6 pm. There will be a presentation with the help of MFR Cash for from the group who attended kids and local volunteers who STEM Club the 175 event in London. gave up their time. We will be (Science Technology running this programme again Engineering and Maths) For information on any of these in the October school holidays events or about the Tain & offering free light lunches This will restart after the District Youth Café YMCA in October holidays running every general please contact the Tain Reminder that there is still time Wednesday 3.15 and 4.15 pm Youth Cafe on 894252 or via to ‘spread the word’ to the right e-mail on folks as we want to ensure that This is for those in P6 only and no child goes hungry over the costs just £1 per person. office@tainyouthcafe.co.uk or holiday period. cdw@tainyouthcafe.co.uk Due to the high demand Call the Youth Cafe YMCA on children must pre book onto 894252 for more details this course.

Young Carers Group

Crazy One Hour Disco back In September

The weekly Young Carers group re started each Friday. The next disco is Friday 27th 19

COMMUNITY EVENTS TODDLER & BABY GROUPS

ANNOUNCEMENTS / NOTICES

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 5TH TO 7TH Art Exhibition - Dingwall Art Group display in the Sandy Macrae Room at Dingwall Museum. 10am-4pm. Free entry.

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 7TH St. Duthus FC vs. Thurso FC - North Caledonian Football League match at Grant Park, Tain (down by the Links). 2pm kick off.

Fun Event at Eden Court - For young people (12-25 years old) with disasbilities and additional support needs in the Highlands.

11am-3pm Ballone Castle Open Day - Tain & Easter Ross Civic Trust welcome visitors to Ballone Castle, Portmahomack for conducted tours from 10am to 4pm. No admission fee. Donations to the Trust welcome. Refreshments available.

MONDAY SEPTEMB5ER 9TH Tain & District Gardeners’ Club - ‘Roses’ with Alistair Dowling at Tain Parish Church Hall from 7.30pm.

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 10TH Tain & District Field Club AGM - followed by ‘Woodlands, Railway Stations and Wildflowers of Easter Ross’ with Dr Brian Ballinger (TDFC & Botanical Society of Scotland) at Tain Parish Church Hall from 7pm.

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 12TH Ancestral Voices - Tain & Easter Ross Civic Trust present Coronach & The Musick Fyne Soloists directed by D James Ross - a fascinating programme of renaissance music.Tickets £10 available from Tain Museum of call 01862 894089.

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 14TH Tain & District Field Club - Trip to Garrick Wood. Details on the TDFC website and Facebook page.

St. Duthus FC vs. Halkirk United FC - Jock Mackay Memorial Cup quarter final match at Grant Park, Tain (down by the Links).

2pm kick off.

Do Soccer Academy BBQ Fun Day - Raffle, Rounders and BBQ at Balintore’s Seaboard Park. From 12pm.

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 15TH MFR Cash for Kids Car Boot Sale - The BIGGEST Car Boot Sale in North of Scotland is BACK!!! The last one for 2019 will be happening at the Black Isle Show Field Muir of Ord on Sunday 15th of September. Gates open at 7am. Sellers do not need to reserve a space. £15 for all sellers of used goods & £50 for sellers of new items (Regardless of the size of vehicle) THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 19TH Opera Highlights - With Four Singers and a Pianist at Duthac Centre, Tain from 7.30pm. Tickets from Made in Tain 01862 892221. £15/£5 (u26s) TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24TH Tain Indoor Bowls - AGM at Duthac Centre, Tain from 7.30pm.

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 28TH Nigg Book Fair - Second hand book stalls, local authors and booksellers. Raising funds for Nigg Community Hall. 10.30am to 1.30pm. Everyone welcome.

TUESDAY OCTOBER 1ST Tain Indoor Bowls - Start of indoor bowls. From 1.30pm at Duthac Centre. All welcome.

A big Happy Birthday to Aila-May who turns 7 on the 18th September. Lots of love from Mammy, Daddy, Blair, Finlay, Eadie and Peggy xxxxx

Seaboard Mother and Toddler Group Seaboard Hall 10-12

Gaelic Playgroup Tain Free Church Hall Thursday 10-11.30

Little Rascals Tain Parish Church Tuesday 10-11.30

Portmahomack Toddler Group Carnegie Hall Fridays 9.30-11.30

Inver Toddler Group Inver Community Hall Thursday 10-12

Book Bug Sessions Tain Library Wednesdays 11-11.30

Youth Cafe Parent and Toddler Tain Youth Cafe Wednesday 10-11.30

Adventure Fridays Facebook - Various Outdoor Locations Fridays 9.45

Portmahomack Toddler Group Carnegie Hall Fridays 9.30-11.30

Baby Stay and Play Tain Youth Cafe (upstairs) Friday 10.30-12

Tain and District Field Club (TDFC) which was founded in 1980 is just about to embark on its 40th season of winter events. At TDFC we aim to encourage interest in natural history in this area by surveying and recording animals and plants and helping projects organised by conservation organisations such as the Highland Biological Recording Group. TDFC arranges a series of lectures over the winter and field trips throughout the year. Membership is open to anyone interested in the club’s aims.

Most winter lectures are on topics about, or related to, the natural history of the Highlands with occasional forays further afield. The programme covers many branches of natural history and attempts to get a balance between the more popular topics of birds, mammals and plants and less well-known aspects of the Highland wildlife.

TDFC 2019-20 Lecture Programme All meetings on the second Tuesday of the month in Tain Parish Church Hall at 7:30 pm 10/09/19 AGM followed by 7:00pm Woodlands, Railway Stations and Wildflowers of Easter Ross Dr Brian Ballinger (TDFC & Botanical Society of Scotland) 08/10/19 Costa Rica- a brief encounter Fay Wilkinson & Pat Rae (TDFC) 12/11/19 Rare Invertebrates of the Cairngorms Gabrielle Flinn (Project Officer Cairngorm Partnership) 10/12/19 Loch Fleet NNR Adam Rose (Scottish Natural Heritage) 14/01/20 Surveying the Sea Caves and Reefs of St. Kilda Dr. Lisa Kamphausen (Scottish Natural Heritage) 11/02/20 Climate change and Scottish coasts Prof Stewart Angus (Scottish Natural Heritage & HeriotWatt Univ.)

10/03/20 Photographs of Wildlife and Habitat of the Dornoch Firth Ashley Rose (Dornoch) Autumn & early Winter field trips 2019 Saturday 14th September Garrick Wood Flora & fauna of a mixed wood and ponds.

Sunday 20th October Tarrel Wood Plantation & coastal habitats in autumn Saturday 16th November Amat Salmon spawning & squirrels Thursday 2nd January 2020 New Year Walk Detail to be confirmed near the date Please Note Up-to-date details such as where and when to meet on the day of the field trip can be found on our website and Facebook pages in the week before each trip. As all field trips are dependent on weather and the vagaries of nature there may be last minute changes, so it is essential to let us know by e-mail or phone if you intend to come.

Anyone attending Tain & District Field Club meetings or Field Trips does so at their own risk.

Always bring clothing appropriate for the terrain and the weather.

Annual Membership: Family £15.00, Adults £8.00, Children £5.00 You can keep up to date with TDFC events on our website and Facebook pages: http://tainfieldclub.org.uk https:// www.facebook.com/tain.fieldclub

To share your event or community activity in our July issue, please email info@tainpost.co.uk with as much detail as possible.

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AMATEUR FOOTBALL

North West Sutherland League Tain Thistle AFC secured their second consecutive North West Sutherland Amateur League championship in early August without even kicking a ball, and they rounded the achievement off with an impressive 9-3 win away to Lochinver on Saturday August 17th.

It has been a short season for the Tain Jags, who have played just seven of their ten league games due to forfeiture by opponent sides on three occasions owing to a variety of reasons.

Darran Goller finished as the club’s top scorer for 2019 with ten goals in nine games, and all-time marksman Liam Rostock in close pursuit with eight on the board.

The championship win is actually Thistle’s fifth in a row, having previously won backto-back Ross-shire Welfare League titles in 2015, 2016 and 2017 before leaving to join the amateur ranks of the North West Sutherland AFA in January 2018, winning the league title that same year at the first time of asking.

Tony Farquhar’s squad still have the matter of the Polla Cup to tend to, which pits them (as winners of Division 1) against Lairg Rovers, who clinched the Division 2 title. A venue of Embo has been suggested, but a date is still to be fixed for the match.

Sweets & Confectionery, Ice Cream, Rolls, Pies, Hot Dogs & Other Hot Food / Snacks, Kids Toys KING STREET TAIN (01862) 893307

Newspapers / Magazines / Stationery, Hardware / Electricals / DIY

31-35 High Street - Tain

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North West Sutherland Amateur League - DIVISION 1 PLD

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Golspie Stafford

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Helmsdale United

10

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Brora Wanderers

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Lochinver

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45

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Melvich

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YOUTH FOOTBALL

St. Duthus U17s

St. Duthus Under 17s opened their new season with a trip to play fellow Highland League U17 North contenders Dingwall on Sunday August 18th.

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Missing a selection of players due to holiday commitments during the summer, the team had not yet played together and in the absence of any friendly matches, this would be the first time that the squad had assembled for a fixture.

The game would prove to be a baptism of fire for the Tain lads as they found themselves 1-0 down at half time. The Young Saints weren’t without their chances, though. Shadi Ali and Taylor Anderson were both unlucky not to get on the end of some good balls into the box and were it not for some last ditch defending, the score at the break could have been reversed.

A freak goal straight from the restart all but killed the contest unfortunately, as goalkeeper Alex McDonald was left helpless to prevent a strike from the most acute of angles.

Two further strikes for Dingwall rounded off a 4-0 win for the home side, but there were plenty of signs in the performance of the St. Duthus’ youngsters that with more minutes on the park, they shall be amongst the pack again this season.

A week later, the Young Saints notched their first point of the campaign with a 2-2 draw against Lossiemouth. Playing on home soil at Grant Park, they were able to take a 2-0 lead against their visitors in a well contested match. Alex McDonald played well between the sticks to keep the Coasters at bay, but late goals ultimately undid Saints’ resolve as Lossie snatched an equaliser to split the points.

ST. DUTHUS FOOTBALL CLUB

The first St. Duthus FC friendly of the preseason kicked off on Sunday August 4th with the visit of Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Over 200 spectators came along to watch as St. Duthus welcomed SPFL opposition to Tain for the first time since Dundee United’s visit in 2017.

There were no surprises in the Saints’ 20man squad, with new boys Finlay Macleod and Adam Allan both taking up places in the starting eleven. The returning Jon Campbell also featured in midfield, while Stephen Campbell was given the nod ahead of Ali Matheson in goal.

Caley coach Scott Kellacher took charge of the SPFL side, which was made up in its majority by young fringe players, while first teamers Kevin McHattie, Danny MacKay and Roddy MacGregor were also involved. Experienced campaigners Barry Wilson, Ryan Esson and first team manager John Robertson added to the numbers by taking places on the bench.

As has become custom for the opening day of a new season in Tain, piper Daniel Murray played both teams onto the park before a minutes silence was impeccably observed in memory of Garry Perks, who sadly passed away

Pre-Season Update

in late July.

Taken aback by a sudden downpour, St Duthus took an unexpected lead after five minutes. Good work from Ben Bruce down the right hand side placed Liam Rostock in great space to nick the ball past goalkeeper Daniel Hoban and in an attempt to intercept, defender Taylor Thain cleared the ball off his own man Kevin McHattie and Saints found themselves 1-0 up.

The lead lasted just five minutes though, as Inverness hit back with a goal from Danny MacKay, the striker finding the far corner with a good finish.

Saints continued undeterred and Caley stopper Daniel Hoban had to react well to prevent a Liam Rostock header from finding the bottom corner on 20 minutes.

The visitors eventually took the lead on 35 minutes after MacKay bolted down the right to fire across goal, and waiting at the far post was Roddy MacGregor who nodded home from close range. The pressure continued and Thistle doubled their advantage within two minutes from a set piece. A MacKay free kick took a deflection on the way into the box and after Campbell had done well to parry the shot,

it fell immediately to Taylor Thain who knocked it home from 3 yards.

MacKay continued to threaten and it was no surprise when he notched his second before the break with a cool finish inside the six yard box getting on the end of a Matheus Machado square ball.

A quiet start to the second half saw both sides battle in the unrelenting rain - and Stephen Campbell was called into action first, having to produce a superb low save to prevent a Lewis Hyde shot from finding the bottom corner.

But it was St. Duthus who would score next when striker Ben Bruce reduced the deficit to 4-2 with what was probably the goal of the game. Cutting inside after receiving the ball from the right wing, he beat two defenders before finding the top corner from 25 yards, leaving Hoban with no chance.

Almost immediately from the restart, Caley restored their three goal advantage with a cool finish from MacKay for his hat-trick, slotting underneath substitute keeper Ali Matheson from an angle. Moments later, it was MacKay again for his fourth and Caley’s second with another low driven shot to beat.

Saints did manage to pull another goal back on 75 minutes. When a long free kick was spilled by Ryan Esson, Finn As-Chainey quickly pounced on the loose ball and square for Jake Lockett, who made no mistake at the far post.

The final goal of the afternoon was reserved for Caley substitute Kane Davies who slotted past Matheson with a first time effort.

HONOURS EVEN AGAINST CLACH Five days removed from their opening friendly against Inverness Caledonian Thistle, St. Duthus followed up with a game at Culbokie against Clachnacuddin Under 20s which proved to be a very good test. Two trialists were fielded from the start of the game, in defence and midfield, to compliment an already strong traveling squad.

Brian Christie’s Clach side took the lead right before the break but in truth, it could have been either side going in with the advantage at the interval, with the woodwork and a goalline clearance denying Saints at different moments.

In the second half, a penalty award allowed Clach to double their advantage, but the extended lead was only temporary as Scott Miller got on the end of a ball from Ben Bruce to pull a goal back. The equaliser arrived five minutes from time when substitute Aiden Stainke tucked the ball into the bottom corner from inside the box.

St. Duthus from: Stephen Campbell, Ali Matheson, John Skinner, Charlie MacDonald, Adam Allan, Trialist, Paul Beaton, Cammy Mackintosh, Jon Campbell, Trialist, Ben Bruce, Scott Miller, Alan Geegan, Andreas Broomfield, Sam Beeston, Robbie Murray, Aiden Stainke, Finn As-Chainey

SAINTS ON CLOUD NINE v NAIRN St. Duthus were relentless at Bught Park last night as they trounced Nairn County Under 20s by 9 goals to 1 in their latest friendly match.

The Saints played well in front of a good crowd at the Bught, coping well with the makeshift changes required due to a number of absentees, particularly in defensive quarters. As it happened, St. Duthus looked assured at the back throughout, as would be expected with the more than capable pairing of Andreas Broomfield and Ross Tokely holding fort.

The highlight of the game was a hat-trick for talisman Ross Tokely, who netted his first goal for the club. His two first half goals were complimented by a well taken penalty kick for a foul on Jon Campbell in the second period, which left Gus Wilson with no chance.

Always in amongst the goals, striker Scott Miller grabbed two and was denied a hat-trick of his own on several occasions, not least by an own goal which deflected in off a Nairn defender. Liam Rostock was credited with a goal and an assist, Jake Lockett finishing the latter with a header from close range. Cammy Mackintosh notched the other with a strike from just inside the box.

Lewis Mitchell netted in reply for Nairn with a stunning curled shot from the edge of the box.

St. Duthus from: Stephen Campbell, Adam Allan, Sam Beeston, Andreas Broomfield, Ross Tokely, Robbie Murray, Jon Campbell, Cammy Mackintosh, Scott Miller, Ben Bruce, Finn As-Chainey, Jake Lockett, Fin Macleod, Liam Rostock, Aiden Stainke, Keir Carson

St. Duthus from: Stephen Campbell, Ali Matheson, Adam Allan, Paul Beaton, John Skinner, Charlie Macdonald, Ross Tokely, Jon Campbell, Robbie Murray, Liam Rostock, Ben Bruce, Finlay Macleod, Alan Geegan, Scott Miller, Finn As-Chainey, Iain Macrae, Andreas Broomfield, Cammy Mackintosh, Aiden Stainke, Jake Lockett, Sam Beeston Inverness CT from: Daniel Hoban, Ryan Esson, Taylor Thain, Cameron Harper, Kevin McHattie, Millar Gamble, Lewis Hyde, Roddy MacGregor, Matthew Black, Shane Harkness, Matheus Machado, Danny MacKay, Grant Hogg, Kane Davies, Barry Wilson, John Robertson

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ST. DUTHUS BOWLING CLUB

TAIN AMATEUR SWIMMING CLUB

Colin and Jane More from St Duthus Bowling Club won the Glenmorangie mixed pairs on August 4th. It was hard lines to Alistair and Evelyn from Invergordon who gave a good showing.

Duncan Henderson, David More, Brian Swanson and Andrew Adamson secured the Northern Counties Fours Championship for St. Duthus BC this year, having beaten Rosebank in the final after coming through three previous rounds during the summer.

Duncan Henderson and Andrew Adamson followed up on their success, joined by Duncan Farmer, by winning the North Kessock Triples on August 18th.

OLD FILE

It was a fabulous day for Team Tain at The Far North Meet in Wick at the end of August - a hot day but worth it for all the personal bests and medals earned!

The team consisted of Olivia Macleod, Rosie Milligan, Marcus Ritchie, Eleanor Ross, Olivia Mackinnon, Lewis Austin, Louie Macleod and George Milligan.

A brief summary of results: Olivia Macleod (13-14): Gold 100m Fly, Gold 100m Back, Gold 100m Breast, Gold 100m Free Marcus Ritchie (13-14): 4th 100m Back Rosie Milligan (13-14): Silver 100m Breast, Bronze 100m Free Eleanor Ross (11-12): Gold 50m Fly, Gold 50m Back, Gold 50m Breast, Gold 50m Free Olivia Mackinnon (11-12): Bronze 50m Breast Lewis Austin (11-12): Gold 50m Fly, Gold 50m Back, Gold 50m Breast Amazing job Team Tain once again.

Please send your Old File photos via post to our address below or scanned via email to info@tainpost.co.uk

Thank you to James Rice (third from left, back row) for this press cutting of Portmahomack Football Club from around the mid 1990s. Can you put names to any of the faces in the photo?

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TAIN TENNIS CLUB

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