Issue #214 | Tain & District Picture Post | September 2018

TAIN & DISTRICT PICTURE POST

ISSUE NO. 214

SEPTEMBER 2018

PRICE £1.95

In August Tain Amateur Swimming Club swimmers and parents traveled to Glasgow for the European championships at Tollcross and enjoyed the swimming heats held on the Saturday morning, a great opportunity for them by Scottish Swimming who gave all clubs the chance of free tickets for the heats! Enjoyed by both swimmers and parents.

NEWS PHOTOGRAPHS ARTICLES & STOR IES COMMUNITY EVE NTS “OLD FILE” UPDATES FROM CLUBS & ASSOCIA TIONS SPORTS ACHIEVE MENTS ...and more

EDITORIAL

The holidays are over, the schools are back and we’re all looking now forward to Christmas. Too soon? Okay, well, the schools are indeed back at least and with that, our September issue is now on sale in the shops.

Some great contributions again this month. It has been especially pleasing to be able to offer a platform to many of the town’s community groups and associations - many of whom have been keeping us updated with regularity.

This summer certainly proved that there is plenty going on in the town.

As ever, we would love to hear your feedback on recent issues, on specific articles or even with something altogether different that we could share with our readership.

Finally, we are delighted to announce that Emma Louise Barnsby has been drawn as the lucky winner of our Landmark Forest Adventure Park prize draw. A voucher for a Family Day ticket shall be winging its way to you very soon. Congratulations.

Thank you all once again for reading. Please do get in touch.

Best wishes, Niall Harkiss & Lucy Veals

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

TAIN

Duthac Centre Shandwick Street Wednesdays 3.30pm, 5.30pm and 7.30pm

Tel: Evelyn 07511 133 108

Highland Heatsave Limited BOILER SERVICING AND COMMISSIONING PLUMBING AND HEATING INSTALLATION

For information on how you can advertise your business in the Picture Post, please send an email to info@tainpost.co.uk

Jim Oman, 2 Port Street, Balintore, IV20 1UH TEL 01862 832116 | MOBILE 07803 610838

ROYAL BURGH OF TAIN COMMUNITY COUNCIL A summary of Minutes from the most recent meeting of the Royal Burgh of Tain Community Council which took place on June 25th 2018 in the Council Chambers in Tain.

POLICE REPORT It was reported that 1 person had been charged for disorder/assault, 12 people charged for road traffic offences, 1 person charged for drug offences, and 1 person charged for theft by shoplifting. The Asda junction is currently being examined by the Road Policing Unit in consultation with HC. Mr Louden and the CC has asked Transport Scotland to make the by-pass slower in order to reduce the number and severity of accidents at both the Asda and Lidl junctions. 40mph has been requested but 50mph would be beneficial. A report on the matter from TS is due in July. It was mentioned that an incident involving an individual breaking an empty wine bottle on the High Street had been reported to the Police. PC Cameron undertook to look into the records as top the outcome and report back, if data protection allowed him to do so.

Incidences of drug selling on the streets had been reported. Police can gather intelligence but evidence is needed to charge. The Police will submit an intelligence report.

HIGHLAND COUNCILLOR’S REPORT Mr Louden reported that Transport Scotland are due to report on the two main A9 entrances, and he has the impression they are taking the accident rate seriously.

Discussion on potential traffic management measures ensued. Mr Louden indicated the HC Administration’s budget proposals are contentious eg the closure of toilets and car parking charges. There is now a people counter in Tain toilets, and there may be charge in future. Car park impositions may be forthcoming also. Actions are being forwarded to the Area Committees for decision making shortly. There is no clear breakdown of running costs or potential savings/income. Mr Louden circulated the future roads programme for 2018/19 and 2019/20 which shows a snap shot of the roadwork proposals at 4 June 2018.

COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITY Ms Williams indicated that some of the markings at the Royal Hotel car park entrance have disappeared, causing confusion. Also the ‘Keep Clear’ surface

markings at the rear entrance to her property. After discussion, it was agreed to clarify whether the car park is adopted by Highland Council as there appeared to be some doubt over its historical status.

CHAIR’S REPORT Mr Macdonald reported he had sent a letter to the Chair of the Care, Learning & Housing Committee, asking them to drop the TRA site from the 3-18 campus, selection, but to no avail. The recent HC organised public meeting was attended by c. 45 persons. Responses to the consultation are due by 4 September 2018, with a final report on site selection going to Committee in December. It was agreed a priority for site selection was site size and Craighill was big enough to accommodate the school, mirroring the Wick campus. TRA was not.

It was noted the Scottish Futures Trust payment tranches are issued periodically, and the next amount may be released in April 2019. It was agreed , based upon the CC’s research, the community is not behind the TRA site, and the CC should remind HC they need community-wide support in order to secure public funding. After discussion, it was agreed Mr Macdonald would contact the affected local CCs to encourage them to carry out their own local drop-in events to gauge community opinion on the Campus site thus helping inform HC. Mr Macdonald to check if the CC/TERCT Craighill sketch layout could be used to generate a better understanding of site needs. It was agreed also to respond to the site selection proposal along the lines discussed and re-send the letter of objection to the original planning application on the basis none of the issues at TRA had been addressed. The CC wished to reaffirm its preparedness to work with HC to secure the optimum layout for the Campus site.

Tarlogie housing– still waiting to hear from Forestry Commission. Courthouse bins response to the Court Service still to be done. The unveiling of the plaque to commemorate the use of the WW2 aerodrome is due to take place on 11 August.

It was agreed to contact the British Legion with regard a local WW2 RAF participant unveiling the plaque. Highland Council Quality Awards – noted.

VICE-CHAIR’S REPORT Mr Amos reported that he had finished making the bench for underneath the Clock Tower – photo circulated – it will be fitted

4

tomorrow. Raising funds for the Senior Citizen’s Party needs to be considered as the cost is around £900. Mr McAllister offered to do a street sale, and Ms Mackenzie will raise the matter at Tain Development Trust.

It was noted there was enough CC funds to cover this year. Mr Amos to explore whether the CC might take a table at the community market – next one 21 July – if power was available pancakes could be made. There are bad potholes on the Morangie Road.

PLANNING MATTERS Construction of a staff amenity building, Glenmorangie Distillery – noted. Addition of a vertical dispersion stack to kitchen ventilation system, High Street – support.

Mr Macdonald declared an interest in this item, and did not take part in the discussion.

COMMON GOOD FUND It was noted that Green’s restaurant are vacating their Common Good Fund premises to move location, which means less income for it. There is some works required for the building – HC are asking for local contractors to undertake this work.

UNEXHAUSTED REMITS It was agreed to add Tain Development Trust (TDT) to the Unexhausted Remits item. Ms Mackenzie updated the meeting in that TDT are still waiting for the the go-ahead from the Co-op to get entry to their didused shop premises on Stafford Street. A discussion took place on TDT supporting town centre businesses to open evenings and Sundays. Website items – Mr McAllister put some items on Facebook, including information on live firing at the Bombing Range. Cemetery’s – it was noted that Hugh Gardiner was attending the next Ward Forum and Mr Louden would raise the longstanding issues at the Tain cemeteries.. Trees and Green Environment – the planting on Woody Braes was noted, this will be monitored. It was agreed that Mr McAllister would find out who completed the planting, and who will be monitoring it.

Concern was expressed at the lateness of the planting and the subsequent dry weather.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS The Grove. It was noted that the Grove went on fire again. Mr Louden to speak to Planners about this building, and Mr Macdonald to contact the family to see what is happening.

WiFi boost for Tain High Street TAIN now has access to free WiFi in and around the centre of the town thanks to a project led by the Highland Council and funded by the Inverness and Highland CityRegion Deal. Tain joins Invergordon and Alness in benefitting from the new service.

The free WiFi, called “High-Fi”, is aimed at stimulating economic growth and will increase digital inclusion across the Highlands. Easy access to digital connectivity is seen as essential if the Highland region is to be innovative and keep its competitive place in the tourism market.

Allied to this, WiFi also offers the opportunity to gather data to support tourism and the creation of a wireless infrastructure in a town centre allows smart traffic management technology to be utilised.

The first phase of the free WiFi project was a Pilot in part of Inverness City Centre which was later rolled out to the wider city

in early 2017 as Phase 2. The 3rd Phase is seeing the roll-out of free WiFi to 14 towns across Highland.

Additional towns to receive High-Fi during phase 3 of the project include Aviemore, Dingwall, Dornoch, Drumnadrochit, Fort Augustus, Fort William, Nairn, Portree, Thurso, Ullapool and Wick.

The rollout for all14 towns is almost complete and involves local communities, groups and businesses, with work well underway in the remaining towns.

Chair of the Ross and Cromarty Area Committee, Councillor Fiona Robertson said: “This project is fantastic news for Tain, Alness and Invergordon and I am sure it will be welcomed by everyone who lives here, as well as visitors to the area.

“Digital connectivity is essential these days for everything we do and free access to WiFi will enable visitors and locals to make

FUND FOR FERN A few years ago one of my dogs developed a slight limp in one of her front legs. As her gran developed elbow dysplasia in her later years I was pretty sure that sadly Fern had the same problem. Sure enough, a trip to the Vet confirmed that because of a badly formed joint, usually due to the cartilage, poor Fern had arthritis. She was prescribed Metacam and it helped for a while. Unfortunately last year it seemed to become less effective and she was changed to a different medication, which, although it has improved her limp, she is still obviously in pain. She cannot have a proper walk or chase a ball (which she loves to do). On top of that, her medication isn’t cheap! I have been completely overwhelmed by the support

5

the most of local businesses by checking what’s on, where to visit in the area, opening hours, accommodation and prices, as well as finding local job opportunities and keeping in touch with family and friends.

“High-Fi will be great for posting local photos of the area on social media and helping to promote the area, and all this region offers, to the wider world. I look forward to seeing people using the hashtags #High-Fi-Tain, #High-Fi-Alness and #HighFi-Invergordon.”

The City-Region Deal sets out the areas where the Scottish Government will commit investment of up to £135m and the UK Government will commit investment of up to £53.1m, which, together with £127m of further investment by the Council and partners, will deliver a step change in digital connectivity, digital healthcare, skills, innovation and infrastructure.

UK Government minister Lord Duncan said: “Digital connectivity isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. The roll out of free Wi-Fi will help locals and businesses as well as making it easier for tourists visiting picturesque locations such as Ross and Cromarty to share their experiences with people back home. I am pleased that the UK Government was able to directly support this essential project as part of the Inverness and Highland CityRegion Deal funding.” https://www.highland.gov.uk/site/highfi/index.html How to use: · Turn on WiFi on your mobile phone or other device · For High-Fi it shows the town name first e.g. Tain_WiFi_Free (High-Fi) · Log-on with either your social media details or by entering your email address · Start enjoying the free WiFi! · For Inverness WiFi go to your wifi settings and select NESS_WiFi_Free

of friends, family and the local community.

People I have never met before and certainly have never met Fern!

The only time I have asked for anything was donations to a bottle stall way back at the beginning of the summer (for which I received loads!). Since then I have received so many offers of help, cash donations, some lovely pieces of artwork by a brilliant local artist, so much brica-brac and clothes that I had a yard sale and still have plenty left for boot sales galore! The latest donation is two tickets to see Jason Manford at Eden court! I also hosted a wee fun afternoon and bbq at my house which was well supported.

Thanks to you all Fern is now booked in to have a stem cell injection which should hopefully help to regrow the cartilage around her joint.

Our local community rocks! - Jackie Morton

Public consultation deadline for 3 to 18 campus There is still time to give your feedback on the current site selection public consultation for a 3 to 18 campus in Tain.

Between 5th June and 4th September we are being asked by Highland Council to participate in a public consultation to decide on a site for a new 3 to 18 campus in Tain. This will replace; TAIN ROYAL ACADEMY, CRAIGHILL PRIMARY SCHOOL, KNOCKBRECK PRIMARY SCHOOL AND ST. DUTHUS SCHOOL, WITH A NEW 3-18 CAMPUS. It is also proposed the new 3-18 Campus would have co-located community facilities, operated by Highlife Highland, and replacing the existing TRACC. Over and above the replacement of facilities currently at TRACC, the Council would also propose to incorporate the public library in the new Campus. The scope of the community facilities would ultimately be determined by further consultation as the specification and design phase of the project, and will of course ultimately be dictated by the funding available for the project.

The 2 sites in the proposal are: 1. The Craighill Site 2. The Existing Tain Royal Academy Site The full proposal paper and appendices are available online at: http://www.highland.gov.uk/ schoolconsultations. Copies are also available for inspection at Tain Royal Academy; Craighill Primary School; Knockbreck Primary School; St. Duthus School; Tain Public Library & Invergordon Mobile Library.

You can also request that a copy be posted. If you wish to have a paper copy posted to you, please contact the Care and Learning Service, Highland Council Offices, 84 High Street, Dingwall, IV15 9QN, telephone 01349 868478.

A MESSAGE FROM TAIN CATS PROTECTION Our BOY GEORGE is looking for a quiet ‘retirement home’.

At age 13 years (who really knows for sure?) and with many teeth missing, he needs to be rehomed as an INDOOR ONLY cat.

He is fully vaccinated, neutered, microchipped, and had a recent dental check. His one eye has a tendency to cloud so eyedrops may be required from time to time. Being an indoor cat, he will require a nail trim once in a while.

Trying to retrace his ancestry so to speak, he seems to have been rescued several years ago in very poor condition. His most recent owner who had him for close on four years sadly passed away and hence he comes to Cats Protection.

With several pearly whites gone, George prefers wet food, and insists you stroke and tickle him while he is feasting. He also loves being brushed. And despite being an elderly guy, he loves playing with teaser toys and his version of football. He listens to the radio for a large part of the day (nothing with heavy metal or rap, thanks).

Get in touch via email at taincats@aol.com.

How to respond: You can send your response directly to Highland Council as follows:

By Post: Derek Martin, Area Care and Learning Manager (Mid) County Buildings, High Street, Dingwall, IV15 9QN.

By Email: Email: Education.

Consultations@highland.gov.uk Or via an online form, a link to which can be found on www.highland.gov.uk/ schoolconsultations 6

Celebrations are Sweet for Bruce and Susan’s new King Street home SWEET CELEBRATIONS moved to King Street this past month - and proprietors Bruce and Susan MacIvor were delighted when they received a generous gift of a hamper from one of their suppliers to welcome them into their new shop. They took the decision to donate the hamper to the schools in the town.

Bruce said, “We decided to split the hamper into three and donate to Knockbreck, Craighill and Tain Royal Academy, as they have each been such fantastic customers of ours, and they have supported us from day one - much like the whole community - we could not have completed our move without all of the support given to us and we would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody.”

Sweet Celebrations is now located on King Street in the building formerly occupied by Sunflowers Too. A wide variety of sweets, chocolate, ice cream, teas and coffees and toys are on sale as well as an all-new selection of hot food, such as pies, hot dogs, bacon rolls and even macaroni cheese on the menu.

Bruce, pictured (right) with Lisa Stewart of Knockbreck and Emily Bond of Craighill.

DEREK LOUDEN will be holding a surgery in

TAIN SERVICE POINT on Friday 21st September 2018 from 10:00am to 12:00 noon 7

THROUGH THE LENS...

...WITH MARK JANES Issue #10 - Have you seen the light?

Autumn is just round the corner and it’s one of my favourite times for photography. Why? Well, apart from those gorgeous autumn colours of yellow, gold and brown, there’s the light! I’m sure you know what I mean; that soft, warm light that bathes the landscape on a still, warm September afternoon.

Learning to recognise different types of light, and the effect is has on a scene, is one of the most important things you can do to improve your photography, so let’s have a look at some different types of light, and what subjects photograph best in them: Soft, Warm Light: You find this towards the end of the day, or early in the morning. The light is not as harsh as during the middle of the day. Shadows

are longer, bringing out texture in the landscape, and colours are more saturated.

It’s perfect for big, epic landscapes, especially if there’s interesting detail in the sky.

Hard, Mid-day Light: This can be tough to shoot in. Shadows are hard and the sun is strong and overhead. Try to make use of the shadows and look for how they form interesting shapes to photograph. If you want to photograph people at this time, take them into the shade of a tree or building, or use your camera’s flash to fill in some of those shadows.

Flat Light: Found on cloudy days, this kind of light casts few, if any, shadows. It can be great for photographing subjects with a lot of detail, such as plants or animals, as you don’t get the distracting glare and shadows associated with midday light. Landscapes photograph less well in this type of light, and can look flat and featureless.

Stormy Light: Take an umbrella to protect your camera and head out on a showery day. The intermittent way the sun shines through the clouds and lights up parts of the landscape can lead to some

8

really dramatic photographs. This kind of light rewards patience; once you’ve found a nice composition or viewpoint, it pays to wait for the moment when the light is just perfect!

Whatever the weather and the light, there are subjects to be photographed this Autumn. However, it is a very changeable season. So, if the light isn’t co-operating, work with it and change what you’re shooting to suit the light conditions. The forecast is for some warm, settled days, so now is the perfect time to blow the dust off that camera!

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.

FAMILY NOTICES day to Happy 1st bir th princess our miracle ey. You Maisie Star Torl len our have truly sto y and hearts. Mumm u so so Daddy love yo pe you much, we ho par ty. have a great s Maisie Love you alway Mummy, Mouse. Love Lewis, Daddy, Bex, xxx Gizmo & Cookie

Happy birthday to Aila-May Kitchen who turns 6 on the 18th of September. Aila has just star ted P2 in the Gaelic departm ent in Craighill and w ould like to say a big “Hello!” to Granny Maureen who love s th e Picture Post!

A ver y ha ppy 16th bir thday to K atie Harkiss -Offin.

Lots of lo ve from Dad, Luc y, Nikki, Harris and Fraser x

A big ha ppy 8th bir thday Nathan H to utcheson! love from Lots of M Willow xx um, Dad, Alfie & xx

Happy Anniversary to my perfect husband Dean Shaw. I’d be lost without you.

Are you or a relative celebrating a birthday or special event in october?

Please let us know by sending an email to info@tainpost.co.uk

Forever yours, Carol-Ann 9

Congratulations to Jill Macdonald, winner of our July competition prize of a bottle of Glenmorangie whisky.

GRANTS BAKERY Sandwiches & Hot Snacks

Winners of the Silver Award for Scotch Pie Competition High Street Tain (01862) 892315 10

ANDREW VASS WRITES...

Mindfulness in perspective Many people object to the idea of Mindfulness because it is Buddhist and therefore perhaps comes from a cultic belief system. It certainly comes from the Pali word “Sati” which means “attention,” “awareness,” and “remembering”.

But at first sight words like ‘attention’ don’t seem cult-like. To be clearer Mindfulness is about “paying attention, purposefully and with calmness in the present moment”. ‘Remembering comes into it because one is remembering that Mindfulness is ‘being here’. If one is only half here (operating with different speeds, different moods, or multi-tasking) it is difficult to experience experiences. This remembering bit creates the Mindful awareness needed because it lets one know what mindfulness is and isn’t.

With the memory you can now do it and also know when you are not doing it.

This may still seem like gobbledygook to some. Others may think ‘well he has been even worse than this in many other articles’. So, to be at my simplest (if that were possible for me) when Mindful one is being more aware of scenery, sounds, tactile sensations, body sensations and or mental events-from a place of stillness. For perhaps a few minutes one has a pause button switched on. Ah (here is more complexity) one must be authentic! Feelings and subtle thoughts can suddenly switch the pause button off.

Anxiety, fear, anger, distrust, revulsion, selfdowning, self-hating, others-hating, depressionrelapse, shame, embarrassment, dire needs, catastrophising can all switch the pause button off. For example, you may be attending to the nice taste of your coffee and gazing into its brown hue when suddenly a thought comes up about what you have to do next before a deadline occurs. Such an anxious thought can disturb your reverie again and again (and for all of your life) if you don’t train your brain to have balanced judgements.

Mindfulness makes you aware of the constancy of judgement. We are ‘always at it’judging I mean. When sticking a raisin in your mouth you perhaps find yourself judging it to be a wizened tasteless little morsel. When drying the dishes, you perhaps find yourself judging the task to be unbearably tedious. When putting your hand into freezing water, you perhaps tell yourself that it is unbearably painful. Judging is often about ‘automatic thinking’ and ‘emotional reasoning’. This is when thoughts create new thoughts and feelings and then anger, or fear influence the strength of conclusions.

So far so good. Many Mindfulness gurus tell us that we need to practise using anchors to help us curtail these automatic diatribes. One anchor is scenery. Know you are scenery-watching. When walking just walk, when scenery-watching just watch. Then you have made the trees, the wallpaper, even the bubbles in your basin of dishes

into an anchor. Breath can also be an anchor.

You have to learn to breathe deeply and gently.

Rewiring the Stress Response with breath just takes 20-30 seconds to turn down stress volume and have 10x increase in oxygen going to brain.

Result- less stress! The problem however, with all gurus is that they make things sound easy.

‘Once you are present with experiencing and gentle breathing your problems with just float away’ they may tell us. A likely story!

If a simple approach to Mindfulness had been useful to complex people, we would not have had the development of several Mindfulness therapies all using other skills besides ‘breathfocus’ to treat people with various difficulties.

These Mindfulness therapies have been validated by big trials in which the Therapy has been tried out on people who have specific needs or problems. So, I say that not all gurus convince me, and I have gone to sleep on many simplistic Mindfulness texts. I prefer to hear more about authentic treatments than simple set-piece methods.

Brain science has shown though that simple meditations can be a big help. Watching breath in a meditative way and dropping awareness into body, reduced rumination, repetitive negative thinking, and depression in tests. Pauses at top and bottom of breath are regulating for the nervous system. This is about breathing in for 7, holding the breath for 4, breathing out for 8 and holding breathe again for 4 before breathing in. Short Mindfulness techniques also help reduce catastrophising during times of pain. An experiment which required students to put their hands in buckets of ice found that those who were just mindful of the sensations did better than those students who tried to use distraction techniques. The mindful technique of dropping attention into the body helped.

Two of the therapies which show how we need other things besides simple Mindfulness techniques are Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (D.B.T) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (A.C.T.). D.B.T. tells us that our emotional mind is often sensitised by negative experiences and by invalidation. The emotional mind then becomes vulnerable to having miserable or impulsive moods. Wise mind then takes a backseat as our minds become overwhelmed by emotions. Interestingly Counselling techniques help clients identify how some emotions are causing vulnerability and reduced permeability. When a Counsellor says to a client; ‘You are feeling puzzled (or sad or some other feeling) because your reactions are unusually rigid, and the effect is that you wonder where you are coming from just now’ the use of such mirror statements potentially help a client to constantly reconsider if the vulnerable mood can be influenced by a new way of perceiving the

11

problem. My book ‘Beat Depression with Self Help Techniques Vass is useful for showing how Counselling helps one to master self- help skills.

D.B.T. though suggests it is useful to be aware that we can be in two minds, ambivalent, doing the splits and thus not being mindfully present.

A.C.T. suggests that sometimes values clarification can stop the emotional outpouring, by giving us a sense of what is grounding for us. Grounding is a taking in of things which help us settle. We need a mindful moment of grounding because we are naturally greedy for what we want and fail to realise that what looks like gold is often actually just tinsel. Our values, not our achievements, make us- according to A.C.T. So, if one drew a dartboard to represent a specific problem and tried to put one’s values close to the bull’s eye what would one come up with? Would one have BALANCED THINKING, CONTEMPLATIVE THINKING, SYMPATHETIC BEHAVIOUR, ASSERTIVE BEHAVIOUR, RESILIENCE, SELF REGULATION, and GOOD TEAMSMANSHIP near the bull’s eye? Then how does one reflect these values in planning and investigating skills for living? Will it be incumbent on one to seriously search for knowledge which makes one capable of living more effectively?

Mindfulness then is nowadays linked to Therapies, and those who want to live the ‘valuesbased life’ need be drawn into the Mindfulness journey while carefully navigating their way between gurus who offer sometimes just personal wisdom and therapies which offer more empirical wisdom. Contemplation has a major place in Mindfulness because it is both uplifting for the brain (according to neuroscientists) but also anchoring in the mindful sense.

The purpose of writing about Mindfulness in perspective is to look at Mindfulness within the wider picture of religious and cultural influences which we think of as being our heritage. I have claimed previously that Contemplation has Christian roots. But so, does Mindfulness link to the Psalms of David. When in Psalm 66 David wrote that ‘if he had cherished sin in his heart, God would not have listened to him’ he was being self-aware. People can cherish power, pride, dominance, ideological purity and competitiveness. One wants to mindfully stand back from such character flaws. Sometimes one has to accept that child-like mood states within are quite overwhelming or compelling so one has to negotiate with them so that one can at least struggle to be a little more responsible and values-centred than one had been before.

Mindfulness is now a concept which has leverage for many people today. To be mindful is to become a theoretical person while having the practical skill of being able to split hairs.

NOSTALGIA WITH ALEX GRAHAM

12

13

The Tale of the 1954 Flood

The idea of sending the Tale of the 1954 flood for the Old File came about through a timing coincidence involving Tain Boy Scouts of ‘Yesteryear’ and the T&DPP. Recently, during a wee Ceilidh with Marjorie Strachan the wife of Donald my Scout Master in Tain, Marjorie produced a copy of the Tale about the 1954 Flood. As we were unsure about who the Author of the tale was, it was arranged that I would pass a copy of it to Billy Grant who was an Assistant Scout Master in Tain. However, before I got round to do this, I read the letter from Douglas Rankine in Australia which was published in the August issue of the magazine. Douglas was also in the Boy Scouts in Tain but he has not been in touch with the Old File for

a while and I do not have a contact address. So...

I had better admit that using the T&DPP will also save me sending a number of emails to other old Tain Boy Scouts who live in distant parts but who I know read the magazine. E.g. Derek White in Vancouver Island Canada; Joe Williamson & Mike Strachan in Canada; Chris Williamson & Andy Skinner in London; Ian Cattanach in Gloucestershire; Billy Gordon in Banchory; Ian Forbes in Stonehaven. There are also of course a number who still live in and around Tain and who have been named in the magazine before, like Stephen Burgess, Robin Cattanach, Willie Waugh and Ian Murd who, if he knows or finds out who the author of the Tale was, to please advise Marjorie.

John A Gordon

14

“OLD FILE” Autumn 2003

To get in touch with the editorial team of the Tain & District Picture Post, please email info@tainpost.co.uk or send a letter via post to Wyvis View, Main Road, Fearn, IV20 1TG.

A “not so” Old File entry from the Autumn issue of the Tain & Dornoch Picture Post of 2003.

Knockbreck Primary School Pupil Council

L to R: Aiden MacDonald, Iain Martin, Stuart Greenlees, Lauren Greenlees, Michelle McMenemy, Jade MacLennan 15

PATRICK VICKERY WRITES...

Wick: The Venice of the North

The last time we visited Wick was 25 years ago.

We went to a rabbit show in the Town Hall. The kids were small and the notion of a rabbit show was most exciting. We returned to Wick recently for the B’Fest Music Festival at Riverside Park. No kids with us this time, no rabbits hopping, just ourselves, a middle aged and slightly rumpled/ crumpled couple in a white van, although we did witness much rabbit-like hopping to the sounds of the Imagineers, Kazabian and the Proclaimers over the weekend. We could have sung “we’re on our way, we’re on our way to Wick, ah ha, ah ha, ah ha......” as we drove north, although in reality we were more interested in contemplating the scenery in solitude rather than singing songs out of tune. There would be plenty of time for that sort of malarkey later. That’s what being middle age and rumpled/crumpled does for you.

The sun shone on Caithness (and possibly on Leith), the stage was set for a wonderful Wick experience, and we were not to be disappointed.

We didn’t walk five hundred miles to get there, but instead drove leisurely north from Tain with a scheduled stop at the Laiday Croft Museum and Tearoom where my request for a mocha proved to be beyond the bounds of possibility.

The soup however, was excellent. Well done, Chef, I would walk five hundred miles for your leek and potato!

On arrival, Wick was bathed in glorious sunshine. We parked the van near the Norseman

16

Hotel, then set off on foot to explore the town.

To be honest, exploration was not the primary motivation behind this foray into the heart of Wick, but more the notion that somebody might be selling vegetarian food as we anticipated provision for vegetarians at the B’Fest might not be a priority. We were proved to be correct, although to be fair the RNLI were selling cheese rolls, as well as dispensing jovial banter and warming smiles to all within earshot.

Our foray into town produced some memorable moments. We had a brief meander through Pulteney Town (steeped in herring and history), sought out Ebenezer Place (the shortest street in the world), fended off an evangelical fanatic on the High Street (not easy) and popped into Dr Simpson’s bookshop and cafe (a rare jewel in the crown of the town) for a mocha and a panini.

Riverside Park lived up to expectations as a pleasant park beside the river. No infringement of the Trade Descriptions Act. The festival was a small one, the atmosphere friendly and the music of high calibre.

I found Wick to be a captivating and eccentric town. Beyond its grey stone buildings lurks a vibrant, intriguing and intensely fascinating place. Could this be the Venice of the north, I wonder? It is possible. We shall return for more of the same in the future.

Arrivederci.

SOAR YOUTH PROJECTS

SOAR YOUTH PROJECTS has just finished another fantastic summer of fun for young people with additional support needs. 45 young people aged between five and eighteen enjoyed a raft of outings and activities with their peers over the summer. Our group is based at St Duthus School in Tain. We had a great golfing taster day at Tain Golf Club led by the wonderful Mike Sangster which the young people and staff loved and even those who often stay on the side lines got involved!

Tain Tennis club also welcomed us along to a few sessions on their cracking new courts which everyone loved.

There were also trips to riding for the disabled at Broomhill, the Highland Folk Museum, Landmark, weekly swimming sessions, beach trips, camping experiences and lots more!

As always we owe our thanks to

many people:- the Head Teacher and staff of St Duthus School who continue to put up with us good naturedly; our many volunteer helpers; Mike Sangster and everyone at the Golf club; Tain Tennis club, NHS staff who train our staff; all the people who fund raise for us and all the grant giving bodies who provide us with the money to run the groups.

We have a great bunch of dedicated staff and most importantly a fantastic group of young people who come along and take part in all the activities.

We would also like to extend an extra thank you to the emergency services and to 18

the staff of Tomich Café who were so helpful when our minibus was involved in an unfortunate incident after swimming one day.

The challenge as always is to find enough funding to continue to operate but we look forward to seeing everyone again soon.

Article written by Morag Robb

TAIN & DISTRICT KIDS’ PAGE

QUICK QUIZ

DINOSAUR COLOURING CHALLENGE

1. What is the name of Aladdin’s monkey?

2. What animal was the Sebastian in The Little Mermaid?

3. What kind of bees make honey?

4. In which country is the Amazon rainforest?

5. The colours red and blue when mixed create which colour?

6. What is the name of Mickey Mouse’s dog?

7. What material are jeans made of?

8. In Frozen, what is the name of the snowman?

9. Which language does Dora the Explorer teach?

10. The web abbreviation ‘LOL’ is mostly commonly known to stand for what phrase?

ATTENTION !

Schools in Tain plan to join together to create a poppy cascade to mark the centenary of the end of the Great War. We plan to make some of the poppies from plastic bottles. Could you please keep any 2 litre plastic bottles or similar for us and send then into school.

DO SOCCER ACADEMY

Even better if you could cut the bottom part off first and just send that in. :)

AGE GROUP: 2004/2005

We would love to hear from you if you have a contribution to make to our Kid’s Pages!

Please email us your ideas, jokes, questions, stories or pics to info@tainpost.co.uk

We are looking for players in all positions any boys born in 2004/05 more than welcome to come along if interested.

Please contact Gail on 07917881672 19

COMMUNITY STARS

Thomas and his Talipes Tale Thomas is a 5 month old boy who Thomas which will continue until he was born with talipes equinovarus, is approximately four years old. But otherwise known as club foot, where because of the history of Thomas’ c a s t slipping, our orthapedic consultant has asked us to stay local to the area.

We currently

the foot points down and inwards.

Despite it being a common birth defect, affecting around 1 in 1000 births, it is not something that is often spoken about it seems. Parents often feel overwhelmed and anxious when their child is born with talipes, and we were no different.

In Thomas’ case, we started treatment at Raigmore but found his casts kept slipping, which can be dangerous if left. We found his leg has started to curve, and so began the fight for a second opinion.

After a long process, Royal Glasgow Childrens Hospital have agreed to do the full treatment for

reside in Invergordon and as you can imagine, this will be a tough process for us being away from home for around 8 to 12 weeks while Thomas is initially treated. NHS Highland only provide a small cost towards accommodation and so we need to Akheera Macrae was delighted to make it through an audition to secure a part in this year’s Christmas pantomime at Eden Court, Jack and the Beanstalk.

20

find the rest of the money, as well as helping to subsidise our partners income while he takes time off work where he can.

We have decided to start a Go Fund Me page to hopefully help with the costs involved. You can find it at https://www.gofundme.com/ thomasclubfootjourney It’s not just about money though we want to raise awareness too and help parents feel less alone in their talipes journey. We are sharing our story on Facebook- just search Thomas and His Talipes Tale.

We’d love any support you are able to offer!

From Kimberley, John and Thomas

Eden Court delight for A kh e e r a

COMMUNITY STARS

220 mile cycle for Glasgow Children’s Hospital ward Robert Ross will cycle 220 miles in September - from the Schiehallion Ward of Glasgow Children’s Hospital all the way to Tain - in an effort to raise funds for the ward.

Speaking last month, Robert said; “Me and 9 friends will be

starting out on our 220 Mile cycle to raise money for the Schiehallion Ward, where my oldest son Jordan has been receiving treatment for leukaemia. We could never thank the Hospital and the Ward enough for all they have done for Jordan and our family, so we’re trying to raise as much as we can.”

The cycle will start in Glasgow on the 26th September and the girup hope to be back in Tain for the 28th.

They will follow up the cycle with a charity event at Platform 1864 which will be held on September 29th along with a raffle and auction.

This past month, Tain & District Medical Group did their bit to keep Robert and his friends safe on their journey by donating a first aid kit (pictured left).

Anyone wishing to donate items for the raffle please contact Robert via Facebook. Anyone willing to donate to the group’s fundraising efforts, please follow the link below. https://www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/robert-ross7

Bruce’s Bargains Household Items Greeting Cards Accessories

OPENING SOON Hartfield Road, Tain

(01862) 894125 21

What is the oldest item we have in our collection?

This was one of a series of excellent questions put to us by the pupils of Knockbreck Primary School whilst on a visit earlier this year. The oldest items are almost all fossils including a stunning example of a 350 million year old fossil fish found in Edderton burn but I would like to show you some of the oldest manmade items we have in the museum.

They are two stone axe heads and a stone arrow head from the late Neolithic or early Bronze Age and could be as much as 4 to 5 thousand years old.

Neolithic Polished Stone Axe Head This large stone Neolithic axe head is 260mm long and made from polished green stone from the Langdale Pikes in Cumbria. It was found in the chimney of a cottage in Millcraig, Alness. It was a widely held belief in Scotland that polished stone axes were thunderbolts fallen from the sky and would bring good luck to a house and protect against lightning. It is an impressive item that would have taken weeks of hard work to create. Having the opportunity to handle it earlier this year it is easy to see how these items were believed to hold magical powers.

Authorville Axe Head This Neolithic axe head was found by Dusty Vass whilst building a new house just north of Authurville Poor House in Tain during the 1980’s. It is almost heart shaped and made from an orange coloured polished stone. The owner of this axe head could be one of Tain’s earliest farmers and he may be buried in one of the many Neolithic chambered cairns which can be found on the hill sides in Easter-ross.

22

Stone Arrow Head This expertly crafted small arrowhead made of grey stone was found at the Fendom, Tain by John MacAngus in 1955. It is one of many ancient finds from this area.

A large barbed and tanged arrow head was found on Tain beach by Margaret Urquhart in 1998 is now in the National Museum in Edinburgh. The National Museum also houses a stunning Bronze Age sword found on the Morrich More in the 1850’s, as well as a beautiful jet necklace that was found in a short cist at Torr Sgriobhaidh, Balblair, Edderton.

SAVING EASTER ROSS IMAGES

Our Heritage Lottery Project is just a few months old and already we have had some wonderful donations of photographs from the public. We will be holding exhibitions at Tain, Edderton and the Seaboard, over the next few months, where you can come and have a look at our huge collection of old photographs. If you have any photographs of our area and would like to share them, please take them along to the museum or give us a call.

The photograph above was donated by Derek Louden and pictures the staff of the Tain Laundry. It would be great to put some names and a date to the image before we add it to our archives, can anyone help? You can find us on Facebook - Tain & District Museum and Clan Ross Centre 23

TAIN PUBLIC LIBRARY - summer activities

A few photos from the many summer activites that took place at Tain Public Library during the holidays. Lots of fun had by all!

Answers to Kids’ Quiz on Page 19: 1. Abu 2. A crab 3. Honey bee 4. Brazil 5. Purple 6. Pluto 7.

Denim 8. Olaf 9. Spanish 10. Laughing out loud 24

In our last issue we printed a photograph to accompany an appeal for a school reunion, however the photograph pictured was incorrect. We send our apologies to Hugh for this oversight. The correct photo is now shown above! Pictured is the Tain Royal Academy 4th year class of 1966.

WERE YOU A MEMBER OF THIS CLASS?

A 50 year anniversary re-union has been planned for later this year. Please contact Hugh Skinner (01862 832897) or Ross Balfour (01862 832485) for more details.

BABY & TODDLER GROUPS 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

25

Book Bug Sessions Tain Library Wednesdays 1111.30

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

K & N Concepts Ltd Website & logo design

~

Database development niall.harkiss@kandnconcepts.co.uk

07527 134 574 TAIN & DISTRICT BRANCH CATS PROTECTION Telephone: (0345) 371 2737 Email: taincats@aol.com www.tain.cats.org.uk

EMPIRE FOODS TAIN WHOLESALE For more information on how you can advertise in the Tain & District Picture Post, please send an email to info@tainpost.co.uk 26

FRUIT VEGETABLES POTATOES AND FREE RANGE EGGS CONTACT MICHAEL ON

0790 095 8665

“Stay and Play” at Tain Youth Cafe Stay and Play is a group that meet every Friday in the youth cafe at 1030 dedicated to pre walkers. It is run by the lovely Helen who is not only brilliant with the babies but is a great ear when you just need to let off some steam.

A calm and welcoming group to have a play, a natter and a biscuit. Always here to welcome new babies and their carers.

“Friendly warm welcoming. Great place 2 form life long friends” Mum to Maisie “Great place for babies to socialise and play , it’s nice to get some adult conversation. I’ve made some good friends , My daughter and I always look forward to a Friday” Mum to Luna “Great place for new mums to meet and let their little ones play and make friends too” Mum to Jaimie-Rose

For information on how you can advertise your business in the Picture Post, please send an email to info@tainpost.co.uk

PICTURE POST

PRINTING Photocopying A4 & A3 Printing Business Cards, Menus, Booklets & Brochures

Call

(01862) 832329

For more information on Tain Youth Forum please visit their Facebook page.

27

LODGE ST DUTHUS NO. 82

Inaugural Charity Dinner for Tain Lodge As written by Gary Ross On 27th October 2018 Lodge St Duthus will be hosting their inaugural Charity Dinner, which was boosted by the news that the Guest Speaker on the evening will be former Scotland and Celtic Star, Mr Frank McAvennie.

We were further delighted when Mrs Laura Dundas of Greens Restaurant agreed to do the catering for our event. Anyone that’s visited her new restaurant in Tain will surely understand why.

The aim of the evening is solely to raise much needed funds for a host of charities. At Lodge St Duthus we are proud to support a number of charities including CLIC Sergeant, MFR Cash for Kids, and Alzheimer Scotland amongst others. We are also heavily involved in the support of The Mountain View School for Deaf Children, Malawi, and are delighted to have Bro Ramsay McGhee with us on the evening to give us all a short update on the current situation at the Mountain View School.

Ramsay visited the School last summer and the below abstract was taken from his diary / report.

“Priority of course, was to get to the Mountain View School for Deaf Children where, on arrival, instead of meeting with the children as we have done in the past, we had a meeting with Mrs Modester Jere, the Headmistress.

It was quite a difficult meeting as, when asked what the priorities were, Modester looked me straight in the eye and responded with one word – food.

The meagre income the school can generate was insufficient to feed the 140 children resident there. Second, the mattresses the children are sleeping on are over 20 years old and are well past the sell by date. Third, new blankets are needed, especially now

when the temperature drops quite considerably. Fourth, the teachers are having to resort to hand writing exam papers as they only have one computer in the school and cannot afford the cartridges for the one printer they have. They have no transport either?

That’s where we stopped – quite a list of priorities. However, on a brighter note it was time to go and meet the children and young people.

I should say that Modester and the staff are eternally grateful for the response by the Province when the water supply totally failed and we covered the cost of the new solar pump which is working admirably. “ The Provincial Grand Master and his team answered the Headmistresses pleas immediately and arranged Maize, new mattresses, blankets and some new computers.

WE NEED YOU!!!

To make the evening a success, and to continue our support of these fantastic and worthwhile charities, come along and help us add to the remarkable changes we’re proud to be part of.

Tickets are on sale now, priced at £45pp which includes entry, 3 course meal and welcome drink. The event is fully licensed, and we’ll have an Auction and Raffle on the evening.

Tickets available by contacting Gary Ross on 07920058576 or via email gary_ross200@btinternet.com Finally, I would like to thank all the businesses that have shown us a great deal of support through the donation of our fantastic auction and raffle items. This support is very much appreciated.

Former Celtic, West Ham and Scotland striker Frank McAvennie is the guest speaker for the evening.

28

various sport The Northern Counties Ladies Golf Association held their 2018 girls championship at Tain Golf Club this past month, and had representation from across the North of Scotland, including girls competing from Tain.

Prize winners were: 1st scratch - Sarah Westwood, Elgin 83 2nd scratch - Mollie O’Brien, Reay 85 1st handicap - Hannah Riddell, Royal Dornoch 76 2nd handicap - Katrina Tan, Nairn 77

Congratulations go to Andrew Adamson from St Duthus Bowling Club and Meg Macdonald from Alness who won the Glenmorangie Mixed Pairs on Sunday 5th August. It was the 3rd time in a row and the 5th time in total that the pair have won the competition together.

Maree and Elise after day 2 at Dunedin Challenge Meet. A long weekend for Maree and Elise at Dunedin Challenge Meet - well worth it going by the results and medals hanging off their necks!

Elise entered 13 swims in the 11-12 age group and won 12 medals (11 gold & 1 silver). She also broke two pool records and won best overall girl of the meet.

Maree entered 9 swims in the 15+ age group and won 9 medals (7 gold & 2 silver). Both girls also won £100 each in their category: (Maree 4 x £25 for fastest 50m / Elise 2 x £25 for fastest 50m and £50 for best girl) An amazing achievement for one weekend!

29

TAIN GOLF CLUB - GOLF WEEK

Written by Robin Wilson After losing two July finals at his home club of Inverness, the Inverness Club Championship and the Inverness Four Day tournament, Tain’s Keiran Mackay began August with a change of fortune when he won the scratch McVitie & Price Cup in the MacDonald Haulage Contractors Tain Four Day competition last week.

Mackay, now aged 22, last won this

tournament in 2015 beating that years club champion Alan Everett in the final and when he saw the current club champion and leading qualifier, Lyle McAlpine eliminated in the quarter finals, he booked his place in the final with a semi final win over club mate Sean Kennedy.

His opponent in the final was the surprise package from Fife, Ross Moir, a member of the Dukes Course near st.

Andrews who showed his credentials

Photos of the winners (Mary Smith, Morag Sutherland, Avril Haughton, Iona Ferries) pictured with the trophies from the Mackenzie and Cormack Open Ladies Competition which was held on the Saturday of Golf Week.

MIXED OPEN GREENSOMES Competiton at Tain on Sunday, 23 September 2018.

Enter via the Tain Golf website: tain-golfclub.co.uk 30

earlier by shooting a two under par 68 to win the previous Saturday’s 18 hole stroke-play Open then then after qualifying for the match-play stages become the conqueror of McAlpine, the winner of the past two years.

On his fourth visit to Ross-shire Moir also fitted in a visit to Durness on Sunday and won again but it was just a shadow of the Fifer who turned up for the final and with a birdie on the ninth hole Mackay was three ahead

and increased his lead to four after ten.

Bunkering his tee shot from the 12th tee Moir went five down and when Mackay unleashed a 350 year drive from the par five 13th tee he easily made birdie four to end the contest with a 6 and 5 result.

There was also a comfortable winning margin in the final of the Stirling Cup between local John Bell and a returning senior to the North, Willie Donnelly.

The ex Fortrose & Rosemarkie and Forres member won the North District Senior Championship five years ago before retiring to Atherstone in Warwickshire and joining Maxstock Park Golf Club.

“I have come back as the “Warwickshire Warier” and love playing these these sun burnt links “is what he said to me when playing the “Alps” 11th hole with a four hole lead. From the tee Bell had found an unplayable lie and had to take a penalty drop and went five behind. The now 67 year old Donnelly,who had beaten his son in the quarter finals eventually won on the sixteenth green.

The Munroe Rose Bowl is the prize for the next group of match-play handicap qualifiers and into this final went Conor Toal from Old Ranfurly who progressed through the draw twice from life saving holes. He beat home member Gordon Allan at the 19th in the quarter finals, then in the semi-final from the 18th tee hooked to the wrong side of the first fairway. Still faced with 197 yards to the green he miraculously holed his six iron shot for eagle two leaving local teenager Scott MacDougall (17) speechless.

Toal’s final against a third local, Fraser Oman, went his way when carrying a two hole advantage from winning the final two outward holes. Toal rode his luck again at the par five 13th when requiring a penalty drop he still made par and won the hole to go ahead before closing out the game out on the sixteenth green by 3&2.

The home club were guaranteed a winner from the final of the Brookes Cup when two former club captains, Rob Hudson (2010) and Robin Nairn (2014) squared up to each other. In the semi-final Hudson ended the menace of visitor John McBeath (Radcliffe

on Trent) and Nairn ousted David Kellock (Barrassie). The cup became Nairn’s possession when he won the par five hole with birdie and the next where Hudson lost two golf balls. More trouble for Hudson at the fifteenth and he conceded to a 5&3 result.

Tain Match-Play Results- (All Tain Unless Stated) McVitie & Price Cup; Rd 1 – L McAlpine bt B Campbell 4/2.

R Moir (The Dukes) bt D Newbigging (F&R) 3/2. A Everett bt D Vass 3/2. D Jack bt D Clarke 2/1. S Kennedy bt M Ryan 6/4. A MacFarlane (RAC) 21st. K Hamilton (Didsbury) bt B Urquhart 3/2. K MacKay bt C McAlpine 6/5. Rd 2 – R Moir bt L McAlpine 4/2. Jack bt Everett 1 hole.

Kennedy bt MacFarlane 6/5.

Mackay bt Hamilton 3/2.

Semis – Moir bt Jack 2/1.

Mackay bt Kennedy 2up.

Final – Mackay bt Moir 6/5.

Stirling Cup Semi Finals – J Bell bt S Lloyd 3/1. W Donnelly (Atherson) bt A Pater (Panal) 5/4.

Final – Donnelly bt Bell 4/3. Munro Rose Bowl – Semi Finals – C Toal (Old Ranfurly bt S MacDougall 1hole. F Oman bt A Aitken (Peebles) 2/1. Final – Toal bt Oman 3/2. Brookes Cup. Semi Finals - R Hudson bt J McBeath (Radcliffe on Trent) 2 up. R Nairn bt D Kellock (Barassie) 2/1. Final Nairn bt Hudson 5/3.

Tain Golf Week has an interest for every golfer during the qualifying rounds. Women are invited to take part in a two day stableford competition.

Teenager Molly O’Brien (Reay) won the Flower Shop London House Cup with two cards of 34 & 33 points while the Mary Hayden Trophy for runner up was won by local Angela Ross with 66 points.

Then in the Men’s qualifying rounds Alan

31

Everett and Sean Kennedy combined to win the scratch pairs while handicap winners were John McBeath (Radcliffe on Trent) and Andrew MacFarlane (RAC). A Tain favourite, Martin Ryan, won the seniors cup and at the end of the week when the families got together for the open mixed foursomes a former scratch winner Munro Ferries took helped by his teenage daughter Iona (14) grabbed a third place with 36 stableford points behind the winners from Ladybank, Mr & Mrs Bob Robertson on 37 points. Wedged in between Peter and Veronica Wilson (Rochdale), also 36 points.

Young Saints off the mark with Highland League victory

Report by Adam Borland St Duthus FC Under 17s got off the mark in their debut Highland Football League North Division campaign with a thrilling 4-3 home victory against a very solid and well drilled Lossiemouth U17’s side on Sunday.

St Duthus, playing only their second game in their new league since revival this summer, and having been beaten by Clachnacuddin last week were looking to assert themselves in the game early. However the lads couldn’t have got off to much worse of a start. Following on from a Saints kickoff, Lossie instantly broke, and after an intricate piece of play down the wing and a pinpoint cross, James BADENOCH had the visitors in front in about 46 seconds.

The Saints, keen to not let this early setback get in the way, looked to retaliate in kind soon after the restart, but a threatening cross

by Scott Taylor was well dealt with by Rian Wilson in the Lossiemouth goal.

A few minutes later, the visiting defence was tested again by a Saints free kick but sharp distribution by the Lossiemouth defence led to another chance for the visitors, who were visibly buoyed by their fast start.

A break, tearing through the middle of the home defence put home ‘keeper Aneek Khan in bother in a one on one situation, but a brilliant save put the ball a few feet past his left hand post and out of the reach of Luke Falconer who was following up for the visitors. The resulting corner was well dealt with by Scott McIvor and Lossiemouth were pushed back to half way, however a fantastic pass, curling away from Khan and today’s captain Calum Robinson, found BADENOCH who slotted home his and Lossie’s second of the game, leaving the boys with a mountain to climb.

It almost got worse after the restart as Lossiemouth looked to put the game to bed early. A corner followed by a scramble on the six yard line left the small pocket of home support (who were well positioned and out of the rain) to collectively exhale when the ball was finally cleared by Robinson.

The support would then get something to cheer about as following this clearance, a wonderful through ball by Kenny Patience found Taylor Anderson goal-side of his marker, and after his one on one effort was saved by Wilson in the Lossie goal, the rebound fell to Scott TAYLOR who, showing great composure under pressure, rounded three defenders and clinically slotted the ball under the onrushing goalkeeper to give the #YoungSaints their first goal of the season in the 16th minute.

This seemed to spur the lads on a bit, with the next ten minutes played almost solely in the Lossiemouth half as the Saints looked for, what had seemed after the opening minutes, an unlikely equaliser.

Gordie Bryce, Kenny Patience and Scott Taylor were linking well down the right side, which at this point was the main channel of attack, and this led to half chances for both Keir Carson and Taylor Anderson. A slick one-two by Patience and Bryce gave Carson an opportunity twenty yards out. When his effort cannoned off a defender, it fell to Anderson whose snapshot deflected out for a throw in.

The visitors remained dangerous on the counter attack with all four members of the defensive unit being tested by through balls and neat play by Lossiemouth as they looked to reassert their early dominance. However clear cut chances for both sides were few and far between. Scott Taylor found the side netting for Saints amid passionate shouts for a goal kick as he rounded Callum Nairn of Lossiemouth very close to the byline and five minutes later, Taylor turned provider - having himself been fed by Carson after a neat piece of skill- setting up an opportunity for the debuting Vincent Davies, but his volley flew well wide and out for a goal kick. From this goal kick, Lossie’s captain Wilson found a teammate, however Davies’ partner in central midfield Aiden Stainke brought him down, leading to a free kick to Lossiemouth and a talking to for Stainke.

32

Two smart saves from Khan in the St Duthus goal in minutes thirty seven and eight denied Callum Kerrigan and Branford Edgar respectively as the game’s tide swung once again in favour of the visitors. Lossie passed the ball well, holding possession in midfield making it difficult for the Saints’ midfield trio of Davies, Stainke and Patience to gain control of the ball. However, when they did so, they did with good effect, instantly releasing Scott Taylor on the right hand side. Taylor was fouled on the edge of the box by Mikey Bond, who had been substituted on by Lossiemouth just a few minutes earlier, leaving Saints with an opportunity to test the Lossie rearguard from a set play. This chance was not taken however, as the commanding captain of the seasoned side claimed Michael Fraser’s free kick with several Saints close by. A scrappy few minutes followed with neither side playing their best football.

Consecutive defensive miscommunications first from St Duthus and then from Lossiemouth led to half chances for both, but the ‘keepers had little to worry about. Saints’ Scott Taylor and Keir Carson exchanged some neat passing with the former dragging his shot straight to the feet of Wilson in the away goal from distance. The first half ended as it started, with Lossie in the ascendancy. A free kick following an offside call against Anderson caused mayhem on the edge of the home box where any convincing connection by an attacker could have been problematic for the home side. The ball was eventually cleared

by Robinson and Anderson hit a speculative first time volley towards goal as the ball came to him, but the away ‘keeper dealt with it well as the referee blew the whistle to conclude the first half, with Saints 2-1 down.

Half time: St Duthus 1 Lossiemouth 2 Lossie kicked off the second half and were it not for a fine one on one save from

Khan in the home goal, would have started it as they started the first. At this point Saints reshuffled the pack, bringing on another debutant in Nathan Corbett for Gordie Bryce, with Corbett slotting into the midfield and Kenny Patience moving back into right-back. This was followed by the game suddenly opening up. A through ball intended for Taylor Anderson that was well defended by Harry McIntosh was the highlight for the Saints, in six or seven minutes that could only be described as end-to-end. Saints’ young ‘keeper made a fine stop following a sweeping move by the visitors which acted as a fine reminder that they were very much a force to be reckoned with. Khan’s distribution was then at the fore, finding Keir Carson, whose effort from distance flew wide and into the car park.

However, Lossie weren’t done, with Saints’ Michael Fraser being caught on the wrong side of Luke Falconer, whose effort was gathered by Khan.

Two minutes later, the game was turned on its head. Slick passing and fantastic movement down the right hand side by Stainke, Patience, Carson and Corbett led to a cross that found the head of Scott Taylor, whose misdirected header fell perfectly to Taylor ANDERSON who volleyed into the bottom left corner on his weaker left foot from twenty yards. And the lads weren’t ready to relax either, Davies was fouled after a nice run, and the resultant free kick was taken by Carson who beat wall and goalkeeper, but saw his effort fly agonisingly wide of the target. Two minutes later, Davies was at the heart of a move that stunned the home dugout. His ball to Stainke was brilliantly redirected into the path of Scott Taylor who, in full flight, rounded his marker and fired a shot across Wilson in the Lossie goal. His parry could only find the head of Davies who had continued his run.

Davies’ header fizzed back across the box to TAYLOR, who volleyed home in superb style from mid-air to put St Duthus 3-2

ahead with half an hour to play.

Saints perhaps rode their luck in the two minutes that followed and Lossiemouth will possibly feel aggrieved that they were not awarded a penalty after Scott McIvor came out on top of a 50/50 in the penalty box. Shouts fell upon deaf ears though as the visitors looked to re-establish dominance having been stunned by the #YoungSaints.

Khan was again Saints’ saviour as he was off his line quickly to collect a through ball and he looked to turn provider setting Scott Taylor off down the left in a move that led to a corner after Taylor himself had a shot well saved. From the resulting corner, Fraser’s ball into the box flew over the heads of all at the front post including both Scott McIvor and Scott Taylor and fell to Nathan Corbett who must have thought he’d secured a debut goal, but his volley was unbelievably saved by a diving Wilson from point blank range.

Then the game swung again, this time in favour of Lossiemouth. Falconer hit the side netting in a one on one that came from nowhere, with the defence being caught sleeping. Then came the chance of the match. Falconer once again was played through, this time by Kiegis Henderson who was earlier brought on by the visitors.

Having rounded Khan, the entirety of the ground thought he’d scored, but moving away from goal at the acutest of angles, he was very unlucky to hit the post from no more than two feet. Falconer would have his reprieve ninety seconds later, playing a lovely ball between Fraser and Patience to his strike partner Branford EDGAR who slotted past a despairing Khan to equalise. This equilibrium only lasted for three minutes.

As Nathan Corbett was closed down in the middle of the park, he pulled off a fantastic piece of skill to leave three defenders in his wake. He then played a perfectly weighted pass through to Taylor ANDERSON who cut back onto his right foot and lobbed the ball exquisitely into the top right corner of the net over the advancing ‘keeper to restore

the Saints’ lead at 4-3.

Lossie almost instantly retaliated.

Dangerous as ever on the break, the visitors played in Edgar, whose effort was blocked by a sliding Aiden Stainke. With ten minutes plus stoppage time to play, Finn Macleod came off the bench to replace Vincent Davies and was involved in a move that broke down following a well defended Lossie free kick. Lossiemouth kept on coming though and once again it fell to Khan to make a save from Mikey Bond. Good work from Nathan Corbett in the middle of the park led to a half chance for himself, but Lossie countered effectively and once again could have scored when Khan slipped when attempting to retrieve a through ball, however the effort went only a few inches past the far post from a difficult angle.

Lossiemouth continued their onslaught on the Saints’ goal with a few shots flying wide of the target. A counter by St Duthus forced a good save from the Lossie captain, but the ball came straight back into the Saints half.

Luke Falconer, playing up front for the visitors then went into the book due to a foul on Robinson while trying to retrieve a pass from a teammate. The home side, looking for time, fired the free kick into the corner and earned another after another foul on Robinson. In the third minute of injury time Lossie looked to release a ball up their left, but Khan was out fantastically to clear the ball out for a Lossiemouth throw, taking a knock in the process, causing a delay in the game. After Khan was treated, a melee on the edge of the box ensued as both sides frantically tried to control the throw in.

The ball finally dribbled out of play and, much to the relief of the tens of home supporters, for a goal kick. Finally, after 96 minutes and a fantastic game the final whistle was blown, the #YoungSaints running out 4-3 winners.

Full time: St Duthus 4 Lossiemouth 3

WELFARE FOOTBALL BALINTORE Welfare Football Club captured the Ross-shire Welfare League title for the first time since 2010 this past month.

The league championship had required a play-off match to decide its destination after Balintore and rivals Invergordon Social Club had been locked on points at the end of a long summer season competing for honours, also in contention with Eastern Rose FC and Tarbat Ness FC. On the night of the playoff after a 1-1 draw, penalties were needed to determine the winners and the village side secured the silverware with a 5-4 shoot-out win.

33

SPORTS “OLD FILE”

Above: Competitors in The DGS Shield, held at Tain Rifle & Pistol Club in 1984. Upon close inspection, it appears that the photograph itself may have been used for target practice at some point!

Thank you to Jim Jardine for his reflections below on the history of the DGS Films Shield.

The subject of this month’s sporting “Old File” is the DGS Films Shield, a competition which first started in 1984 and was sponsored by Mr Dennis Gain of DGS Films, Edderton. Hosted by Tain Rifle and Pistol Club, the competition was held annually for eleven years.

This event took place at a time when legal ownership of handguns was still permitted and at this time, the Tain Club had a membership of over 100 people.

The course of fire known as Police Pistol 1, was; 12 shots in two minutes at 25 metres from the target 12 shots at 15 metres – where the target

appeared 12 times for 2 seconds 6 shots at ten metres– where the target appeared for 2 seconds and two shots were fired at each appearance.

The photograph above is of the first shoot in 1984 – The winner was Mr Bill Heard.

The pairs winners were Jim Jardine and Jim Harkiss, and the Tain ‘A’ team won the team competition, which consisted of Charlie Begg, John McRae, Jim Jardine and Jim Harkiss.

The competition was supplemented by a superb barbeque, laid on and served by Dennis Gain and his son, Philip. This was well received by both the competitors and spectators alike.

Subsequent years saw teams entering from Aberdeen Police, West Mercia Police, Fort William Police and other clubs from the Highlands.

34

The Dennis Gain Shield was to be awarded to the highest scoring “Tain Club Member” and a separate 1st placed winners medal going to the highest scoring shooter being a non club member, or club member being classed as “the overall winner.”

The record shows that Jim Jardine, a Tain Club member won the Dennis Gain Shield 7 years in a row – 1985-1991, together with the highest overall score in 6 out of the 7 years.

The competition came to an end in 1995 when hand guns were banned from public ownership.

A competition was started using a similar course of fire to that of the Police Pistol 1 competition but by using rifles instead of pistols. This eventually came to an end.

2018-19 football fixtures HIGHLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE U17 NORTH FIXTURES for ST DUTHUS FC U17s

19/8 26/8 2/9 9/9 16/9 23/9 30/9 7/10 28/10 11/11 18/11 25/11 2/12 9/12 16/12 13/1 20/1 27/1 3/2 10/2 17/2 24/2

Clachnacuddin (H) Lost 0-7 Lossiemouth (H) Won 4-3 Fort William (H) Wick Academy (A) Buckie Thistle (A) Dingwall (H) Alness United (H) Nairn County (A) Rothes (A) Brora Rangers (H) Forres Mechanics (A) Lossiemouth (A) Clachnacuddin (A) Fort William (A) Wick Academy (H) Buckie Thistle (H) Dingwall (A) Nairn County (H) Alness United (A) Rothes (H) Brora Rangers (A) Forres Mechanics (H)

NORTH CALEDONIAN LEAGUE SENIOR FIXTURES for ST DUTHUS FC

Fixtures are league matches unless otherwise specified.

1/9 8/9 15/9 22/9 29/9 6/10 13/10 20/10 27/10 3/11 10/11 17/11 1/12 8/12 15/12

Nairn County u20 (A) (FT Cup R1) Invergordon (H) Alness United (A) League game TBC (or FT Cup QF) Orkney (H) League game TBC (or FT Cup Semi) Thurso (H) Bunillidh Thistle (A) (or FT Cup Final) Halkirk United (H) Inverness Athletic (A) Golspie Sutherland (H) Nairn or Alness (A) (NC Cup QF) TBC Orkney (A) TBC

More info: www.stduthusfc.co.uk

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

COMMUNITY EVENTS 2nd September - Football: St Duthus v Fort William (Highland League U17 North) - 2pm kick off at the Links 3rd September - Open meeting held at Tain Parish church at 7:30pm to discuss marking the remembrance of WW1 - Tain Choral Group - Rehearsals for Christmas Concert between 7:30pm and 9:30pm at Duthac Cenrtre 4th September - ‘Mischief Makers’ Reading Challenge medal and certificate from 4:30pm at Tain Library 6th September - Rehearsals begin for Easter Ross Musical Theatre for their production “The Addams Family” from 7.30pm at the Duthac Centre 8th September - Football: St Duthus v Invergordon (North Caledonian League) - 2.30pm kick off at the Links 12th September - Dornoch Community Market at the Cathedral Square, from 9:30am to 1:00pm 11th September - Tain & District Field Club Lecture - The Fern Guide Dr.James Merryweather (Kyle of Lochalsh) at Tain Parish Church from 7:30pm 14th September - Royal Burgh of Tain Pipe Band on Tain High Street from 7.30pm (last night of the season) 15th September - Beach clean at Nigg with Marine Conservation.

Beach combing & beach clean 17th-18th September - School in-service days 21st September - Tain Golf Club - Alan Stein Seniors Open (60+).

Entry via www.tain-golfclub.co.uk 22nd September - Tain Community Market at Rose Gardens in Tain.

From 10am to 4pm.

23rd September - Football: St Duthus v Dingwall (Highland League U17 North) - 2pm kick off at the Links - Tain Golf Club - Mixed Open Greensomes. Entry via www.tain-golfclub.co.uk 29th September - Football: St Duthus v Orkney (North Caledonian League) - 12.30pm kick off at the Links - Book fair at Nigg hall from 10am-1pm (free entry) - Fundraising raffle and auction night at Platform 1864 in aid of funds for Glasgow Children’s Ward.

30th September - Football: St Duthus v Alness United (Highland League U17 North) - 2pm kick off at the Links - Tain Golf Club - Autumn Open. Entry via www.taingolfclub.co.uk

Village Store, Post Office and Butchers. Providing Quality, Value and Service to the local community of Fearn and surrounding Villages.

“Coming soon” - Delivery service, check for updates on our facebook page.

Tel (01862) 832061 www.highlandprime.co.uk

TAIN & DISTRICT PICTURE POST

(01862) 832329 Please send contributions to: info@tainpost.co.uk