Football (of a sort) in aid of Bressay pitch
DURING Wimbledon, two Bressay ferry men fell out as to who was the better tennis player.
Challenges were issued and it was decided that a tennis match between the two protagonists would be the centrepiece of a Bressay fun day, to be held as a means of raising funds for a Bressay sports field.
However, one of the would be tennis players turned out to be not as fit as he thought he was and pulled a muscle during a gentle practice session, resulting in the tennis match having to be cancelled, but the fun day still went ahead.
The day started with a four-a-side football tournament at the multi-court, where players aged from six to 60 enthusiastically took part. Some of the older players fairly strutted their stuff (the county manager could do worse than run the rule over Jed Westmoreland) with searing bursts over two to three yards, followed by two to three minutes of not being able to get out of the bit.
The prize for the best fancy dress went to “Calamity” Jane Manson, resplendent form head to toe in a Celtic strip … Celtic strip? Fancy dress? Basically the same thing, isn’t it?
At the end of the tournament all the youngsters who took part were presented with medals. The organising committee also presented medals to the older players for showing valour in the face of great odds, not to mention middle age spread etc. Geordie Priest deserves a special mention.
In the afternoon there were various activities in the hall, face painting, guess the baby, a bottle stall and an outdoor treasure hunt, which was won by Ewan, April, Alexis and Kayleigh Anderson.
The afternoon finished with a three-legged beer race, the overall winners being Keith and April Anderson. However, much later in the night and after a few pints, Keith confessed to cheating inasmuch as they topped up the pint of water they were carrying at the Mail Shop.
Sharon Anderson (no relation) was also implicated in the conspiracy, which led to talk of her having to put back her tractor. A meeting of the organising committee was hastily convened, but after a brief discussion and Keith buying a round, it was decided he and April could keep their title and Sharon could keep her tractor.
The runners up were “Big” Ivor Arthur – looking like an extra out of Braveheart – and his son Christopher, although there were strong suspicions that the big lad had carried his son around the course under his oxter, as there is a height difference of two to three feet.
A very successful day was rounded off with a family disco and raffle in the hall (and here a big thank you to local DJ Njal “whose this Jimmy Saville bloke” Christie-Henry).
The total sum raised for the day was about £1,200. The organisers would very much like to thank everyone who gave money and the people, shops and pubs who generously donated to the raffle. But most of all a big thank you to all the good sports who took part in the activities. Next year we will try to make it bigger and better.
Magnie Stewart
