Back to School
The Lords’ team was sent back to Freuchie Primary School on Sunday afternoon. Had Fife Council Education Services finally tracked down those Freuchie lads who had spent way too much time on the cricket field? Certainly not! Their presence was required at a tree planting ceremony commemorating their 1985 achievement.
Commemoration plaque secured to the school wall
Elizabeth Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, was enthusiastic about taking part in Freuchie’s Glorious Weekend celebration of the Lords’ victory. Liz, who is no stranger to cricket, is a former member of the Scottish Ladies Cricket X1, a Governor of George Watson’s College in Edinburgh, Deputy Convener of the Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Sport, a coach of two girls’ cricket teams and has been an admirer of Freuchie Cricket Club’s achievements for many years.
Elizabeth Smith MSP at Freuchie’s Glorious Weekend
Liz was delighted to be involved in the tree planting ceremony and spoke of the wonderful cooperation in Freuchie between village, club and school to the benefit of the whole community:
"I remember the famous Lords’ occasion in September 1985 very well indeed. It was an extraordinary achievement by the 13 men from Freuchie and a real boost for Scottish cricket, the benefits of which I believe we are still enjoying 25 years on. In particular, I congratulate Freuchie Cricket Club on its youth development programme and on its strong links with the local primary school in the grounds of which 13 fruit trees will be planted to celebrate the 1985 victory. That feature is a terrific link between the cricket stars of the past as those of the future."
Side note: The club hopes to arrange a match next summer with Liz’s under 14 girls team, so come on Freuchie girls start training now, the facilities are there.
The tree planting delegation and VIPs listens to Liz Smith’s tribute
Left to Right: Ann Duncan (wife of Alan Duncan), George Crichton, Stewart Irvine, Mark Wilkie, Dave Cowan, Fraser Irvine, Sir Menzies Campbell MP, Dave Christie, Brian Christie, Andy Crichton, Elizabeth Smith MSP, Bob McFarlane (President, Cricket Scotland) and his daughter and Pete Hepplewhite
Formalities complete, it was down to the Lords’ players and their representatives to plant the new fruit orchard.
[ Click on any photograph to see a larger version ]
Davie Cowan aka “Coo” plants a Pear “Williams” tree
Ann Duncan plants an Apple “Tydeman’s Early” on behalf of her hubby Alan aka “Duffers”
Ann had a starring role in the 1985 BBC and STV documentaries which were running in the clubhouse all weekend, courtesy of the broadcasters and Black Light.
Editor’s comment: It was noted Alan didn’t turn up until after Mr 60 Minutes had finished up for the day and gone home. Could this be another “Stig” type identity? Just a thought!
Mark Wilkie plants a Pear “"Williams” with headteacher Rona MacLean-Ross keeping a watchful eye for any misbehaviour
Pete Hepplewhite plants a Pear “Conference” tree
Stewart Irvine aka “Jasper” plants an Apple “Blenheim Orange” tree
Brian Christie puts an Apple “Ellison’s Orange” into the ground
Fraser Irvine plants an Apple “Blenheim Orange”
George Crichton jokingly asks, “Where’s the rest of it?”, as he plants an Apple “Charles Ross” tree
Club President Ian Paterson aka “Patsy” is honoured to plant a Cherry “Stella” tree on behalf of Niven McNaughton
Editor’s comment: The tree planting was really motoring at this point! Our photographer wasn’t getting a moment to line up the shots before the tree was planted and it was onto the next one. Please send us any better photos you may have of Patsy planting this tree.
Many people expressed their delight to see Niven had managed along to the club on the Sunday even if someone had to stand in for him at the tree planting ceremony.
Andy Crichton plants an Apple “Charles Ross”
Dave “Dad” Christie gets help from Jasper to plant an Apple “Ellison’s Orange” tree
Davie Houston aka “Housty” plants a Pear “Williams” on behalf of George Wilson… but where’s Robbie!
And finally…
Alan Wood of Norsk Hydro, a sponsor of the 1980’s, plants an Apple “Bramley” on behalf of Terry Trewartha
Gasp! Job done and it was time to watch Freuchie beat Falkland.
The Daily Record produced an excellent reunion article earlier in the week which provides a little background on each player and their contribution to the victorious Village Cup run. We heartedly recommend you take a look if you’ve not already done so.
Once again there are so many people to thank for making this special commemoration possible: headteacher Rona Maclean-Ross; the pupils and the staff of the school; our invited VIP guests; the Lords’ squad and their representatives. There is also a long list of people who shovelled and trundled barrows around to prepare the ground: David Girdwood; Andy Mather; Mrs.Lesley Thomson; Mrs. Catriona Nimmo; Mrs. Wendy Simpson; Gill Milne; Mrs. Cam McIvor and Scott McCrone. Thank you one and all.
It is heartening to see the Fife Council Community Payback Offender’s Scheme being used for such good work in our little village. A big show of appreciation to the staff and clients of the service who also put in so much hard work.
Members of the community who missed the start of the Freuchie vs Falkland 20/20 match to watch the ceremony should also be thanked for choosing to come along to witness this historic moment.
Editor’s comment: Hopefully we’ve not missed anyone out!
One final thing, the man from Del Monte has been on the phone and he says “Yes”! – for those too young to remember the advertising campaign, you can check out this advert on YouTube.
Technorati Tags: Alan Duncan, Ann Duncan, Brian Christie, cricket, Dave Christie, Dave Cowan, Davie Houston, Fraser Irvine, Freuchie, Freuchie Cricket Club, Freuchie Primary School, George Crichton, George Wilson, Liz Smith MSP, Mark Wilkie, Niven McNaughton, Pete Hepplewhite, Sir Menzies Campbell MP, Stewart Irvine