THE 79th Oldmeldrum Sports and Highland Games on Saturday (June 20) saw a large turnout enjoy the warm weather and a packed programme of events.
This year, as 2009 is the Year of Homecoming, the Sports were officially opened by First Minister and Gordon MSP, Alex Salmond.
Speaking following conducting the opening ceremony Mr Salmond said: "It was a tremendous honour to be here today to op
en the games, and to be the first MP to do so in 58 years. Perhaps the event committee couldn't afford the expenses involved in the last half-century!
"Meldrum Sports is one of the most famous events in the North east calendar, and one which has a proud record of raising considerable sums for good causes. I congratulate all the competitors and those involved in putting the event together for what was a grand day."
Alongside the traditional Heavy and Light Events, Highland dancing and the spectacle of the massed pipe bands, the crowd were treated to a spectacular parachute display by the Scottish Infantry's own Golden Lions Freefall Parachute Display Team.
Sports Secretary Gordon Forsyth said that it was great to see such a big crowd enjoy the event and the sunshine. He was also delighted with the first "Friday Night Live", the previous evening, which was held in aid of local charity Children 1st. Organised in association with radio station Original 106, the live event featured The Gerry Jablonski Band, Eskimo Blonde and King Voodoo.
Gordon said: "All the bands had received an excellent reception from the crowd." He added that the organisers plan to build on the initial event and make it a fixture in the future.
The organising committee will not be resting on their laurels, as planning is already underway for next year's Sports, which will mark the popular event's 80th birthday.
Results were as follows:
Qualifying Heavy Events:
Light Hammer - John MacLeod; Light Stone - Sinclair Patience; Weight for Distance - Sinclair Patience; Weight for Height - Lorne Coltart; Caber - Lorne Coltart; Overall Winner - Sinclair Patience. Most Promising Athlete - Kyle Randalls.
Heavy Event:
Light Hammer - Craig Sinclair; Heavy Hammer - Craig Sinclair; Light Stone - Bruce Robb; Heavy Stone - Bruce Robb; Weight for Distance - Craig Sinclair; Weight for Height - Bruce Robb, Stephen Aitken. British Caber - Bruce Robb, Stephen Aitken. Overall Champion - Bruce Robb
Light Events:
Long Jump - Fraser Davidson; High Jump - Fraser Davidson, Marek Anestik; Triple Jump - Marek Anestik; Jumps Champion - Fraser Davidson, Marek Anestik; 90 metres - Fraser Davidson; 200 metres - Fraser Davidson; 400 metres - Fraser Davidson; 800 metres - Fraser Davidson; 1600 metres - Frankie Barton; Running Champion - Fraser Davidson; Overall Champion - Fraser Davidson; Most Promising Light Athlete - William Tubby.
Highland Dancing:
11 and Under:
Sword Dance - Airlie McIntyre; Flora McDonald - K Hutcheon; Highland Fling - Jenna Mitchell; Overall - Airlie McIntyre.
12-15 Years:
Highland Reel - Robin Watt; Shean Truibhs - Rachel Walker; Highland Fling - Natalie Moir; Overall - Robin Watt.
Adults:
Highland Fling - Duncan Slessor; Hornpipe - Laura Smith; Irish Jig - Laura Smith; Reel of Tulloch - Duncan Slessor; Overall - Duncan Slessor.
1-Mile Fun Run:
Boys - 1, Craig Brown; 2, Daniel Setterington; 3, Joseph Talbot. Girls - 1, Nicola Ewing; 2, Sophie Stewart; 3, Megan Davidson
Meldrum 5 Miler:
Fastest Male - Frankie Barton; Fastest Female - Mella Slattery. Men's: Under 17 - David Setterington; Veteran - Paul Mills; Super Veteran - Frankie Barton. Women's: Veteran - Valerie Wilson; Super Veteran - Elaine Heggie.
Baby Show:
Under 6 Months - Emily Mathers; 6-12 Months - Bethany Robb; 1-2 Years - Ellie Robb.
European Tug O'War Campionship:
1, Elgin; 2, Cornhill; 3, Cawdor; 4, Strathardle.
Football:
Men's - Return of the Showboat; 14 and Under - Michael Jackson's Boys Club; 11 and Under - Colony Park.
