Oldmeldrum Sports failed to live up to its sunshine sports nickname due to overcast weekend weather. But the crowds still gathered at the 82nd sporting event.
Some spectators came prepared with ringside shelters, and occasional light showers failed to put off a crowd of more than 2,000 including several from Canada and Australia Onlookers were treated to a tightly contested series of light and heavy sports, the dampness having little effect on athletes and tug 0 war teams.
Lunchtime on Saturday brought the traditional tunes of glory march around the arena by the massed pipes and drums.
Local author Stuart MacBride officially opened the event. Mr MacBride congratulated a local group who had carried
the Olympic flame around the north-east. Dennis Emslie, Clare Wllkinson, Amanda Yule and Alison McIntosh wore Olympic outfits and carried their golden torches on a lap of honour around the arena, loudly cheered by onlookers.
Saturday’s sports also added sparkle to the Queen’s diamond jubilee year, with a special exhibition of nostalgic photographs.
Meldrum and Bourtie Heritage Society provided an array of old photos of Meldrum for the display.
Also on show was a photographic archive of past celebrities who have opened the sports from the late Sir Jimmy Savile to screen star Diana Dors. Bob Forsyth, sports secretary from 1983 to 2005, helped organise the showcase. Committee member Mr Forsyth has now been involved with the sports for 50 years.
Notching up an even longer association was 83 year-old Henry Gray. The Leochel Cushnie farmer has been one of the best known judges on the Grampian games circuit since 1975. The former caber champion said: ”I first competed at the Craigievar Castle Games, and came to Oldmeldrum Sports for the first time in 1951 It’s still a great day I look forward to.”

From the Press and Journal

RESULTS
Light Events:
David Clunie (long jump. high jump.
triple jump); Fraser Davidson
(overall).

Qualifying heavy events:
Kyle Randall (light hammer, light
stone, weight for distance, weight
for height and overall) and Grant
Sinclair (caber).
Heavy events:
Craig Sinclair (light hammer, heavy
hammer); Lucas Wenta (light stone,
heavy stone, and overall); Sebastian
Wenta (281b weight for distance);
Lucas Wenta, Dominic Jellinsk,
Sebastian Wenta (56lb weight for
distance, equal).
European tug 0 war championship:
Cornhill.
Children’s one-mile race:
Timothy Groves (boys) and Anya
Crichton (girls):
Meldrum five-miler:
Christopher Winnard (fastest man, senior), David Blane (veteran man),
Christa Besing (fastest woman,
senior), Fiona Smart (veteran
woman) ..
Baby show:
Sadie Hunt (under five months);
Zander Duguid-Adamson (six to 12-
months); Evander McDonald (under
two years); Naimh and Cally
Paterson (twins).
Highland Dancing:
11 years and under
Michelle Gordon (sword dance,
Highland Fling, and overall); Benna
Runcie (Flora McDonald).
12 to lS years
Keeley Shepherd (Highland Reel),
Becky Dempster (Shean Truibhs,
Highland Fling and overall).
Adults
Rebecca Thow (Highland Fling, Irish
Jig), Rachel Walker (Hornpipe, Reel
of Tulloch, and overall).