Tag: pastimes

Draughts championship to be held in celebration of former Scottish World Champion

The achievements of former Kelty miner, Robert Stewart, who held the title of World Draughts Champion, are to be celebrated through a new event, the Scottish Draughts Championship, fittingly held in his home town on the centenary of his first victory.

Robert Stewart reportedly lost only two out of 8,000 games and was otherwise unbeaten at draughts for 21 years, holding the title of World Draughts Champion from 1922 to 1933.

A century on from his first Championship win, this exceptional feat of skill and strategy is to be acknowledged in an annually held tournament to find a new Scottish Coal Draughts Champion as part of the Scottish Coal Carrying Championship.

Commencing in parallel with the 2022 programme, these events together will celebrate the history of the town of Kelty and also aims to increase the profile of the game of draughts in Scotland.

The Robert Stewart Tournament is for adult elite players of the game and will be held between the 25th-27th August 2022 with the final being played on Coal Race Day on Saturday 27th August 2022.

To encourage wider interest in the sport, especially for new participants of all ages and skill level, there will also be an opportunity to take part in an ‘all comers open competition’ which will be run in parallel with the main tournament and will consist of both a Junior Competition and a Senior Competition.

The draughts events will be sponsored and supported by the Scottish Coal Carrying Championships, the Scottish Draughts Association and head sponsor National Pride UK.

Founded in 1995, the annual Scottish Coal Carrying Championships was created by Michael Boyle whose aim was to create an enduring link between the modern-day village and its rich coal mining heritage.

The men’s race requires participants to carry a 50-kilo bag of coal and the ladies’ race requires a 25-kilo bag of coal to be carried over 1000 metres through the village of Kelty. There are races for children too carrying a 15-kilo bag of coal.

National Pride UK was principal sponsor in 2021 and continues its support in 2022, as part of its involvement in community wellbeing. National Pride UK sponsors community events and supports community groups through social value projects to ensure economic resurgence in the town and surrounding area.

National Pride UK, as new owners of the neighbouring St Ninians former opencast mine, have plans to develop an ecologically friendly and environmentally sensitive health, wellness and leisure destination at the site. Design proposals are forming into an initial masterplan details of which will be released as soon as the plan become mature.

The extensive 976-acre St Ninians and Loch Fitty site will promote health and wellness in mind and body accessible and affordable for all. It will also deliver an exciting leisure, entertainment and tourism destination creating significant employment opportunities and supporting local businesses.

Donald Oliphant of the  Scottish Draughts Association commented: “A century on from Robert Stewart claiming the World Draughts Title in 1922, the Scottish Draughts Association is delighted to partner with the Coal Carrying Championship organisers to increase the profile of the game in 2022.

“This will allow the community and the rest of Scotland to see for themselves the high level of skill required to play the game at its highest level. Nearly everyone has played at draughts but very few move to the next level and begin to realise the vast depth of skill and knowledge required to become a master player. This competition gives an opportunity to the people of Fife to see world class draughts on their doorstep.”

Irene Bissett, National Pride UK, said: “We are delighted to be again sponsoring the Scottish Coal Carrying Championship in Kelty, which is such a fantastic community event.

“The Robert Stewart Tournament not only celebrates his incredible achievement, but we are sure it will inspire all generations to participate in a new annual community event and have fun.”

Greyfriars Bobby set to pass go in new Monopoly Edinburgh game

A brand new official version of Edinburgh MONOPOLY is to hit the shops – exactly 20 years on from the first. And for the first time ever in Scotland the playing tokens will be customised to one city.

Amongst the tokens, to be voted by the public, could be a bust of Edinburgh’s most famous son Sir Sean Connery – or, arguably daughter, Elsie Inglis.

“Dedicated” Edinburgh icons that are favourites to ‘Pass GO’ and become tokens in the new game include a panda, comedic mask and miniature castle.  There will be six in all – and the public will get to decide.

Other customised tokens could be a miniature of Sir Chris Hoy, a book, rugby ball or an Auld Reekie chimney mini replica.

And in a clear nod to Edinburgh’s most popular pooch the producers Winning Moves UK say the MONOPOLY Scottie dog – which is the most popular of all the original MONOPOLY tokens – will almost certainly change to the beloved Greyfriars Bobby, a legend that has enthralled millions of visitors over the years.

The original Edinburgh board hits the shops in 1998, which was Edinburgh themed but not completely. The tokens were the MONOPOLY originals. But this time the tokens get the boot – including the MONOPOLY boot, racing car, Scottie dog and top hat.

In 1998 it was the first time that any regional board based on a city or town in the UK, outside of London, was produced. Since then there have been several, including Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee, but none – until now – have customised playing tokens.

Winning Moves UK’s Benjamin Thompson made the announcement by the statue of Greyfriars Bobby yesterday. He said: “We are now a whole generation on from when Edinburgh first historically ‘Passed GO’ – the very first city in the UK to do so.

“Scotland’s capital city has grown and changed enormously, now with its own Parliament and a whole new generation of people.

“The tokens will be customised for the first time in Scotland and will all be dedicated to Edinburgh,” he adds. “The MONOPOLY streets will all be Edinburgh landmarks and also new will be the Chance and Community Chest cards which will be very heavily Edinburgh themed. One could send players back three spaces for getting stuck in traffic on Queensferry Road. Whilst another could reward players with a VIP visit around Edinburgh Castle.”

The public will get to vote for the landmarks, cards and playing tokens.

“It’s a universal love story – and our mission for this game is for it to be a Love Letter to Edinburgh,” adds Mr Thompson. “The perfect fit and we are absolutely sure Bobby WILL feature prominently in this game.”

The public is now invited to send in suggestions and ideas for the game – both serious and fun.

Every single one of the famous MONOPOLY spaces from the London original like Mayfair and Park Lane – 28 in all – will be getting an Edinburgh makeover. And very many of the Chance and Community Chest cards will also be Edinburgh themed too.

Winning Moves’ Bejamin Thompson added: “We are expecting to be very spoilt for choice for landmarks to fill this board. This very special edition will go into production to be ready in time for this Christmas (2018) and will hit shop shelves this October.

“The game will be sold not just in Edinburgh shops but to the world via Amazon and online. It will be a global seller and further showcase Edinburgh to the world.”

Landmarks that could star on the board include (of course!) Edinburgh Castle, The Palace of Holyrood House, Princes Street and The Royal Mile. The MONOPOLY sets of streets will be themed in sets from heritage to tourism, culture to shopping, education to business and sport to media. The four train stations on the original MONOPOLY will be handed over to a ‘travel’ set. That’s because unlike in the original London MONOPOLY there are not going to be four main line train stations to choose from.

Suggestions can be made to edinburgh@winningmoves.co.uk or via the official Edinburgh MONOPOLY Facebook page. Or by traditional post to Edinburgh MONOPOLY, Winning Moves UK, 7 Praed Street, London W2 1NJ. 

Polls close at 23.59pm on 30th April  2018.  

How about a tram? Oh well, just a thought …

Capture Lauriston Castle with the Edinburgh Sketcher

Lauriston Castle

Families will be invited to get sketching this summer with lessons from the Capital’s finest when the Edinburgh Sketcher takes residence at Lauriston Castle.

Mark Kirkham, who regularly entertains readers of his blog with his  drawings of the city, will offer two sketching masterclasses in the beautiful grounds of the 16th century castle situated on the banks of Cramond.

As part of Lauriston Castle’s packed Spring/Summer programme of arts and crafts, lectures, theatre and events, budding artists of all ages and levels will get the chance to learn Mark’s trademark ‘speed sketching’ skills. This quick method of doodling allows artists to capture images almost as quickly as a photograph. Visitors will sketch in and around the Castle grounds, including the tranquil Japanese Gardens and inside the old castle kitchen, using pens and watercolour before working on a final sketch to take home.sketch1Councillor Richard Lewis, Edinburgh’s Culture and Sport Convener, said: “From popular Edinburgh cityscapes to modes of transport, it is difficult to think of an iconic place or object in the city that hasn’t been captured by Mark’s keen eye for detail.

“These classes will be an opportunity to get sketching in one of Edinburgh’s most beautiful settings and get working with a local artist. What a fantastic family day out this summer.”

Originally from Lancashire and the son of a painter father and photographer mother, Mark has called Edinburgh home for the last 15 years. He gives his top three pieces of advice to budding sketchers: “First is get sketching! You can plan and plan but in the end you just need to get out there and do it. Hopefully these workshops at Lauriston Castle will tempt you to do just that.

sketch2

“Tip two is don’t be shy. You can feel very self aware pulling out a pen and pad in a busy street but don’t let that put you off. Once I begin I get into the zone and usually forget people are passing by.

“My third piece of advice is to be prepared. I always carry the bare essentials, but sometimes I have resorted to sketching on napkins and receipts. I promise these classes at Lauriston Castle will be well stocked, all visitors need to do is book their ticket and turn up on the day.”