An exhibition celebrating Scotland’s relationship with the Commonwealth Games opens at Dumfries Museum on Saturday 31 October. The exhibition will be launched on Friday the 30 October when Commonwealth Games Scotland officials will visit the museum with the Queen’s baton which travelled over 100,000 miles through 70 nations and territories over 288 days before opening the Glasgow Games in 2014.
Local connections with the Commonwealth Games will also be celebrated. Dumfries Museum is keen to hear from any athletes from the area who have taken part in the games, or from the families of these sports men and women, as well as volunteers and baton bearers who took part in the 2014 Games so that they can be invited to the launch event on 30 October. Stirling University Archives would also like to hear from local athletes and their families to record their experiences of the Commonwealth Games. Fiona Wilson at Dumfries Museum can be contacted on 01387 253374, [email protected] and Ian Mackintosh, at Stirling University, can be contacted on 01786 467240 or [email protected] .
Drawn from the Commonwealth Games Scotland Archive held by the University of Stirling, ‘Hosts and Champions: Scotland in the Commonwealth Games’ celebrates over 80 years of participation and achievement by Scotland in the Commonwealth Games, from its origin as the British Empire Games in Hamilton, Canada, in 1930, through to Glasgow 2014.
The exhibition, which is currently touring Scotland, includes photographs, designs, clothing, papers and artefacts which evoke a rich story of Scotland’s involvement in the Games, including as hosts in 1970, 1986 and 2014.
Councillor Tom McAughtrie, who Chairs the Community and Customer Service Committee said:
“I’d like to thank the Scottish Government’s Legacy 2014 team for initiating and supporting the tour, and we hope local communities will enjoy and reminisce on some of Scotland’s great sporting achievements at the Games, as both hosts and champions!”
Michael Cavanagh, former Chair of Commonwealth Games Scotland, said:
“The Commonwealth Games Scotland Archive is a fantastic collection of artefacts which highlight how the Games have grown and Scotland’s involvement from the very beginning. We are delighted these exhibitions will bring the archive to life and allow people to share in what makes the Commonwealth Games so special.”
Representing the Scottish Government, Housing Minister Margaret Burgess said:
“The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games was the biggest sporting and cultural event Scotland had hosted, and Scotland will continue to benefit from the best Games ever. This exhibition gives us a fascinating insight into Scotland’s Commonwealth Games story. It brings together a spectacular array of photographs, artefacts, and interviews with competitors and medallists from across Scotland, spanning more than 80 years of international sporting competition.
However, the Games have not just left us a legacy of medals and memorable moments – their success will continue to be felt across Scotland for years to come, providing an unprecedented catalyst for regeneration, innovation and sustainable growth.”
Hosts and Champions is being displayed across Scotland in 2015 and 2016.
The exhibition will be at Dumfries Museum, 10am – 1pm and 2pm – 5pm Tuesday to Saturday, 31 October until 12 December.
The exhibition, developed with the support of Commonwealth Games Scotland and Legacy 2014, is curated by the University of Stirling Archives.
Main Photo “Smoke gets in your eyes”
An image of Bowls from a bygone era. A Battle of Britain tie from the 1970 Edinburgh Commonwealth games. The participants are Bob Motroni (Scotland) and David Bryant (England). Bryant is wearing the white cap and smoking a pipe (his trademarks). The bowler in front is Bob Motroni of Dumfries, Scotland. Motroni won 21-10.
This was Bryant’s only defeat in the round robin tournament as he went on to retain his gold medal. Motroni was unable to maintain this form and finished outside the medals.
Bob Motroni qualified to represent Scotland by winning a play off. The Scottish Bowls Selectors held a play-off of the Scottish champions from 1966-69. The winners of the Singles, pairs and Fours were selected to represent Scotland in the Edinburgh 1970 Commonwealth Games.
