Orcadian Column, 24 October 2024

I can proudly lay claim to having once been part of a cycling peloton with Sir Chris Hoy. Granted, I was on an e-bike at the back of the pack but these are minor details.

Hearing the awful news this week of Sir Chris’ terminal cancer diagnosis, I was immediately taken back to that April day last year when arguably Scotland’s greatest ever Olympian did the honours by formally opening the refurbished Scapa Flow Museum at Lyness on the island that bears his name.

It’s often said you should never meet your heroes, sporting or otherwise, as invariably you’ll be left feeling disappointed. However, a couple of hours in Sir Chris’ company, walking around the museum then milling about afterwards with island residents and other well-wishers only confirmed the long-held impression that this is a man who is genuinely humble, highly personable and profoundly likeable.

His relaxed manner put everyone at ease, regardless of age or the number of cards, shirts, arms and other items he patiently autographed, and it was the same sense of unflappable calmness that came through so strongly in his public comments about his prognosis. With his wife, Sarra’s recent MS diagnosis, and two young children, it’s hard to imagine what the family must be going through right now. Yet he has stated that he feels “fit, strong and positive… lucky that there is medicine that will fend this off for as long as possible”. In essence, he appears to be approaching the prospect of death in the same calm, positive and reassuring manner that has characterised his approach to life.

Those same characteristics could also reasonably be attributed to Ralph Fotheringhame, whose funeral took place this week. Ralph, of course, would be truly horrified by such a comparison, but reaction to his passing earlier this month bears testimony to a “true gent” who earned widespread popularity and made a real contribution to sport in Orkney.

He was Rovers’ A team manager when I was at KGS and he gave me my debut in the A League as a 17-year old. Despite this shocking lapse in footballing judgment, Ralph was both respected and well-liked, often going out of his way to praise or encourage players from opposing teams.  He also generously opened his home to me when I had to come in from Sanday for games at times when the school hostel was closed.

Ralph remained a regular attendee at games across the county as recently as this summer, and it was always a pleasure to catch up or just exchange a cheery ‘hello’. He will be sorely missed but fondly remembered, and my sincere condolences go to his wife, Lesley and the wider family.

On a more upbeat note, despite parliament being in recess this week, I headed south for an event at St Giles Cathedral on Wednesday marking the bicentenary of Scotland’s fire service. Set up in 1824, the Edinburgh Fire Engine Establishment was the first fire service anywhere and a model subsequently copied all around the world.

There representing the parliament in my Deputy Presiding Officer role, I was joined by the guest of honour, HRH Princess Anne as well as Diana Hamilton-Jones, great, great, great granddaughter of James Braidwood, the first Master of Fire Engines and generally considered to be “the father of the modern fire service”.  In an apparent counter to this claim, I was told during a visit to Stronsay last week that local fire crew member, Harold Stout actually joined the service when it was still just “the Brigade”, a full year before they invented fire!

While Harold was sadly not present at St Giles, there were crew members from all across Scotland, including Mick Harcus and Rev Iain Macdonald from Orkney. Mick has done outstanding work over many years, trying to raise awareness locally about the need to improve drive safety. Iain, meanwhile, has been a stalwart of the retained crew which is critical to community resilience in the isles. His presence at St Giles also balanced the representation between Sanday and Westray.

Firefighters, of course, run towards danger while others are running away. In every sense, they too provide calm reassurance in times of difficulty.