The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Sad loss of pavilion
“I was interested to read your column last week about Ewen Mackay discovering his aunt’s photographs of cricket at Forthill in the 1930s, particularly since my late father, KDJ McHoul was a member of Forfarshire CC that won the County Championship in 1932,” emails Ron McHoul.
“He played wicket keeper and was also a noted batsman. He is bottom left on the photograph of the 1932 team (see right).
“My father told me how Forthill used to be packed with spectators for the county cricket matches in these days. The menfolk used to go to the cricket whilst the women and children headed to the beach.
“Later, sometime after winning the Championship, my father went on to play for Perthshire CC and was selected as wicket keeper for The Rest of Scotland on a number of occasions.
“I remember him lamenting the sad loss of the pavilion at Forthill through arson where he had happy memories and as a result he would not go back there again.
“However, on a happier note my father would be proud that a McHoul is returning to play at Forthill when his grandson Adam McHoul will be playing for Stewart Melville Royal High CC against Forfarshire CC on August 26.” beach at Broughty Ferry. It was not just the beach that suffered – trees were blown down all over the country, the roads were blocked and travel to and from work was difficult to say the least.
“It was not like a normal storm, this one went on for weeks and it was ferocious. Very heavy snowstorms were followed by howling winds. We lived on the Esplanade and not for nothing was the area known as The Sandy Hole.
“It is the only time I can remember the Esplanade being closed to traffic due to the amount of sand.
“Prior to the storm we had to use the steps (or jump) to access the beach. After the storm it was possible to walk straight on to the beach.
“What devastated the beach was the force of the sea which was driven by the extremely strong winds. The waves were enormous and they hit the beach with such force that they moved tons of sand from one part of the beach and dumped it back on another part.”