Reader pitches in with field history
Ardrishaig park and football pitch officially opened in 1939
ONE OF just two public playing fields in Argyll and Bute named after King George V - the other being in Rothesay - the origins of the pitch in Ardrishaig were the subject of an article in a recent edition of the Advertiser.
In a family photo album, a picture lay of a scene that appeared to show a special occasion - probably at King George V playing fields in Ardrishaig.
The album belonged to the mother of Mary MacDonald and Alma McGuinness and in the December 22 edition the Advertiser asked whether any of its readers might be able to offer a little more information on the picture. As ever, readers of the Argyllshire Advertiser have come up trumps.
Ardrishaig woman Grace Clifford called into the office with a photo of her own, featured right.
She explained a little of the history of the pitch. ‘Ardrishaig’s park and football pitch was opened in 1939 and the gate, with its two inscribed and crested pillars, was added shortly afterwards.
‘The official opening by Sir St Clair Thomson took place in 1939.’
Grace confirmed that her photo was taken at the official opening and the two boys in the photo are Noel Clifford and his younger brother Leon, Grace’s late husband.
The little girl standing between them is Nanette Carr.
Noel and Leon were the sons of the wellknown Ardrishaig dentist Frank Clifford.
Grace continued: ‘As my photo was obviously taken the same day as the one handed in by Mary and Alma two childhood friends of mine - it would confirm that their photo was, in fact, taken at the official opening of the King George V playing field in 1939.’
If anyone would like to comment further, contact the Advertiser by calling in to the Lochgilphead office, email editor@argyllshireadvertiser.co.uk or call 01546 602345.