News

Capturing over 40 years of memories and creating new Sporting Memories Clubs

Sporting Memories Foundation Scotland is announcing an exciting series of projects that will capture the history of the International Island Games as well as create a long-term legacy on the Orkney Islands, thanks to support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Sporting Memories will be collecting and curating memories from across five decades of International Island Games history and launching two new Clubs on Orkney Islands in Kirkwall and Stromness.

Ahead of the Games, Sporting Memories are inviting those with any connections to the International Island Games from the past 40 years of competition, to share their memories to create a treasure trove of stories as a legacy of the 20^th International Island Games. All memories will be shared online to form an important archive for the history of the Games.

As well as collecting short stories, Sporting Memories is also looking to recruit and train volunteers to conduct longer interviews to capture more in-depth oral histories, with further information on how to volunteer being found here.

Alongside the memories project, two new Sporting Memories Clubs will be launched on the Islands with support from Orkney Islands Council and Volunteer Orkney Scotland that will open prior to the games in the summer, with sessions being hosted in Kirkwall and Stromness. The Clubs bring together older sports fans to take part in a fun mix of sports reminiscence, social and inclusive physical games and activities.

The Kirkwall Sporting Memories Club will open on 23 April at The Pickaquoy Centre with details of the Stromness Club to be announced in the coming weeks. For further information on the Clubs, please email contact@sportingmemories.uk

Chris Wilkins, CEO and Co-Founder of Sporting Memories, said: “We are delighted that Sporting Memories is supporting the International Island Games on the Orkney Islands later this year as it celebrates reaching the landmark of 40 years since the first Games were held, thanks to support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

“Throughout the coming months with Heritage Fund support and thanks to National Lottery players, we hope to capture the cherished memories of those who have been involved with the games throughout its 40-year history, whether it be as a competitor, spectator, or a volunteer – we want to capture the rich history of the competition to share across the generations.”

“We will also be launching two new Clubs in the run-up to the Island Games ensuring that we create a long-term legacy that will provide older people a place to meet regularly, build friendships and become more active that will ultimately benefit their mental and physical wellbeing.”

About the National Lottery Heritage Fund 

The National Lottery Heritage Fund is the largest funder for the UK’s heritage. Using money raised by National Lottery players they support projects that connect people and communities to heritage. Their vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. From historic buildings, our industrial legacy and the natural environment, to collections, traditions, stories and more.

Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. They believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past. For further information visit https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/