Orkney Image Library

The player on the far right of the back row is Brian Sommereville

This came up in conversation at work yesterday, what are the origins of Shetland playing in blue and Orkney playing in red when it comes to sports fixtures?
Does anyone know when and why?

The gentleman on the right with the hat on is the late Sandy Aldie, who was the joiners foreman at Alexander Flett the builders, Kirkwall. My ex foreman.

Hello All,

My name is Clare Bird and Jock Mears was my Great-Grandfather. Unfortunately, I never met him as he died before I was born in 1983. I have heard lots of stories over the years mainly from my Nan (Nancy Mears) and also my Father - Ken Bird (Jock's Grandson)

My lovely Nan (Nancy Mears) Also known as Nancy Bird or Agnes Mears sadly passed away last year and upon my Fathers recent trip to Orkney last week I have been inspired to find people who knew wither Jock or my Nan. My Nan and I were very close and although I heard stories from her Orkney life over the years I would be very interested to find out more. Any information would be fantastic. I have been in touch with Eddie Borwick who thinks Eric Kemp could help me more with Jock as he knew him well due to being on the football team!

I have since found out Jock used to work at the Cosmo Ballroom as a "Chucker Oout!" (I never knew the name of the hall previously) My Nan used to adore the dances and spoke of them fondly, I wonder if anyone had pictures or knew either of them from these days?

Thank You.

Clare

I stayed in the YMCA in Aberdeen in 1960 and I remember speaking to an Orkney boy who was passing through on his way home, he had been on trial with a well known football team. If my memory serves me right his name was Eric Hutchison could be a relation of the Ian Hutchison in this team?

Eric is Ian's brother.
Eric played for the senior Orkney team on many occasions including 13 times against Shetland between 1959 and 1973.
You'll see Eric in picture #1564, picture #1571, picture #1579 & picture #2905.

Thank you Bruce for that reply. I was in the YMCA in 1960 and part of 61. Not a bad piece of memory for an old guy like me, 49 years ago i can hardly mind yesterday. I wonder if Eric re-collects staying there and what team he was on trial with.?

I knew Jock when he was a bouncer in the Cosmo

I think we all did. He worked in the gas works. A big man.

Didn't we all along with Bert Grieve.

I remember when Jock worked at the Gas Works you could buy coke for half a crown a bag the bigger the sack you took in the more coke you got.Happy days.

Jock Mears was my grandad.My dad was James Patterson Mears. Jock used to travel once a year to visit all his children and their families. I have found memories of his visits as he always bought me a book and gave me a Scottish pound note 😁

Hi Helen - We are closely related! Jock is my great-grandfather, my Dad’s Grandad. If you don’t mind me asking, who was your Dad’s Mum? I know Jock was married several times, my Nan and her younger brother Henry were born to Jock and Elizabeth Mears. He latterly married Ruby Sandison (whom my Nan adored) and they had several children together.

Hi Clare, my dad's mum was Jock's first wife. They had 3 children. I believe he was married 4 times. I believe Nancy was your grandma, I have a photo of her somewhere, when she was a child. I am going to Kirkwall in June, I would like to visit my grandads grave. Stay in touch, kind regards Helen

Thanks Helen. My Nan was Nancy - We were very close, she was just wonderful and I miss her terribly. I’ve been working on my family tree for many years now; I have a few wives for Pop, Marjory, Margaret, Elizabeth and Ruby. I am assuming your Grandma was either Marjory or Margaret?

I would love to know more about this side of my family as I struggle now that so many have passed away. If you find the photograph of Nan as a young girl, I would love to see it.

I think my grandma was Marjorie. She died when my dad was 3. Sadly my dad was in hospital himself at the time, he had TB on his leg and his mum died of TB. I don't think Jock had any kids with Margaret. I am going to search through all of my photos and post them for you. Is Henry still alive?