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Nucleus: The Nuclear and Caithness Archives

Viewfirth sports

Wide view of a large grassy area, identified as Viewfirth Green, during a sports day event. Several groups of people are gathered along the far side of the field, forming long lines or clusters near the edge. In the foreground, a row of parked vintage cars lines the street, with a few individuals walking or standing nearby. Behind the green, there are rows of mid-20th-century apartment buildings with multiple windows and chimneys. The sky appears overcast, giving the scene a muted tone.

View of Viewfirth Green on Sports Day. Ref: 0138-00050_AA004195. ©NDA

There has so far been a lot of attention on parties and socialising, indeed a big draw of the Dounreay Clubs. However, we’d hate to give the impression that no sports activity was taking place in between.

Jimmy Simpson, Willie Sloss and David Crowe’s oral history interview with James Gunn (Ref: P778/8) discusses the sports days, alongside the parties and Haggis magazine.

Jimmy Simpson, Willie Sloss and David Crowe discussing sports days, parties, and the Haggis magazine, recorded 13th Mar 2014

The photographs below are from a 1958 sports day which ran as an annual event for some years. The photographs are dated as 8th December, meaning it must have been pretty cold!

Tug of war

A tug-of-war team pulling a thick rope during an outdoor sports day event on a grassy field. The group consists of several men positioned in a line, leaning back with effort as they pull. They are dressed in mid-20th-century clothing, including jackets, sweaters, and trousers. In the background, spectators stand watching, and rows of buildings are visible under an overcast sky.

Viewfirth Green Sports Day, 1958, tug of war. Ref: 0138 00073 AA004200. ©NDA

Tug-of-war competition on a grassy field during a sports day event. Several participants are pulling a thick rope with intense effort, leaning backward for leverage. They are dressed in mid-20th-century clothing, including sweaters and boots. Behind them, a large group of spectators stands closely watching, forming a line across the background. The setting appears outdoors with overcast skies and buildings visible in the distance.

Viewfirth Green Sports Day, 1958, tug of war. Ref: 0138-00060_AA004198. ©NDA

Outdoor tug-of-war competition on a grassy field during a sports day event. A participant in the foreground is crouched low, pulling hard on a thick rope with both hands, leaning back for leverage. Behind, a group of spectators stands in a line watching, including adults and children dressed in mid-20th-century clothing. In the background, houses are visible under an overcast sky.

Viewfirth Green Sports Day, 1958, tug of war. Ref: 0138-00061_AA004778. ©NDA

Outdoor scene of a tug-of-war competition on a grassy field during a sports day event. A man in the foreground is pulling hard on a thick rope, leaning backward with effort. Another participant is visible behind him, also gripping the rope. Spectators, including adults and children, stand nearby watching the contest. The background shows rows of houses and an overcast sky.

Tug of war at Viewfirth Green Sports Day, 1958. Ref: 0138 00063 AA004780. ©NDA

Sports for children

Large group of children lined up on a grassy field at the start of a race during a sports day event. The children are standing shoulder to shoulder, some leaning forward in anticipation. An adult in a suit stands in front of them holding a megaphone, appearing to give instructions or signal the start. Behind the group, a crowd of spectators watches, and several buildings, including houses and a small pavilion, are visible in the background under an overcast sky.

Viewfirth Green Sports Day, 1958. Ref: 0138-00068_AA004808. ©NDA

Group of children and adults gathered closely around a wooden box on the ground during an outdoor event. Several children are leaning forward, peering into the box with curiosity, while others stand nearby observing. The box appears to contain water or an object of interest. One child peering into the box appears is poised to throw a coin into it. People are dressed in mid-20th-century clothing, and the setting is a grassy area under an overcast sky.

Viewfirth Green Sports Day, 1958. Ref: 0138-00076_AA004815. ©NDA

Two children participating in a race involving car tyres on a grassy sports field during a community sports day. One child is crawling forward through a large rubber car tyre, while the other is standing and maneuvering with the ring around the torso. A crowd of spectators stands in the background, watching the event. The setting is outdoors under an overcast sky.

Viewfirth Green Sports Day, 1958. Ref: 0138-00079_AA004818. ©NDA

Children participating in a race involving car tyres on a grassy sports field during a community sports day. Each child is maneuvering through or wearing a large rubber ring while crawling or running along marked lanes. A crowd of spectators stands in the background, watching the event. Houses and buildings are visible in the distance under an overcast sky.

Viewfirth Green Sports Day, 1958. Ref: 0138-00081_AA004820. ©NDA

Large crowd gathered outdoors during a sports day event, with people standing closely together around a table displaying several trophies and awards. A man appears to be addressing the crowd near the table, possibly announcing winners or presenting prizes. In the background, more people are visible across the field, and rows of mid-20th-century buildings can be seen under an overcast sky.

Viewfirth Green Sports Day, 1958. Ref: 0138-00072_AA004812. ©NDA

Child running across a grassy field during a sports day event, emerging from a mat he has just crawled under as part of a race. A large crowd of spectators, including adults and children, stands closely behind the marked area, watching the activity. In the background, small buildings and houses are visible under an overcast sky.

Viewfirth Green Sports Day, 1958. Ref: 0138-00084_AA004823. ©NDA

Children participating in a tug-of-war game on a grassy field during a sports day event. Several children are pulling a thick rope together, leaning backward for strength. A large dog is also gripping the rope with its mouth, appearing to join the game. In the background, more children and adults are visible, along with small houses and buildings under an overcast sky.

Viewfirth Green Sports Day, 1958. Ref: 0138-00099_AA004829. ©NDA

Children participating in a sack race on a grassy sports field during a community sports day event. Several children are inside large sacks, hopping or crawling forward along marked lanes. A crowd of spectators, including adults and children, stands in the background watching. Behind the crowd, there are small buildings and houses, and the sky appears overcast.

Viewfirth Green Sports Day, 1958. Ref: 0138-00106_AA004842. ©NDA

Children participating in a crawling race on a grassy field during a sports day event. Several children are moving forward on hands and knees within marked lanes, while a large crowd of spectators stands in the background watching. The setting appears outdoors on an overcast day, with houses visible in the distance.

Viewfirth Green Sports Day, 1958. Ref: 0138-00107_AA004844. ©NDA

Children taking part in a playful race involving car inner tubes on a grassy field during a sports day event. Some children are wearing the large rubber tyres around their bodies while running, while others are crawling or struggling to move through them. A crowd of spectators stands in the background watching the activity. The setting is outdoors on an overcast day, with houses faintly visible in the distance.

Viewfirth Green Sports Day, 1958. Ref: 0138 00107 AA004843. ©NDA

Sports for adults

An athlete in mid-action climbing over a wooden obstacle during an outdoor sports event on a grassy field. Another athlete stands nearby on a mat, watching. A crowd of spectators lines the left side of the course, while more participants and onlookers are visible in the background near residential buildings.

Viewfirth Green Sports Day, 1958. Ref: 0138-00085_AA004824. ©NDA

Two athletes participating in an obstacle event on a grassy sports field. One athlete is climbing over a wooden wall while another is airborne, leaping over the wall with arms extended. A crowd of spectators stands to the left, watching closely, while a group of participants in athletic attire waits in the background near residential buildings.

Viewfirth Green Sports Day, 1958. Ref: 0138-00086_AA004825. ©NDA

A large group of spectators gathered outdoors, watching a person in mid-action throwing an object during a sports event. The thrower is positioned in the center, leaning back with one arm extended behind, preparing to release the object. People of various ages stand closely together, some holding bags, while others observe intently. The scene takes place on a grassy area under an overcast sky.

Viewfirth Green Sports Day, 1958. Ref: 0138-00087_AA004826. ©NDA

Four athletes crouched in starting positions on a grass track, ready for a race. An official stands behind them with one arm raised, signaling the start. A crowd of spectators, including adults and children, lines the side of the track near residential buildings in the background.

Viewfirth Green Sports Day, 1958. Ref: 0138-00101_AA004837. ©NDA

Two athletes running on a grass track during a race, approaching a finish line held by an official in a suit. Several spectators, including a child, stand nearby on the field. In the background, there are houses and bicycles along a fence under an overcast sky.

Viewfirth Green Sports Day, 1958. Ref: 0138-00102_AA004838. ©NDA

Athlete in mid-action throwing a javelin on a grassy field during a sports day event. The javelin is captured in motion, angled upward against the sky. The thrower is leaning forward with one leg raised for balance, wearing light trousers and a dark sweater. In the background, a group of spectators stands near a stone wall, with houses visible behind them under an overcast sky.

Viewfirth Green Sports Day, 1958. Ref: 0138-00103_AA004839. ©NDA

Two individuals standing outdoors during a sports day event, one holding a megaphone and the other holding sheets of paper, appearing to read or announce information. They are dressed in mid-20th-century clothing, including a white shirt and dark trousers. In the background, other people are gathered on a grassy field, with a building visible under an overcast sky.

Viewfirth Green Sports Day, 1958. Ref: 0138-00110_AA004845. ©NDA

Group of athletes lined up at the starting line on a grassy field during a sports day event. They are wearing athletic clothing, including shorts and light tops, and are bent forward in a ready position. A crowd of spectators stands closely behind them, dressed in mid-20th-century clothing such as suits and coats. The setting is outdoors under an overcast sky.

Viewfirth Green Sports Day, 1958. Ref: 0138-00055_AA004196. ©NDA

Prizegiving

Prize-giving ceremony during a community event, with a large crowd gathered around a table placed against a brick wall. The table holds several trophies and awards, and an adult is handing a prize to a child at the front. People of various ages stand closely packed, watching the presentation, while some hold drinks or snacks. The setting appears outdoors on an overcast day.

Viewfirth Green Sports Day, 1958, Prizegiving. Ref: 0138 00065 AA004199. ©NDA

Large crowd gathered outdoors during a sports day event, with people standing closely together around a table displaying several trophies and awards. A man appears to be addressing the crowd near the table, possibly announcing winners or presenting prizes. In the background, more people are visible across the field, and rows of mid-20th-century buildings can be seen under an overcast sky.

Viewfirth Green Sports Day, 1958. Ref: 0138-00072_AA004812. ©NDA

Prize-giving ceremony during a community event, with a large crowd gathered around a table placed against a brick wall. The table holds several trophies and awards, and an adult is handing a prize to a child at the front. People of various ages stand closely packed, watching the presentation, while some hold drinks or snacks. The setting appears outdoors on an overcast day.

Viewfirth Green Sports Day, 1958, prizegiving. Ref: 0138-00066_AA004806. ©NDA

Spectators

Group of spectators standing behind a rope barrier at an outdoor event on a grassy field. In the foreground, an older individual wearing a flat cap and a long coat is holding a pipe in his mouth and gesturing with one hand. Other people nearby are dressed in mid-20th-century clothing, including sweaters and jackets. In the background, houses and buildings are visible under an overcast sky.

Viewfirth Green Sports Day, 1958. Ref: 0138 00059 AA004777. ©NDA

Group of spectators standing outdoors on a grassy field during a sports day event. Several people are dressed in mid-20th-century clothing, including coats, sweaters, and hats. One person in the center is possibly holding a small object and gesturing or throwing it, while others look toward the activity taking place off-frame. In the background, more individuals and buildings are visible under an overcast sky.

Viewfirth Green Sports Day, 1958. Ref: 0138-00074_AA004813. ©NDA

Group of spectators standing outdoors on a grassy field during a sports day event. People are dressed in mid-20th-century clothing, including long coats, patterned overcoats, and headscarves. One individual carries a satchel with a visible clasp. In the background, more people are gathered, and rooftops of buildings can be seen under an overcast sky.

Viewfirth Green Sports Day, 1958. Ref: 0138-00075_AA004814. ©NDA

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