Saturday 25^th May saw the inaugural RedsFest event at Mains Park and the reactions have been fantastic from those who attended and participated during a very long and satisfying day. The Club are extremely fortunate to have the backing of Eddie Curran and his GreenFox Energy business as main sponsor of the Club and specifically the main sponsor of RedsFest. This player led event involved tremendous commitment, planning and many cases of exceptional effort to deliver a magical day for our progressive Club and the wider Linlithgow community. I hesitate to single out individuals but I need to heap praise on 2 brothers who stood out as the significant leaders of the event i.e. Fraser and Euan Mochrie.

Also President Jean McKeown, ably supported by son Calum, performed the Event Management role superbly along with the aforementioned Mochrie boys and Clubhouse Director Colin Watson who seemed to take up residence at the Club in the run up to the event. A great thing about the event was the number of volunteers who contributed before and on the day and they are too many to mention by name but you know who you are.

The day started early with the Tiny Reds, Wee Reds micro and mini groups and the Young Reds S1s to U18s swarming over both Upper and Lower Mains Park with great participation and support from their coaches, parents and extended families.

This included the traditional close-of-season P7s vs Coaches match. This was followed by a Walking Touch exhibition where the Forth Valley Fossils and Murrayfield Wanderers joined our very own Vintage Reds to thrill the swelling crowd with a display of rugby that was at times breathtaking (literally for the players). The home squad was aided by the inclusion of 2 young recruits in Gordon Cairns and Ian McLean who both showed why they would be good additions on a regular basis in the near future. Thanks also to the volunteer referees Nick Drainey and Gregor McLean for putting up with the backchat of players who should know better.

The main sevens tournament followed the Walking Touch at 12 noon and was very successful with 8 teams participating in 2 groups of 4 before the knockout stages later in the afternoon. There was some very exciting rugby played and several close matches leading to the semi final line-up of Murrayfield Wanderers v Leith and then Linlithgow v The Misfits. MW were comfortable winners of the first semi and then the home team were just pipped by a single score by a very experienced Misfits team led by club member David Goudie.

The final was another very close affair with MW emerging as the victors by 21 points to 17 after a well contested match. In the consolation Plate event, the Linlithgow President’s 7 overcame Napier University to ensure that at least one trophy remained at Mains Park. Thanks go to all of the participating teams for their support of the tournament and also the team of officials who gave their time and effort so willingly.

President Jean presented the trophies to Murrayfield Wanderers 7 (Cup) and President’s 7 (Shield) and also the Player of the Tournament (Glass Beer tankard) which was awarded to Lachlan Lee of Murrayfield Wanderers.

After the conclusion of the 7s tournament, the main action moved to the Indoor Training Centre which had been transformed into a bar serving craft beers, cider, some specialist spirits and wine. Musical entertainment was also provided by Andy Chung and Martin Livingstone in the marquee indoors and the appreciative crowd were able to sit in the and relax and enjoy the music as they chatted with friends old and new. DJ Andy Raven kept those outside entertained during the 7s tournament. Thanks also to Ken Smith for lending us his PA system for the day, enabling our resident MC Fraser Mochrie to keep everyone outside updated during the tournament.

Overall, the event was blessed with great weather and a sizeable crowd enjoyed the outdoor area in front of the clubhouse as well as the spacious interior of the ITC. The effectiveness of the promotion of RedsFest was very evident from the huge numbers who attended. The attendees were a great mix of regular club members, returning club members and a fair sprinkling from the Linlithgow community and the wider area. Many old friendships were renewed and the stories grew even more far-fetched as strong drink was consumed.

The use of tokens and personal drinking cups was a simple idea well executed and made for a very straightforward method of ensuring that it was a hassle free way to enjoy the day. There always seemed to be plenty of willing helpers many of whom were identifiable by the wearing of the black and red floppy hats (boonies) that were easy to spot. 

The Club is delighted at the number of business and individual sponsors of the beer kegs and many other areas of general support. A high level of support is required as the Club is determined to grow player participation at all ages and levels and there are many opportunities for interested parties to engage with the Club now and in the future.

Overall there seemed to be a huge level of contentment in the crowd and behaviour on the day was very good, a sure sign that what was being provided was great value and enjoyable and everyone should be very proud of their contribution no matter how large or small.

On a personal note, I observed some lovely moments that I would like to share with you. Firstly, Colin Devlin’s commitment level to getting people photographed with his RedsFest Board. He got me about 9.45 in the morning and was still at it at 8pm when I retired for the day. Secondly the tireless and unobtrusive Club Photographer Graham Black who was snapping away across the whole day and will undoubtedly have captured some great if potentially embarrassing moments.

Thirdly I observed that we had a Stag Do taking place with Tom Townend and friends enjoying his outing laced with copious amounts of drink. Wishing Tom all the best for the wedding later this year. Fourthly, I witnessed enjoyment at both ends of the age scale with Past President Harry Lynch finding the time and energy to attend on crutches after very recent knee surgery and baby James Hamilton smiling his way through the day. James’s dad Jordan was a groomsman at Captain Jack’s recent marriage to Nicole and baby James was a star that day as well. A sure sign that the event was enjoyable to all ages and stages and that the Club will have succeeded in widening its appeal both within the membership and in the wider community.

My last observation and my personal favourite moment was Euan Mochrie (yes him again) playing for the Club 7 and after dummying his way to a try under the posts, he could not resist running up to the fence and planting a big kiss on to dad Jim’s head. A proud and most enjoyable moment for both I am sure.

It would not be a Scoop Report without some suggestions for improvement but I find it hard to identify any. Undoubtedly there will be a review of the event and some changes will be made but an excellent 1^st attempt and I look forward to RedsFest 2, the sequel in 2025.

Just a final nod to the volunteers who took part before the day and on the day. President Jean’s stated aim was to bring the Club together and encourage the growing of a volunteer base as its core method. Self evidently this has been a huge success with the average age of volunteers being lowered significantly which provides a great model and a strong platform for the future. So whether you were on the ever brilliant BBQ team, the excellent bar teams, the helpful token teams, the hard working kitchen team or the clean up team, take a bow. You did us proud.

Roll on 2025.

David Mitchell