Betty Wright founder member of the club leaves Port Bannatyne for Beauly

Betty Wright

In August 2011 Betty left Port Bannatyne for Beauly in Inverness-shire.  Betty’s friends, the members of Port Bannatyne Petanque Club, see this as a wonderful opportunity to recall the projects and show appreciation for the successes Betty accomplished during 10 happy years in the Port.

PETANQUE PISTE

In 2005 Betty and her close friend Elaine Jukes asked the Council if they could have a small part of the public park to build a Petanque Piste in Port Bannatyne - they agreed.  It was established that the cost of the build would be £12,500.  Betty, a tenant of Fyne Homes, asked if they would be prepared to help with the cost and/or the build – they agreed.  The “Dynamic Duo” engaged in some research on the Scottish Petanque Website for information about how to build, how to play, rules, regulations and insurance and a group was asked to form a committee to run the club – they agreed.  

In February 2008 the Piste was ready, boules, rings, measures and magnets were purchased and the first match was played.

GOOD NATURED GARDEN 

Betty’s impact on The Port was not restricted to increasing opportunities for sporting activities.  Elaine and Betty also have a keen interest in gardening and the development of the Good Natured Garden included the children of the area planting bulbs and many others donating goods and time. A derelict piece of land was turned into a flower filled garden which encourages wildlife.

 MEMORIAL GARDEN

In the next project Betty and Elaine combined their love of gardening with an interest in the history of the area, instigated by a visit to a small display at St Ninian’s Church about the x-craft submarines which were based in Port Bannatyne and active during World War II.  After considerable research and making many personal and emotional contacts with the families and crews of the x-craft, Betty and Elaine developed the Memorial Garden.  Again, many local people agreed to help (it seems it was hard to say no) the ground work done, with the garden completed in a year.  The opening of the Memorial Garden is one of their proudest moments as was the presentation, to Betty and Elaine, of the Naval - Submariners insignia lapel badge of the double dolphins in the form of a beautiful gold brooch.

The actor Alan Alda said “The best things said come last”. 

Betty – your friends at the Port Bannatyne Petanque  Club will continue to play for the Memorial Garden Cup each year.  We say heartfelt thanks and wish you well knowing that our loss is Beauly’s gain.