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Ullapool's Russian link celebrated in exhibition


By SPP Reporter

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Ullapool Museum curator Helen Avenell with former Easter German fisherman Frank Hempel who was the guest of honour at the exhibition launch. Pictures: Noel Hawkins
Ullapool Museum curator Helen Avenell with former Easter German fisherman Frank Hempel who was the guest of honour at the exhibition launch. Pictures: Noel Hawkins

PHOTOGRAPHS from a controversial football match when Ross-shire took on Russia are forming part of a unique exhibition at a local museum.

The game was played in Ullapool in 1984 between crew from the visiting USSR factory ships and local men.

The Russians, who were there to process mackerel aboard their ships, enjoyed good relations with people in Ullapool, many returning year after year and friendships were struck.

But the Cold War between East and West was ongoing at the time and the friendly football match raised political eyebrows, making national and international TV news.

Now the photographs have gone on public display for the first time, along with other memorabilia from Ullapool’s "klondyke" fishing years, after a chance encounter on an Ullapool wildlife cruise boat.

The friendly kick-about between Ullapool and Russian men made international news during the Cold War years.
The friendly kick-about between Ullapool and Russian men made international news during the Cold War years.

Tourist Frank Hempel from Naumburg in Germany got talking with crew member Noel Hawkins aboard the Summer Queen. It transpired both had worked with the Klondyke fishing fleet – dozens of Eastern Bloc factory ships that used to anchor off Ullapool to process the mackerel from the 1970s to early 90s.

Frank had sailed on these boats having left school to become a seaman and net maker aboard what were in those days East German vessels. Summer Queen crewman Noel Hawkins had worked as a ferryman taking stores and personnel to and from shore.

This encounter led to an exchange of old photographs and interest in the pictures inspired Ullapool Museum to speak with Frank who was invited to return to the village and record his memories with museum staff. Not only did he share memories and stories but he also brought some souvenirs from his time as a seaman including an original ship flag and his original seaman’s logbook recording his very first visit to Scotland, as a 17-year-old in 1981.

Dozens of klondyker ships were a common sight in Loch Broom during the 1980s.
Dozens of klondyker ships were a common sight in Loch Broom during the 1980s.

Now the boss of a fashion business in Germany, Frank, wife Beate and daughter Lena visit Scotland every year – but by land these days. They travelled over specially for the opening of the exhibition and to contribute to the celebration.

Ullapool Museum curator Helen Avenell was keen to put together the exhibition to remember and celebrate what was a remarkable piece of local history.

Said Helen: "As word spread that we were planning an exhibition about the klondykers, many people in the village that had worked with the ships and businesses supplying stores, personnel and ferrying came forward to share their recollections as well as pictures and memorabilia.

"A local man, Charlie Allen, had compiled a huge collection of photographs through the time that he worked on board ferries serving the fleet. Sadly Charlie passed away last year but his family allowed us to borrow and scan his collection which provided us with many of the images on display.

Local residents enjoy recalling the 'klondyke' days at the exhibition launch.
Local residents enjoy recalling the 'klondyke' days at the exhibition launch.

"Having Frank contribute his recollections from the perspective of the boats has really made the exhibition special and we hope more people will still come forward with their memories and memorabilia as the exhibition goes on."

One surprising item that came forward was an original bottle of Russian vodka that was brought ashore in the early 1980s – still sealed!

* Ullapool and the Klondykers is set to run at Ullapool Museum throughout the summer.


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