Logging off

By Danny Buttler
BERWICK’S Highland Gathering needs to find a public liability insurer before the popular caber toss event can once again be staged.
The traditional Scottish sport, which involves kilted competitors throwing a large log, was one of several “heavy games” cancelled on Saturday after organisers realised that they were not covered by public liability insurance. Desperate attempts to insure the Akoonah Park event were fruitless, leaving organisers with no choice but to cancel the caber toss, shot-put, weight for distance and weight over bar event.
Highland Gathering convener Simon Hall said there was no shortage of disappointment about the cancellation, but he was confident the problem would be fixed by next year.
“It is our goal and aim to sort it out and have it back next year,” he said.
“I’m confident there’s always a way to solve a problem – we just have to figure out how.”
The bad news came last Wednesday during a routine review of the public liability policy.
The Narre Warren Rotary Club, which organises the event, discovered that the riskier heavy lifting events were not covered by its existing policy and, with no other options available, were forced to cancel the popular sports.
Programs and advertising all promoted the iconic events in the days leading up to the gathering.
“We had a rough couple of days trying to get a another form of public liability insurance and weren’t able to sort it out,” Mr Hall said.
“With heavy games, death is a possibility. An unfortunate series of events could see a competitor or even spectator killed.”
“We can’t jeopardise Rotary funds or our own personal situation … that would have been quite foolish.
“All the Highland gatherings have similar issues because it is a risk involved event.”
Money was not a factor in the failure to secure insurance cover.
Generous supporters of the event offered to put up the money to cover public liability costs, but no insurance company would come to the party at such short notice.
While the 26th annual Highland Gathering still attracted a healthy crowd, Mr Hall said the lack of caber tossers and heavy weightlifters left an inevitable void in the day’s activities. .
“Many people were disappointed and, as a club, we know it adds to the spectacle of the event, so it was disappointing to have that gap on the oval.”
There was still plenty of activities including “fly ball” dog events, traditional Scottish dancing, pipe bands, drumming competitions and a vintage car display.