Thurso pupil Katie wins Arthur Yates Memorial Shield
Every year the local Labour Party makes an award to a pupil of Thurso High School in honour of a past member, Dounreay scientist and trades unionist Arthur Yates.
Arthur worked tirelessly for the party and always said he didn’t want a memorial bench. Hence the Arthur Yates Memorial Shield, for the best student in modern studies.
The award has been made since 2004 and this year’s winner, nominated by depute rector Craig Omand, is Katie Chambers.
Arthur was an atomic scientist involved in the exploitation of the characteristic radiations from nuclear materials. One of the "Atomics" brought into Caithness to work at Dounreay, he had the advantage of being almost local – coming as he did from Orkney.
He was a contented family man with a wife and three children. He was also a dedicated political animal, both in his work for his trade union and for the Labour Party. In each of these fields he held major posts organising and directing the efforts of the organisations.
During more than 30 years' involvement with Labour he held senior posts in both his branch and the Caithness and Sutherland constituency. He was twice election agent, and was sent as constituency Labour Party (CLP) delegate to Labour Party and STUC conferences.
He was the driving force behind the trades council in Thurso for many years.
Following the SDP defection of the serving Labour MP, Arthur worked as CLP secretary for the remainder of his life. This work, both locally and nationally, was carried on with the support of his family.
For 20 years as constituency secretary be kept the CLP on track and was recognised by all as a stalwart for the party.
Arthur died in 2003 and local Labour members wanted to commemorate his life, so the idea of an award for educational achievement in a politics-related subject was born.
The shield is presented annually to the Thurso High School pupil whose performance in modem studies shows a full understanding of the subject. The trophy and the Amazon voucher prize have been donated by local Labour Party members.
Some of the past winners have gone on to become teachers, lawyers and vets.
Arthur Yates Memorial Shield winners: 2004 Andrew Douglas; 2005 Laura Taylor; 2006 Clare Mackie; 2007 Heather Morris; 2008 Debbie Ginniver; 2009 Matthew Clyne; 2010 Louise Usher; 2011 Aileen Banks and Sophia Nestor; 2012 Paul Ferrier; 2013 Michael Stone; 2014 Megan Mackay; 2015 Meegan Anderson; 2016 Marc Deighan; 2017 Declan Gunn; 2018 Chloe Trueman; 2019 Niall Sinclair; 2020 Fara Donald; 2021 Katie Chambers.