East Lothian Courier | News | Tribute to six heroes

Saturday, 17th May, 2008

Published: Thursday, 8th May, 2008 08:00

Tribute to six heroes

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THE great and good of Tranent are to be honoured at the town’s first official awards ceremony.

Around 40 of Tranent’s ‘elite’ will attend the first Citizens of Merit awards ceremony on Thursday evening, to recognise the achievements of six town ‘heroes’.

The inaugural event, funded by Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council, takes place at Windygoul Primary School.

All six winners were nominated by the public, community councillors and Tranent police.

World champion bowler Alex Marshall and retired milkman George Bell were both made MBEs in the Queen’s 2006 New Year’s Honours List.

Five times indoor champion Alex, 41, of Winton Way, said he was honoured to be recognised by the Tranent community.

He told the Courier: “To get any award is very pleasing indeed.

“I would like to thank the community council for putting me forward for this.

“I’ve had a lot of success in the past and this is one more thing that can be added to my CV.”

Tranent grandfather and retired milkman George Bell, 62, of Elphinstone Road, received his MBE in recognition of the incredible 34 years he spent working the same milk round in Gullane.

Beloved school secretary Kay Mack, 66, who worked at the former Tranent Primary School – now Sanderson’s Wynd Primary School – for more than 40 years before retiring, is the third MBE winner to be recognised at Thursday’s ceremony.

Tranent born and bred, Kay, of Edinburgh Road, was presented with her MBE in 2004 for services to education in Scotland.

Fiona Waddell, headteacher of Sanderson’s Wynd, praised Kay for her years of dedication to the school that she had attended herself as a child, before returning to work there in 1959.

“She is great fun and devoted her life to the school and the Tranent community,” she said.

“When she was awarded with the MBE it was overwhelming for her and I’m sure she will be overjoyed to hear that she is to receive another award.”

Tranent copper James McLeod nominated local lifesavers Yvonne Borthwick and David Young, whose quick thinking saved heart attack victim John Price, 39, of Northfield, when he collapsed in Ormiston Road, Tranent last November.

And Dr Ian Donaldson, who served at Tranent Health Centre for 30 years before retiring last year due to ill health, will also be honoured at Thursday’s ceremony.

Community council chairman Raymond Strang will present each winner with a framed certificate to mark their various achievements. “It is with great pride that we can now begin to recognise the efforts and achievements of deserving residents within the Tranent and Elphinstone communities,” he said.

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