Published: Thursday, 22nd May, 2008 08:05
Honouring first Citizen of Merit
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Pictured with their certificates as Tranent Community Council chairman Raymond Strang (rear left) and county MSP Iain Gray look on, are (front row, from l-r) Alex Marshall, George Bell, Ian Donaldson, Kay Mack, Yvonne Borthwick and David Young
THERE was no denying the strength of community feeling at Tranent’s first Citizens of Merit ceremony, held last Thursday evening.
Aside from a last-minute costume change and a slight delay in kick-starting proceedings, the night was a great success, as more than 40 people – including East Lothian MSP Iain Gray – watched as six ‘local heroes’ were honoured at a ceremony at Windygoul Primary School.
Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council chairman Raymond Strang – who dashed off before the official presentations to change his shoes – presented the framed certificates, which display the community council coat-of-arms.
The award winners – nominated by community councillors, local police officers and the public – included three MBE recipients: five-times world indoor bowling champion Alex ‘Tattie’ Marshall, 41; retired milkman George Bell, 62, and retired school secretary Kay Mack, 66, who worked at the former Tranent Primary School for more than 40 years.
Tranent lifesavers, David Young and Yvonne Borthwick, who came to the aid of local man John Price when he collapsed in Ormiston Road last November suffering from a heart attack, were also recognised.
John, 39, and his wife Julie, of Northfield, attended to watch the ‘good samaritans’ receive their awards and to thank Tranent police officers Jim McLeod and Murray Cairns, who also assisted him during the crisis.
Fully recovered from his health scare, John, a father-of-six, told the Courier: “Although I’ve seen Yvonne and David since it happened, this is the first time I’ve been able to meet the police officers and thank them for what they did.
“I wouldn’t be standing here today if it wasn’t for them, and it is a great thing for Yvonne and David to be recognised with these awards.”
Group area police inspector, Colin Brown – also a Tranent resident – presented Yvonne and David with their awards and announced that they and PCs McLeod and Cairns had each been put forward for a Lothian and Borders Police Meritorious Award and Royal Humane Society awards as further recognition of their bravery.
The sixth ‘local hero’ to be honoured was Dr Ian Donaldson, who served as GP at Tranent Health Centre for 30 years before retiring due to ill health last year.
Dr Donaldson, who lives in Pencaitland, paid tribute to his wife Janice for her years of support.
Following the presentations, county MSP Iain Gray declared: “I was delighted to come along and I think it’s a great achievement by Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council.
“Community councils are about making communities stronger and I think recognising some of the tremendous achievements that people in Tranent have done is an example that helps make the community stronger.
“Tranent should be really proud of these people.”
As the ceremony drew to a close, Mr Strang added: “The evening was very well received by both the recipients and guests.
“I’d like to congratulate the award winners for their achievements and also say thanks to our community councillors for their support and hard work towards getting this event up and running.”
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