THE “life and soul” of Haddington’s Aubigny Centre has retired – after an incredible 42 years’ service at the sports centre. 

Malcolm Copland joined East Lothian District Council as a pool attendant in September 1974, just before Haddington’s swimming pool opened its doors for the very first time.

Since then, he has dutifully carried out his responsibilities as a lifeguard, swimming teacher and leisure assistant at the swimming pool, which now forms part of the Aubigny Sports Centre.

Malcolm was just 17 when he started the job and still remembers getting his first pay cheque.

The 60-year-old said: “My mum took one look at it and phoned the manager.

“She said: ‘This can’t be right. He’s earning a man’s wage!’ At 17, she clearly thought I wasn’t a man yet!”

His great work at the centre, on Haddington’s Mill Wynd, was duly noted and he progressed to a supervisory position in 1990, before gaining the title of senior leisure assistant in 1992.

Malcolm’s retirement means he is the last original member of staff to leave the centre.

Over time, he has seen plenty of changes; not only was he on shift for the first day the swimming pool opened, he was on hand to witness the sport centre’s expansion in 1990-91 when a sports hall, dance studio, gym and cafe were built around the swimming pool.

His extensive knowledge and expertise over the years in pool plant and swimming pool operations was also recognised time and again.

He was personally selected by senior management to assist, train and advise staff on daily operational duties ahead of the opening of Dunbar Leisure Pool in 1991 and when North Berwick Sports Centre was extended to include a swimming pool in 1996.

Over the years, Malcolm, of Haddington’s Herdmanflatt, has seen many colleagues come and go; however, everyone will have a particular fond memory of him.

Despite his retirement, Malcolm, who turned 60 last Thursday, said he would not be packing away his shorts just yet and offered to come back and work on a casual, relief basis.

He said: “I’ve not got any grand plans. I’m just going to sit back and take things as they come – maybe a few holidays but I’m in no rush.”

During his farewell gathering last Monday, Bill Axon, general manager of enjoyleisure, which runs sports centres in East Lothian on behalf of East Lothian Council, said: “Malcolm is and always will be the life and soul of Aubigny Sports Centre.

“His length of service is quite simply remarkable.

“We have been so lucky to have had the pleasure of his company for so long and we wish him all the very best in his retirement. To say that he will be missed is an understatement.”