New Courier columnist Sarah Beattie-Smith from Dunbar describes herself as a "Green activist, artist and analyst" who spends her days fighting climate change and inequality. "I’ll be writing a fortnightly column on life in East Lothian through green-tinted glasses," she said.

IN HIS last column for the Courier before heading off to Geneva, the Rev Laurence Twaddle spoke of his love for Dunbar and East Lothian after nearly 39 years. A true pillar of the community, it was clear how much this place and its people meant to him and in turn, how much he was loved.

Taking on this column and following in his footsteps is certainly a daunting task but, luckily for me, Laurence’s words provide plenty of inspiration. Indeed, his calls for empathy, love, understanding and community spirit are much-needed inspiration for us all in these troubling times.

Last week, I tried to avoid watching the inauguration of America’s 45th president, but found that it was all but inescapable in conversation and online.

Trump, with his venomous words, his misogyny, racism, homophobia and propensity to attack those less privileged than himself is the very opposite of everything that our globe-trotting reverend urged us to be.

In times like this, it’s easy to be afraid. To retreat from a rapidly changing and frightening world, overwhelmed with a feeling of helplessness. But it is precisely at times like these that we must advance.

It is more crucial than ever that we come together to resist the hatred that we see around the world. To do that, I think we have to heed the lessons that Laurence has taught us and to work even harder to empathise, to love, to be generous with our time and our energies.

The Women’s March which followed Trump’s inauguration was a hugely encouraging sight. Millions gathered peacefully around the world to show that hatred will not be tolerated. This kind of collective action is vital. But a collective, community spirit here at home is just as important.

Every week this paper is full of stories about local people doing amazing things for their community. Whether it’s collecting warm clothes for East Lothian Aid for Refugees or providing respite at Leuchie House for those who spend their lives caring for others.

These acts of kindness, selflessness and solidarity are the bedrock of our community. Crucially, they are also acts of resistance in a world where selfish individualism is praised.

So let’s learn from Laurence and meet hate with love, right here at home.