SPORTS enthusiasts in East Lothian are meeting again in person to share their memories following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions.

The county’s two Sporting Memories Clubs are back in action at Musselburgh Rugby Club and Hallhill Sports Centre in Dunbar, having been suspended at the start of the pandemic in March last year.

The groups give older adults the chance to join and talk about sport, alongside gentle physical activity.

Donna Mackey, sporting partnership manager, said: “To be opening up again so that we can all come together in person is very special, especially after so many extremely difficult months.

“To not be able to see each other at a time when social isolation has been increasing among older adults, and mental wellbeing decreasing, has been particularly hard.

“At Sporting Memories, we have been really successful at staying in touch with our members in many different ways, and couldn’t have done this without our amazing volunteers.

“But meeting up to socialise in-person has been very much missed.

“For many of our members, some living with dementia, depression or loneliness, meeting together for companionship and forming friendships is a lifeline.”

Rob Risien, a Musselburgh Athletic season ticket holder for many years, is a volunteer at the Musselburgh Sporting Memories Club.

He said: “We have spent a long time apart so to be able to meet again in person is a huge boost for us as volunteers but, more importantly, to our members.

“It’s great to sit around the table again, see familiar faces and talk about sport.

“I hope we can provide a friendly, sociable outlet for many more people in the local community.”

Musselburgh Sporting Memories Club meets every Wednesday at the town rugby club, 10.30am-noon.

Dunbar Sporting Memories Club takes place every Thursday at Hallhill Sports Centre, 10.30am-noon. New members are welcome.

To find out more, contact Donna at donna@thesmf.co.uk or on 07340 560306, or visit thesmf.co.uk