A NEW bench has been given pride of place outside a community centre in Musselburgh in memory of a former local councillor who was described as “one of a kind”.

Stephen and Lynn Hastie, who live in the Wimpey area, raised more than £1,000 via a Facebook appeal to site the seat in tribute to Charles ‘Chic’ Moohan at Musselburgh East Community Learning Centre (MECA) on Haddington Road.

The couple, former pupils of Pinkie and Musselburgh Grammar Schools, enjoyed, as children, attending the playschemes started by Mr Moohan at Pinkie school during the summer holidays and never forgot his kindness.

Mr Hastie said: “We were entertained for hours with activities like rounders, football and discos with Davie Martin DJing. Chic even arranged for pack lunches for us so we could spend the whole day there.

“The highlight of attending the playscheme was the day trips. Without Chic most of us wouldn’t have ventured out of Musselburgh. He took us places like the zoo, Burntisland, Yellowcraig, Commonwealth Pool and ice skating at Murrayfield.”

Mr Moohan, who passed away last year, served the Musselburgh area for about 12 years as a Labour member of the local authority. Over the years, he was involved with a wide range of local groups and activities including Wallyford boxing club, the Royal British Legion, Musselburgh Racecourse, playschemes in Tranent and Musselburgh, and discos at the Drill Hall in Tranent and in Musselburgh.

He ensured children from the Pinkie area got the chance to take part in twin town exchanges to Rosignano in Italy and the French town of Champigny, and played the role of Santa at Pinkie school, handing in gifts for those most in need.

He founded the Pinkie Braes Contact Centre at the Wimpey housing estate in Musselburgh.

It was a meeting place for local groups, offering everything from boxing and knitting to youth clubs.

He was chairman of the umbrella organisation the Pinkie Braes Action Group, which is now Musselburgh East Community Association. Mr Moohan also helped start the First Step Project for families in Musselburgh. He organised for young people, who would not otherwise get away, to go to destinations such as the Lake District and Butlins.

Mr Moohan’s family felt the MECA was a fitting place for the seat as he fought for the facility to be built.

Nikki Moohan, one of his daughters, said she could not thank the couple enough.

She commented: “Dad was so proud of MECA and spent many years before that with the football team at the old hut. He would have been delighted by this and very proud of the amazing, decent, selfless and thoughtful adults – the kids from Pinkie Braes.”

Mr Moohan helped many people over the years and is described as giving young people “hope, community spirit and solidarity”.

Residents said he treated all equally and made all young people realise they were “worthwhile and had a place in society regardless of race, class and upbringing”.

It was also said that “Chic could give Princess Anne a tip for a horse”!

Mr Hastie said: “Every time we went around to vote, I would say to my wife, ‘we’ll get a blether with Chic tonight’ as he proudly welcomed voters and last minute canvassing for the Labour Party.

“His bench is now placed just six metres away from where he stood waiting to greet the voters. As I sat on the bench for the first time, I looked over to where he would have been standing and it made me smile.”

The couple decided to install the seat as, due to Covid-19 restrictions, they had not been able to attend Mr Moohan’s funeral to pay their last respects and wanted to do something in his honour.

“Along with the donations, people were also quick to leave their words of respect and it was clear that Chic had made a mark on so many people’s lives,” said Mr Hastie.

He said: “We live in Wimpeys not far from where the bench is so we’ll be nice and handy to visit it. When we went down to Musselburgh Races we always bumped into Chic. We could talk for hours reminiscing about the good old days. He is sorely missed by many people.”

Councillor Andrew Forrest said: "I welcome the memorial seat for Chic.

"Chic was an active member of the community and was totally committed.

"This memorial seat is a fitting tribute to Chic at a facility that he fought to secure for over 20 years.

"This memorial  will allow many people to 'take a seat' and remember all the good work carried out by Chic for the community."