Scottish Cup Trophy Tour hits the magic 114 target today!
2016 was a memorable year, with so many events of world importance. It was the remarkable twelve months when the impossible became possible. Brexit. Donald Trump becoming President of the USA. And Hibs winning the Scottish Cup!
Since that magical Saturday afternoon on 21 May, the trophy that had eluded Hibs for such a long, long time has gone on a journey – and Hibernian Community Foundation staff have hardly had time to draw breath!
The Scottish Cup, festooned in green and white ribbons, has travelled all over Edinburgh and the Lothians, into Fife and down to the Borders, visiting schools and communities and drawing crowds wherever it has gone. Today sees an end to the cup’s journey with a visit to Towerbank Primary School in Portobello – aptly, the 114th stop-off on the Time for Heroes itinerary tour.
“I was determined to get to the magic number 114, which as ever Hibs fan knows is the number of years we have waited to win the Scottish Cup”, explained Sue McLernon, community engagement officer at Hibernian Community Foundation (and the cup’s constant companion since last May!) “We started off by visiting Hermitage Park school and we’ve been on the go pretty much constantly since then.
“I thought it was really important that the fans got the chance to see the trophy – what is the point in having the Scottish Cup just sitting gathering dust in a trophy cabinet when you can take it out to the supporters? The response we’ve had has been incredible, everywhere we’ve gone. We’re seeing a knock-on effect too at Easter Road with many fans coming back and a lot of new fans coming along now too. The cup win has given everyone a huge lift.”
Sue faced a dilemma when the tour was due to end at Christmas. “We had made 105 visits – and I was really determined that we would reach 114.”
Long-suffering Hibs fans will know the significance of that number – it’s the number of years between Hibs’ Scottish Cup wins. Before last year’s triumph, as Hearts supporters were always only too keen to point out, Hibs last won the Scottish Cup in 1902!
However Sue ‘persevered’ – and the Scottish Cup Trophy Tour continued into the new year.
“Fortunately we were given permission to get back out on the road after the holidays, and on Thursday we reach the magic number when we visit Towerbank. It’s been an incredible experience,” said Sue.
HCF volunteer Eileen McNally has been on the journey all the way. “We have received such a warm welcome wherever we have been that it’s impossible to choose a favourite visit,” she said. “I’m sure we will be pretty emotional when we’ve made that last visit – the cup tour has been such a big part of our lives for the past wee while we won’t know what to do with ourselves!”
The trophy tour stopped off at Pilton Equalities Project yesterday, where Sue and Eileen met PEP manager Helen Wilkins, staff and members of PEP’s Neighbourhood Group, a daycare service for adults with enduring mental health issues and learning disabilities (below).
Today, it’s Towerbank and the end of a magical journey. How long has that journey been? I’d guess around five hundred miles – and maybe even five hundred more …!
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