Watsonian Football Club is proud to announce that it has raised £10,000 to donate to Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC) for the second consecutive year, during its ongoing 150th anniversary celebrations in 2025.
The donation, generated through a series of commemorative events, was raised primarily at the club’s landmark 150th Anniversary Dinner, where players, supporters, alumni, and partners came together in a memorable evening of celebration and generosity.
The donation marks a significant highlight in Watsonians’ year-long programme honouring its 150th milestone year, reinforcing the club’s commitment to strengthening its community impact both on and off the pitch.
Richard Kelly, President of Watsonian FC, said: “As we celebrate 150 years of our club’s history, it has been incredibly important to us that this milestone reflects not only where we have come from, but what we stand for today.
“The generosity shown by our members and supporters at the 150th Dinner was truly incredible. Raising £10,000 for Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity allows us to play a small part in supporting the children and families who rely on the extraordinary care they provide.”
The funds raised will help ECHC continue its vital work supporting seriously ill children and their families during what can often be a frightening and life-changing hospital experience. By providing reassurance, distraction and joy, as well as funding specialist equipment, family support services and wellbeing initiatives, the charity helps to speed up recovery and ensure that no child faces hospital alone.
Kate Dixon, Corporate Partnerships Lead at Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “We are hugely grateful to Watsonian Football Club for choosing to support ECHC during their special 150th anniversary year.
“This generous donation will make a real and lasting difference to the lives of children and families in hospital. The spirit and community shown by everyone involved is truly inspiring, and we are delighted to have been selected by the club as their chosen charity.”
The charitable fundraising forms part of a full calendar of events marking Watsonians’ historic 150th year, culminating in the Gala Dinner on 21 November 2025.
For more information on Watsonian Football Club and the 150th anniversary celebrations, please visit watsoniansrugby.com.
For more information about Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity, please visit: echcharity.org
A highly anticipated public art installation that celebrates the people and activities which make up Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh has been officially unveiled in Musselburgh.
Staff, students, East Lothian residents and members of the QMU community, who each played a part in bringing the artwork to life, were the first to catch a glimpse of the unique sculpture at an official unveiling ceremony on 28 August.
Commissioned to mark the 150th anniversary of Queen Margaret University, the installation takes centre stage in the grounds of the University’s campus. Made possible by donations from the QMU community, it is now a permanent feature available for all to enjoy.
Artist and Musselburgh resident, Martha Ellis, was selected from a pool of applicants to create the final piece – she engaged in extensive research to ensure the QMU community was reflected in her design.
Martha said: “It’s been an exciting challenge to create an artwork that represents the unique character of Queen Margaret University.
“I wanted to capture the people and spirit of QMU – past, present, and future. Through in-depth research, participation in local events, and meaningful engagement with the community, I discovered the many inspiring stories and vibrant personalities that define the University, I’ve woven these together to create a piece that I hope will resonate with viewers, inviting them to see themselves, or someone they know, reflected in its characters.
Seeing the raw and real reactions at the unveiling made me feel like I’ve more than achieved my aim.
“It’s been so rewarding seeing this project come together over the last year. My hope is that it sparks curiosity, conversation, and a sense of belonging for everyone who sees it.”
The vision for a commemorative artwork marking QMU’s 150th anniversary first emerged three years ago.
After careful discussion in the University about the form, location, and process, a public competition was launched, attracting dozens of imaginative submissions – from striking wall murals and sculpted benches, to a recycled-materials shelter and a statue fashioned from oversized kitchen utensils paying tribute to QMU’s roots as a cookery school.
Following a rigorous selection process, a committee including QMU staff and students unanimously chose the design proposed by Martha. Her concept stood out for its ability to capture the spirit of the University’s community – its students, staff, alumni, and partners – who have shaped QMU over the past 150 years.
Martha Ellis is a talented visual artist with a passion for showcasing a ‘sense of place’ in her signature sheet metal ‘laser cut-out’ designs – the style employed for the artwork at QMU. This piece is one of her first public commissions.
Sir Paul Grice, Principal of QMU, said: “One of the things that Queen Margaret University really prides itself on is its sense of community. And it is this strong sense of community and belonging which many people say sets us apart from other universities.
“As we approached our 150th anniversary celebrations, we decided that we wanted to create something on campus – a physical embodiment of the institution that represents what QMU stands for.
“This artwork provides an opportunity to reflect on the rich tapestry of people, stories, and experiences that have shaped QMU over the years. It is a testament to the power of collaboration and to the deep connections we share as a university.
“I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Martha for her extraordinary vision and talent, to everyone who contributed to this project, and to our donors, whose generosity made it possible.
“Together, you’ve helped create a piece of art that will not only celebrate our heritage but will also serve as a lasting symbol of QMU’s commitment to creativity, innovation, and community.”
The official unveiling celebration brought together staff, students, donors and friends of the University for a drinks reception in QMU’s recently refurbished Learning Resource Centre.
Guests also enjoyed a small exhibition of laser-cut drawings that Martha created during her design process and a film documenting the installation’s development, followed by the unveiling itself, outside on campus grounds.
Martha; Professor Richard Butt, Deputy Principal of QMU; Gordon Mackenzie, Head of Strategic Planning and Policy Development and convener of the Public Art Committee; and Professor David Stevenson, Dean of the School of Arts, Social Sciences and Management, were joined by the two Presidents of QMU’s Students’ Union to officially reveal the artwork to excited onlookers, while Ollie Kemp from the Prestonlodge Pipe Band delighted guests with his performance of ‘Scotland The Brave’ to help mark the celebration.
The creation of the public artwork forms part of the QMU150 programme of activities marking the 150th anniversary of the founding of the institution now known as Queen Margaret University.
Hibernian FC is delighted to announce that the East Stand will be renamed as the new Pat Stanton Stand, honouring the legend’s iconic career.
Ahead of the Club’s 150th anniversary, Stanton’s impact on Hibernian FC and Scottish football has been recognised with his name sitting proudly at the top of the old East Stand.
Growing up a Hibs fan and watching from the terraces, Stanton joined his beloved club in 1963 before making his debut shortly after at the tender age of 19 years and 22 days. From that moment on he never looked back.
A calm, composed midfielder, he developed from a talented youngster into one of the best players in the Scottish game going on to win the SFWA Footballer of the Year award in 1969/70.
Establishing himself as a leader on the pitch, Stanton became Hibs captain and helped lead his side to win the Scottish League Cup in December 1972, scoring the opener as Hibs beat Celtic 2-1 at Hampden Park. He also helped lift two Drybrough Cups.
Pat Stanton was known for his ability to read the game, his tackling, and range of passing, and those three qualities were influential as Hibs beat local rivals Hearts 0-7 at Tynecastle in 1973, and recorded memorable victories over Napoli and Sporting Lisbon in Europe.
It was during his time at Hibs where he made his Scotland debut in 1966. He earned 16 caps in total and captained his nation on three occasions.
In 1976, he ended his 13-year spell at his hometown club, and in total made 617 appearances, scoring 78 goals.
After two years at Celtic, over 40,000 people turned out for his testimonial match, celebrating his career. He is regarded as one of Hibernian’s greatest ever players and is widely considered to be one of the finest Scottish players in the history of the game.
After hanging up his boots, Stanton was Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant at Aberdeen before going on to manage Cowdenbeath, Dunfermline, and then his beloved Hibs. He has been involved with the Club in different capacities ever since.
Hibernian FC Chairman Ian Gordon commented: “It’s with great pride and pleasure that we are honouring Pat Stanton’s amazing contribution to Hibernian FC and Scottish football during our anniversary season.
“The Pat Stanton Stand will serve as a lasting tribute to his achievements and legacy, inspiring future players and supporters for many years to come.
“On behalf of everyone associated with Hibs – the fans, the board, the staff, the players, the entire Hibernian Family – I would like to thank Pat for everything he’s done for the Club.”
Her Majesty The Queen, Patron, sends message of thanks to Red Cross volunteers and staff His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, President of the British Red Cross, introduces new online exhibition ‘150 voices’: www.redcross.org.uk/150voices. Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge pens letter to 150 nominated Red Cross staff and volunteers, paying tribute to her own family ties to the Red Cross Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra, Vice-President, telephones one of the charity’s longest-serving volunteers
The British Red Cross is 150 years old today. To mark the anniversary, members of the Royal Family have come together to recognise the work of the volunteers, staff, supporters and partners of the charity who have made a difference to the lives of millions of people who have faced crisis, both in the UK and overseas.
Today the Red Cross is responding to one of the most challenging humanitarian emergencies in modern history, showing the power of kindness as it supports the most vulnerable during the coronavirus pandemic.
Her Majesty the Queen, Patron of the Red Cross for 64 years, has sent a message to volunteers and staff to thank them for their dedicated work supporting some of the most vulnerable people here in the UK and overseas.
As the charity’s longest-serving Patron, The Queen has supported the British Red Cross across the decades; then Princess Elizabeth, one of her earliest visits was to a Red Cross hut caring for tuberculosis patients in 1951. On the 100th anniversary of the charity, Her Majesty hosted a Buckingham Palace Garden Party for Red Cross staff and volunteers.
As the charity’s President since 2003, The Prince of Wales has recorded an introduction to a new online exhibition, ‘150 voices’, as part of the anniversary.
The online exhibition showcases 150 objects from the British Red Cross museum and archives collection, which have been specially selected to highlight the role of the charity as it supported people during some of the darkest moments in the last century and a half.
Inspired by communities across the UK and supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the exhibition includes objects such as a letter from Florence Nightingale, a WWI ambulance drivers’ cap and a food parcel distributed by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent during the Syria crisis.
In the online introduction, The Prince of Wales says: “I am proud to say that my family has played its own part in supporting the work of the British Red Cross throughout its history.
“As President, I have felt it to be of great importance to continue this close association and to help in whatever small way I can to support the extraordinary work of the Red Cross.
“The work of the Red Cross is as essential today as it has ever been, helping those in need both in the United Kingdom and around the world, strengthening our communities and supporting people to face the challenges of an ever-changing and unpredictable world.”
In 2018, His Royal Highness met Red Cross volunteers in the aftermath of the devastating Grenfell Tower fire. At the beginning of this year, The Prince also met with staff and volunteers while visiting the flood hit town of Pontypridd, South Wales following Storm Dennis.
Most recently, HRH thanked Red Cross staff and volunteers through a video message, for their continued work during coronavirus.
As part of the 150th anniversary celebrations, The Duchess of Cambridge has penned a letter to 150 nominated Red Cross staff and volunteers, which will be sent alongside a commemorative coin from the Royal Mint.
The Duchess has a special connection to the charity, with her own great-grandmother and grandmother having volunteered as Red Cross nurses.
As Vice-President of the British Red Cross, Princess Alexandra spoke to a recipient of The Duchess’s letter and one of the charity’s longest serving volunteers, Anne Taylor, 87.
Anne has been volunteering for 80 years, having joined the British Red Cross on the 1st January 1940, when she was just seven years old at the height of WWII. More recently, Anne has helped to run the Red Cross mobility aids service in Truro, Cornwall.
Anne said of her conversation with Princess Alexandra: “It was a real honour to have royalty talking to me on the phone and to be able to share a lovely conversation about some of the things I’ve done over the years with the British Red Cross.
“I couldn’t believe that she mentioned meeting me before. It was a very normal conversation, we spoke about my time as a volunteer and about normal things, such as family and everyday life. A real privilege.”
The Royal Family has a long history of supporting the work of the British Red Cross, dating back to 1870 when Queen Victoria became the first official Patron of the charity.
Mike Adamson, Chief Executive of the British Red Cross said: “We are very grateful to the Royal Family for their committed support to the British Red Cross throughout our long history and today as we mark our 150th anniversary.
“The British Red Cross has been helping people in crisis for 150 years; through two World Wars, working hand in hand with the NHS since its creation in 1948 and today in communities across the UK and overseas during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Throughout our history it is the kindness of our volunteers, as well as the generosity of our supporters that has meant we can be there for people when they need us most, wherever they are and whomever they may be.”
Today is the International Day of Charity, and to mark the occasion Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations’ Council (EVOC) staff, along with an elderly black Labrador called Sally, are to deliver ‘thank you cards’ to voluntary organisations across the cityContinue reading EVOC says thanks to Edinburgh’s voluntary organisations
