HRH The Princess Royal – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Eric Liddell 100 campaign launched

Inaugural lecture by the University of Edinburgh’s Chair of Sport to rally support from charity peers and Scotland’s business scene

On Tuesday 7^th November 2023, a momentous event took place at the Fingal Hotel in Leith. Esteemed members of society came together to demonstrate their support for The Eric Liddell Community’s ambitious legacy campaign: “The Eric Liddell 100.”

Hosted by The Eric Liddell Community, in the presence of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, this event marked a milestone in the exciting journey to commemorate the centenary of Eric Liddell’s historic triumph at the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris while ensuring his inspirational legacy endures for generations to come.

Supported by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Patron of The Eric Liddell 100, the programme of events and activities will recognise and celebrate the life, sporting, and community service achievements of one of Scotland’s most iconic sporting figures, Eric Liddell.

John MacMillan, CEO of The Eric Liddell Community who is leading this legacy initiative said: “With the 2024 Olympic Games returning to Paris exactly 100 years since Eric Liddell’s amazing success at the 1924 Games, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to commemorate, remember, and celebrate ‘The Flying Scotsman’.

“The Eric Liddell 100 campaign, along with its programme of events and activities will recognise and celebrate Eric – one of Scotland’s and the UK’s most iconic sporting figures – and embed his story for young people today, future generations, and communities across the world.

“’The Eric Liddell 100’ campaign will not only commemorate his historic achievement but also serve as a reminder of his unwavering dedication to his values and his people. We are not only thrilled but deeply honoured to have the support of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal and Professor Dr Grant Jarvie.

“It also wouldn’t be possible without the support of our partners and supporters, many of whom were in the room with us at the event. We cannot thank them enough for their drive to help us secure the legacy of Eric Liddell.”

Reflecting on the event, Professor Dr Grant Jarvie, Chair of Sport and Founding Director of the Academy of Sport at the University of Edinburgh said: “It’s an honour to be asked to deliver the Inaugural Eric Liddell Lecture. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, it will be 100 years since the athlete won gold and bronze and refused to run on a Sunday.

“Yet what Eric Liddell offers us is an example of what is possible. Eric Henry Liddell’s humanity and values are as good a foundation as any for striving to make the world a better place. Eric Liddell – a legacy, an inspiration a legend who chose to make a difference, did referee sports matches on a Sunday, did inspire the building of sports facilities in China and whose life could and should inspire future generations”.

The Eric Liddell 100 campaign will encompass a series of events, educational initiatives, and community outreach programmes throughout 2024 and beyond, to mark the centenary of Eric Liddell’s historic victory at the 1924 Olympic Games.

For more information and to get involved, please visit https://ericliddell.org/the-eric-liddell-100/.

PICTURES: Mike Wilkinson

Princess Royal opens Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage

HRH The Princess Royal has officially opened a museum celebrating the remarkable history of Scotland’s firefighting tradition in Edinburgh.

Her Royal Highness is now one of more than 7,200 visitors who have visited the Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage since it opened its doors to the public in McDonald Road at the end of June.

The Rt. Hon Lord Lieutenant of the City of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge, was one of several dignitaries to greet The Princess Royal. He said: “It was a pleasure to welcome HRH The Princess Royal to the city and the McDonald Road Community Fire and Ambulance Station on behalf of the people of Edinburgh.

“To have the opportunity to learn more about the rich history of firefighting in Scotland was also an extremely interesting and proud experience.

“I would like to thank the team at McDonald Road for accommodating us today and pay tribute to our fantastic firefighters, alongside our other emergency services, who make sure we are all kept safe.”

Ross Haggart, Chief Officer of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) was at the museum to extend a warm welcome to Princess Anne. He said: “We are deeply honoured to have the opportunity to show Her Royal Highness the fascinating exhibits that chart the remarkable history of our firefighting tradition.

“This special building is home to an array of artefacts dating back almost two hundred years, including fire appliances, uniforms and equipment.

“Next year, our service will be marking the bicentenary of the world’s first municipal fire service founded in Edinburgh by James Braidwood.”

As part of the visit, The Princess Royal was also given a tour of McDonald Road Community Fire and Ambulance Station, which has been newly refurbished as an emergency hub building alongside the Scottish Ambulance Service. HRH was greeted by a contingent of firefighters and ambulance crews.

Chair of the Scottish Ambulance Service, Tom Steele, said: “I was delighted to welcome Her Royal Highness to McDonald Road Community Fire and Ambulance Station alongside our colleagues at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

“The museum is a fantastic celebration of the fire service’s history. As well as sharing a number of co-locations with the fire service, including here in Edinburgh, we share a strong history of caring for and improving the lives of the people in Scotland.

“We look forward to many more years of working together to provide life-saving work.”

After watching a demonstration of how firefighters use a high reach appliance, HRH was presented with a posy by Crew Commander Blair Muir, who carefully manoeuvred the vehicle so he could hand deliver the flowers from onboard the appliance.

The Princess Royal spoke with staff and volunteers, including Jim McDonald, a museum volunteer. Mr McDonald said: “It was a truly remarkable and humbling experience to meet Her Royal Highness. Her genuine interest in our exhibits left a lasting impression on all of us.”

At the end of the visit, The Princess Royal officially unveiled commemorative plaques, marking the official opening of the museum.

McDonald Road Community Fire and Ambulance Station has undergone renovations and modernisation and last month won a Commendation in the Large Projects and Regeneration/Strategy Award Categories for the 2023 Edinburgh Architectural Awards.

Further information about the museum can be found on the Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage website.

HRH The Princess Royal re-opens refurbished Lady Haig Poppy Factory

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal called into Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory in Edinburgh yesterday (Thursday 19th January) to officially re-open the campus following a two-year refurbishment.

Her Royal Highness toured the factory and its new exhibition space, and chatted to staff, before visiting Poppyscotland’s mobile museum, Bud.

The factory, founded in 1926, will now re-open to visitors and school groups following the project to showcase its history and heritage. Thirty-three disabled veterans work in the factory on Logie Green Road, making more than three million poppies each year for the Scottish Poppy Appeal, as well as wreaths and other tributes.

Her Royal Highness was met by the Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of the City of Edinburgh, Brigadier Dr John Reid Thomson, who is also chair of the factory, Poppyscotland’s President, Rear Admiral Mark Beverstock, Helen Owen, chair of Poppyscotland, and factory manager, Major Charlie Pelling.

David Adamson, a wreath maker and tour guide, who served for 22 years with the Royal Highland Fusiliers, gave her a tour of the factory, introducing the team.

During her visit, she spent time talking to the veterans about their experiences and the different stages of making poppies and wreaths. She signed a “reflection postcard” which will form part of a wall display in the factory.

She also met Summer Saunders and Kate Miller, both 17, from Ayr, who designed a silk red poppy dress as part of the “Junk Kouture” sustainability project and Sophie Henderson, 14, from Ayrshire, who won Poppyscotland’s 2020 poetry competition with her poem “In Future Fields”, a response to John McRae’s 1915 “In Flanders Fields”.

Her Royal Highness then toured Bud, the 18-tonne truck which transforms into a micro-museum, that has now travelled to every local authority in Scotland. She unveiled a plaque before being presented with a framed copy of both poems by Ms Owen.

Poppyscotland’s Director, Austin Hardie, said: “We were honoured to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to officially re-open our newly refurbished factory and campus today.

“ This is the culmination of two years of hard work to ensure we have a modern facility dedicated to supporting Scotland’s veterans’ community.

“We are very proud of our heritage, and this marks an exciting new chapter in the factory’s 97-year history. We are looking forward to welcoming school groups and the wider public to the factory and exhibition space, telling the story of the poppy to new generations.”

Ms Owen said: “We are very grateful to Her Royal Highness for taking the time to meet the team involved in this exciting project, as well as her continued support for our Armed Forces community.

“The veterans enjoyed showing her how poppies and wreaths are hand-made using traditional methods, and explaining the unique history of the factory.”

Mr Adamson said: “She was very interested in everything, and took the time to speak to as many of the guys as possible. She also noticed the big difference from last time she visited.”

To find out more about Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory or book a tour, go to: