Tag: tragedy

Community invited to remember baby Craig Millar

Over 23 years since the body of a baby boy was tragically discovered in Niddrie, a memorial dedicated to him will be returned to the community at an unveiling ceremony on Friday (26 April).

Despite an investigation in 2001, and follow ups over the years, attempts to identify the newborn and his parents have been unsuccessful, initiating a huge response from the local community.

He was laid to rest in Mortonhall Cemetery, with residents coming together to hold a funeral for him. Over 400 people were in attendance to remember the baby they named ‘Craig Millar.’

Fundraising also took place to erect a memorial in the place he was found, which was lovingly maintained by the community.

When construction began on the new Castlebrae Community Campus at the site of Craig’s discovery, the memorial had to be removed. It has since been renovated and stored by William Purves Funeral Directors free of charge.

The memorial will be re-installed by the funeral directors on Friday 26 April, before being unveiled to the public at 2pm in its new location.

It follows a survey, conducted by the Council, which found the majority of residents wanted the memorial to be relocated outside of school grounds.

The new location, next to the football pitches at Harewood Road, is easily accessible and just a short distance from the original site.

Plans are also in place for a memorial garden at the original location as part of the landscaping design of Castlebrae Community Campus.

Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, Councillor Jane Meagher, said: “Over two decades on, it’s clear to see that the community still care deeply for baby Craig. This tragedy is such a large part of Craigmillar’s history that it’s fitting the residents are there to see the memorial returned.

“Residents made sure the memorial was never without fresh flowers or messages of love and it was always immaculately maintained. I’m pleased we could respect the wishes of the community and return it to a new location, where it can be easily accessed by people who want to pay their respects.”

Andrew Purves, Director at William Purves Funeral Directors, commented: “As an Edinburgh-based funeral director, we understand that this memorial stone is very dear to this community. 

“The memorial is a special tribute to the little boy who will always have a place in the hearts of the Craigmillar community.

“It has been our honour to take good care of baby Craig’s memorial and are now pleased to be able to install it in its permanent home.”

Broughton pupils memorial unveiled

Today Broughton High will be hosting the formal unveiling of the brand new memorial plaque and sculpture erected in honour of the memory of five High School students – Leif Rohde, Paul Taylor, Billy Feachen, Carol McGowan and Melody Mak – who sadly lost their lives together in a tragic road accident on Queensferry Road on 13 March 1990.

The plaque was designed and commissioned by relatives of those young people. There are 5 daffodils to represent each student, complementing the 5 memorial trees that were planted by the sculpture & plaque after the accident.

The unveiling marks the conclusion of a project that has been years in the planning.

Broughton HS Parent Council

Granton Parish Church to hold Ainslie Park memorial service

Sunday 21st November at 2pm

50 years ago on 21-22nd November a group of students from Ainslie Park High School along with a trainee instructor from Lagganlia sadly lost their lives whilst on an expedition to the Cairngorm mountains.

This tragedy remains the worst peacetime loss of life in a mountaineering accident in the United Kingdom.

Recognising the impact this tragedy had on all involved as well as the wider community of North Edinburgh, Granton Parish Church will be holding a memorial service on Sunday 21st November at 2pm in the church.

The service will be live-streamed for those who cannot physically make it.

Please continue to hold the families of those who lost their lives as well as all those affected in your prayers.

We would appreciate everyone spreading the word, especially if you are in contact or know of families, friends and pupils who were directly affected by the tragedy.

As Covid restrictions for churches have been relaxed there is now no need to limit numbers attending. However, bear in mind that if you would be more comfortable following online then that option is available.

Note that it is still a requirement to wear a face-covering in churches unless an exemption card is held.

If you would like to get in touch with the church in relation to the memorial service please telephone Norman on 0131 551 2159 or email info@granton.org.uk.

https://www.grantonchurch.org.uk/cairngorm-tragedy-memorial-sunday-21st-november/

‘Rangers – The Musical’ set for Festival Fringe

IbroxI suppose it was inevitable. Drama, tragedy,comedy and farce; the trials and tribulations of the once-mighty Rangers FC have been turned into a stage musical.

Successful producer/director partnership Kelvin Grove and George Square will bring their latest production to the Fringe this August.

grado

‘Rangers – The Musical’ boasts an impressive cast. Comedy wrestler Grado – (‘catchphrase: ‘it’s yersel’!’) – (pictured above) will play lead role William ‘Billy’ Boyne and Glenda Govan, his feisty wee love interest, will be played by feisty wee newcomer Easter House. Billy’s mouthy maw will be played, of course, by Elaine C Smith and Billy ‘Big Yin’ Connolly is to play Billy’s wicked (i.e. Celtic-supporting) stepfather.

It’s understood Tim Healy has been cast as Mike Ashley, Christopher Biggins will play Sir Alex Ferguson and Johnny Vegas will play Ally McCoist. Les Dennis is Craig Whyte, Brian Blessed has been cast as King William of Orange and David Tennant will play a senior HMRC official. Jimmy Nail has been pencilled in to play Rangers latest star striker signing and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini plays his glamorous girlfriend. There are roles too for James Cosmo (the ghost of Bill Struth) and Wee Jimmy Krankie, who will play broadcaster Chick Young.

Fun Boy ThreeThe cast of Scottish soap River City are also heavily involved in the all-star production. The Shieldinch team are going to be busy: they play a flute band in the first act, fans on a supporters bus in the second – and during the ‘half-time’ interval they’ll be serving pies and bovril and leading the audience in some fine traditional songs from the bygone days of yore!

It’s a dream come true for actor Billy McElhaney (pictured above, right), who plays Jimmy in the popular soap. “I’ve follow, followed the Teddy Bears since I was a laddie so this production is a real pleasure for me. When I read through the script I thought to myself: hullo, hullo … this is the Billy boy’s! I can’t wait for August – rehearsals are going well and it’s great to be working with Grado (catchphrase: ‘gaun yersel’!) again.”

jim_bowen

Audiences will be delighted to see the return to the stage of popular 1980s game show host Jim Bowen (above), who has an all-too-brief walk-on part as His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.

The Bullseye funster quipped: “I must be the only cast member to have been alive when the original Rangers was formed! I don’t have too many lines to remember – well, just one: ‘you get nothing in his game for two in a bed’. The writers cut my other one ‘you can’t beat a bit of bully’ as they don’t want to offend anyone. So it’s not exactly hard work, but the pay is ridiculously generous – perfect for someone of my advancing years. Actually Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller were saying just the same thing the other day!”

Set in trendy west end bistro Bar Linhe, ‘Rangers – The Musical’ tells the story of young shipyard apprentice Billy Boyne. Young Billy, who is played by comic wrestler Grado (catchphrase ‘**** yersel’!). Billy lives for his football – until Glenda comes along. Inevitably, love blossoms and the happy couple save up to get married – but things are going downhill fast at Ibrox Park. Should young Billy keep saving for that dream home in Bearsden – or invest their life savings in shares to save his beloved Rangers?

Songs from the show include ‘Money, Money, Money’, ‘Don’t Walk Away’, ‘It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue’, ‘Fog on the Tyne’ and that rousing, ever- popular showstopper ‘The ‘Tash My Father Wore’.

derekambias-sandy-easdale-and-barry-leach-have-told-to-stay-away-from-rangersSpeaking from his accountants’ office in the Cayman Islands, Mr Grove (above) said: “The Ibrox story is a tale that simply had to be told, and what better way than through the medium of drama, music and dance? This show has the lot – laughter, tears, great songs, court cases, everything.

“The original plan was to launch the show in London’s West End -we had a couple of prestigious venues lined up, but the bottlers pulled out at the last minute – so we’ve decided to take ‘Rangers’ to Edinburgh. It’s a bit of a gamble, as the snobs, poseurs and luvvies through there are not sure to ‘get’ the Glesca banter – but we’ll perfect it through there before bringing the show back to our dear green place, our spiritual home. And if no one likes us? We don’t care! And yes, of course everyone will get paid …”

Tickets, priced £16.90 (strictly cash only, preferably used notes – no concessions) go on sale soon. Don’t miss it! 

‘It’s criminal, so it is’ – The Hun  Currant Bun

“It’ll huv ye in stitches!” – The Daily Ranger 

‘Mair twists and turns  than a Davie Cooper mazy run’ – The Govan Gazette

‘Disappointing’  – The Catholic Herald