Miss Uk Crowned ‘Young Ambassador’ Of Erskine

Miss UK, Katharine Brown was officially crowned as ‘young ambassador’ of Erskine as she visited The Erskine Home, Bishopton and veterans Alex Heron and Joe Parker were delighted to seal the deal with a quick kiss!

Major Jim Panton, Chief Executive of Erskine welcomed Katharine to The Erskine Home where she learned more about the vital services provided by Erskine in order to support veterans of all ages.

Katharine Brown said: “Having been Miss Scotland and currently being Miss UK, the title of ‘young ambassador’ for Erskine is one crown I will truly cherish and it is a real honour to be representing the veterans’ charity. “Having met the veterans and many of the dedicated care and volunteering staff at Erskine, I’m really looking forward to getting involved with the charity and helping to support and promote the fantastic work that is carried out.”

Major Jim Panton said: “Katharine recently hosted one of our large fundraising events and it was apparent that she would be an ideal ‘young ambassador’ for our charity. “I was very impressed with Katharine’s energy and enthusiasm and was delighted when she accepted our invitation. The veterans were thrilled to meet Katharine today and they are very grateful for her support.”

Veterans Alex Heron and Joe Parker meet Miss UK, Katharine Brown and seal the deal with a quick kiss.

Euan Flies The Flag For Erskine In United Arab Emirates

A young Erskine supporter is pledging his support to the veterans’ charity after it helped him to find out more about the Second World War.

Euan McLaren, aged 11, wrote a special letter from Dubai to The Erskine Home in Bishopton asking if he could put some questions to the veterans in our care about their involvement in the six-year conflict - and Erskine duly assisted!

The veterans’ charity provided the Primary Seven pupil with pictures and answers to his questions after sending through stories about some of the many ex-Service men and women currently in its care. Euan then collated all the information and put together a comprehensive report on his findings.

At the end of the school term his fellow classmates all got into the swing of the 1940s by hosting their own VE Day party and dressing up in replica uniforms. The school also sent a £50 donation as a token of its appreciation for Erskine and who better to deliver their fundraising efforts than Euan himself.

Last week Euan – originally from Paisley - accompanied by his mum Dawn, older brother Billy, Nanny Barbara and Papa John on a visit to Erskine to pass on their thanks and also presented the school’s donation to Peter Macfarlane, Erskine Fundraiser.

Euan, who is originally from Paisley, said: “I really enjoyed researching my project. My Uncle Archie was a resident in Erskine and as I am from Paisley originally my mum thought of Erskine when we started finding more about WWII. I learned a lot about the veterans here and I really enjoyed reading their stories.”

Peter Macfarlane, Erskine fundraiser, added: “Everyone at Erskine is delighted that Euan was able to learn more about the Second World War for his project - a subject he clearly enjoyed. To also present a donation to Erskine from his school in Dubai is a very kind gesture and veterans are thrilled that they have helped a younger generation to understand such an important period in world history.”

Euan now hopes to continue to support Erskine by fundraising when he returns home to Dubai after his summer holidays.

Euan passes his donation to Pete Macfarlane, Erskine fundraiser.

Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders - Website Launch Party

The veterans’ charity Erskine, proudly hosted the official launch party for the newly formed website of The Argyll & Sutherland Highlander Museum Their Past Your Future on Tuesday 3rd August.

The website is part of the Remembering Scotland at War online museum containing over 200 exhibitions. The exhibitions featuring interviews, photographs and footage span from WWII to more recent conflicts. The culmination of a 3 year, £580,000 pioneering project lead by Museums Galleries Scotland ensures that Scotland’s memories and emotive images of its involvement in worldwide conflicts are never forgotten. The wonderful memories collected by the Argylls can be found by visiting www.rememberingscotlandatwar.org.uk

Attending the event was a host of Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders past and present including Cruachan III, the Regimental Pony, who attended with Pony Major, Corporal William Perrie from Tillicoultrie, Clackmannanshire. Delighted to see Cruachan was Erskine veteran, Alan Hodgart (AS&) aged 64. Alan formerly from Paisley was Pony Major for Cruachan II. Alan said: “ I enjoyed looking after the Regimental pony and even stayed overnight with him in the stables when he was unwell. He used to love his mints and beer”

As the Pipes and Drums of the five Battalions in The Royal Regiment of Scotland still wear their antecedent Regiment’s uniform, Lance Corporal Keith Dalton, 5 SCOTS, piped in guests in full Argyll and Sutherland Highlander piper regalia.

Attending were representatives from both Remembering Scotland and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum who enjoyed the event as well as chatting to Erskine veterans.

Joyce Steel Curator & Manager of The Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders Museum said: “This has been a wonderful project with lots of people helping and the best thing is, it doesn’t stop here! We will continue to collect these wonderful memories!

Major Jim Panton, Erskine Chief Executive, said: "An online museum is a fantastic way to educate our young people on the sacrifices that have been made on their behalf. Erskine is a living, breathing monument to our country’s war heroes and now the Argyll’s have their very own online version available to everyone. "

Erskine veteran Alan Hodgart with Cruachan III, the Regimental Pony, who attended with Pony Major, Corporal William Perrie from Tillicoultrie, Clackmannanshire.

Dan And Jim’ll Fix It For Erskine Glasgow’s Mary

Resident Mary MacKenzie (90) of the Erskine Glasgow Home harboured a long time wish to revisit one of her favourite spots - The Green Welly Stop in Tyndrum.

The popular refreshment and shopping stop for travellers hiking and driving the west coast route.

Mary (90) and her sister Margaret shared many happy memories of stops together at the Green Welly en route to Glasgow from their native Arisaig on the west coast of Scotland.

Daniel Macrae of the Glasgow Highlanders Association was on a visit to the Erskine Glasgow Home when he met Mary and was determined to help make her dream a reality. He contacted driver Jim McGovern of the Community Relations Office at his employer Wylie & Lochhead who was happy to supply his services together with a limousine for the day.

Mary was delighted with her trip and said: “It was a nostalgic trip for us. We’ve made many stops there over the decades. I never imagined it would be possible to make the trip again - and it was all the more special because Margaret was there too. It was lovely just to browse in the shops and have lunch like the good old days.”

Clockwise: Community Relation Officer Jim McGovern and Daniel Macrae of Wylie and Lochhead with resident Mary MacKenzie, her sister Margret and fellow resident Betty McCarthy (L); Mary and her sister Margret head off in style to the Green Welly Stop (T-R); Mary enjoys a laugh in the Green Welly Shop (B-R).

Clevedon Secondary Fly The Erskine Flag At Dress In Purple Day

History pupils from Cleveden Secondary in Glasgow have enjoyed several sessions throughout the academic year interviewing some of Erskine’s WW2 veterans.

The Second World War is now taught as part of the curriculum and Chris MacKay, principal teacher of History, thought it would be an excellent opportunity for the kids to hear first hand experiences from some of the brave ex-Service personnel who fought for their country so long ago, bringing their history lessons to life!

The kids then compiled what they had learned from their interview sessions into reports and presented them to classmates. The Erskine residents enjoyed meeting with the children and having a bit of a blether too.

Those who didn’t make it to Erskine for the interviews were treated to a presentation at the school by 91 year old Erskine volunteer Isobel Kirkwood who was a primary school teacher during the Blitz in London.

Peter Macfarlane, Erskine fundraiser, said: "The children enjoyed ‘living history’ and understanding more about what it must have been like to like through WW2. It was equally rwarding for the residents who love chatting and talking about their experiences. All the children left Erskine chattering about what they had learned."

Cleveden Secondary held a dress in purple day for Erskine and had an Erskine stand at their annual school fete. These raised £200 for Erskine. Big thank you to the school and pupils, hope it will continue next year.