Christmas Festival Concert

Supporters of Veterans Charity Erskine gathered together on December 11 for the annual Erskine Edinburgh Christmas Festival Service at the Parish of St Cuthbert’s Church, Lothian Road, Edinburgh.

The Cadenza Choir and the St George’s Singers took part in the event which raised £1,400 towards the new 48-bed expansion at the Edinburgh home.

This new facility, which is due for completion in 2009, will provide unrivalled care for ex-Service men and women living in the East of Scotland.

Veterans were amongst more than 240 families and friends of Erskine who took part in the service conducted by Reverend David Denniston.

Erskine Edinburgh Home manager Lynn Suttie led the bible readings for the evening, followed by a rendition of the Tree of Honour poem written by resident Archibald Brown, RS, aged 93. This was read out by Mr Alasdair Hutton OBE, TD.

Colonel Martin Gibson, Chief Executive of Erskine, said: "We were thrilled to welcome so many of our supporters and friends of all ages to our annual carol service at St Cuthbert’s Parish Church, Edinburgh, which was attended by some of our residents.

The £1,400 was raised in support of the appeal to fund the 48-bed extension to the Erskine Edinburgh Home which will be completed next summer."

Cadenza Choir perform beside christmas tree

St.George's Choir view from the balcony

The Erskine Home, Bishopton Welcomes The Royal Marines

Erskine welcomed Marines from the Royal Navy Fleet Protection Group to The Erskine Home, Bishopton, on Wednesday 10th December.

Colonel Richard A W Spencer, OBE, CO, and 12 Royal Marines from Faslane enjoyed an extensive tour of The Erskine Home and its supported facilities. During the visit the Royal Marines met with many veterans including Edward McCafferty, RN, aged 94, from Glasgow.

Colonel Spencer, OBE, CO, took time to chat to the ex-Service man about his role in the World War Two where he served in the Royal Navy manning guns in the North and South Atlantic as well as a time at Pearl Harbour.

Mr McCafferty, a resident at The Erskine Home for over ten years, said: "I really enjoy living in Erskine. We have some great times in the Games Room and it’s good to be able to chat with other ex-Service men and women. They have all become my friends. It was good to talk to the Colonel about the war."

Colonel Spencer, OBE, CO, said: "It was great to see a real life Service man who is so proud of his service."

The Royal Marines ended their time at The Erskine Home by giving a talk to veterans and care staff about life in the Marines and the Royal Navy.

PHOTOGRAPH: Edward McCafferty, RN, with Colonel Richard A W Spencer, OBE, CO, (second from right) and the Royal Marines.

Moderator Visits Erskine

The Veterans Charity Erskine was delighted to welcome the Moderator of the Church of Scotland, the Right Reverend David Lunan and his wife Maggie to The Erskine Home, Bishopton. After an extensive tour of The Erskine Home and its supported workshops he met with veterans Irene Adam, WAAF, aged 87, and Lilly Robertson, RA, aged 86.

Reverend Lunan and his wife Maggie were also joined on the visit by Erskine Chaplain, Reverend Gayle Taylor and enjoyed an opportunity to meet with many of the ex-Service men, women and care staff and take part in board games in The Erskine Home Recreation Room.

Colonel Martin Gibson, Chief Executive of Erskine, said: "The residents were really pleased to meet the Moderator and share their experiences with them. I consider it very important that he took the time to learn about Erskine's charitable work caring for veterans, both young and old."

Pictured is Reverend Lunan with Irene Adam, WAAF (left) and Lilly Robertson, RA.

Top Of The Class

Andrew Pope and David Young, employees at The Erskine Home, Bishopton, undertook two days training with the Wise Group to increase their knowledge and skills in Grounds Maintenance.

As part of the training they achieved the Level 2 award in Health and Safety in the Workplace from the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.

The certificates were presented to them by Stewart Maxwell, MSP and Keith Taylor, Director of Operations.

Pictured are Stewart Maxwell, MSP, Andrew Pope, David Young, Keith Taylor and Anne Blackwell.

Comunities Minister

The Veterans Charity Erskine was delighted to welcome Communities Minister Stewart Maxwell to The Erskine Home in Bishopton. Mr Maxwell, whose portfolio includes responsibility for veterans as well as communities and sport, confirmed Erskine as being one of the successful applicants for a grant from the Scottish Veterans Fund.

Having presented veterans badges to many of the ex-Service men and women of Erskine Mr Maxwell said: "It is a great privilege and honour to be here to present your Veterans badges. The whole of the country owe you and your colleagues a great debt of gratitude".

Of the grants being awarded he said: "The grants will fund several new projects which will allow veterans across Scotland to use the skills, experience and confidence gained through their service careers as well as helping them adjust to civilian life".

Colonel Martin Gibson, Chief Executive of Erskine said: "We welcome the support of the Scottish Veterans Fund in awarding Erskine this grant. This will enable our charity to identify the care requirements of the wounded or injured veterans returning from current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan".

Pictured is Murdo MacLean, RN, aged 81 receiving his veterans badge from Communities Minister Stewart Maxwell: