New boardwalk for beach wheelchairs opens at Seton Sands

Local children, Murray and Sophie Scott with the help from their parents, cut the ceremonial ribbon to open the new wheelchair accessible boardwalk at Seton Sands. Local stonemason and artist Gardner Malloy donated a commemorative stone at the entrance to the ramp which names the boardwalk in memory of James Lewis. A child’s beach wheelchair is now available for loan from Haven Holiday Village to access the beach at Seton Sands, which was partly funded by a generous donation from local resident Marlene Love in memory of her nephew James Lewis. The child’s beach wheelchair can be used by both customers of the Haven site and local residents.

A large crowd gathered at the beach and local fundraiser Scott Glynn announced that the Walk Scott Foundation will fund an adult’s beach wheelchair to be based at Seton Sands.

Preston Seton Gosford Area Partnership allocated funding to build the boardwalk which is in walking distance of the holiday park on Links Road. Landscaping is underway and the area now has a wheelchair friendly picnic table, seating and planters.

Beach Wheelchairs has supported the project sharing their knowledge and expertise with Haven staff to manage the bookings at the holiday park. Haven has purchased a secure storage container for the beach wheelchair and has made staff available for training and bookings.

A spokesperson for Haven said “Haven Seton Sands is delighted to support this fantastic project which will provide children with disabilities with an opportunity to experience the wonderful beach here. We look forward to welcoming the local community and Haven guests alike.”

North Berwick Coastal Area Partnership Manager Sandra King addeid: The Preston Seton Gosford Area Partnership is so pleased that a Beach Wheelchair is available at Seton Sands and the newly installed ‘ Boardwalk’ will help people access the beach more easily. This will make a trip to the beach a really positive experience for families both living in and visiting the area. It has been great working with such a vibrant community which has pulled together to make this happen.”

If you want to find out more about hiring or borrowing a beach wheelchair phone 0300 111 2112.  Beach Wheelchairs www.beachwheelchairs.org.uk or find on Facebook.

Young golfers win Scottish Open Pro-Am places

Three secondary school pupils from East Lothian have won places in a Pro-Am team and will be playing alongside some of the biggest names in golf, who are coming to Gullane this summer for the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open.

Lewis Hannah, 18, (Musselburgh Grammar / Musselburgh Golf Club), Jamie Gallagher, 17, (Preston Lodge High School / Longniddry Golf Club) and Jack Noon, 17, (Musselburgh Grammar / Musselburgh Golf Club) have shown their merit over a secondary school competition which has involved playing several rounds of golf across some of East Lothian’s toughest courses.

The final event was hosted by Gullane Golf Club in April. With the event deciding who would win the three places in East Lothian Council’s ASI Scottish Open Pro Am team at Gullane on Wednesday 11 July, there was everything to play for and the competition was tough. There was a wild card place up for grabs for the player with the best scratch score on the day, as well as a place for the winners of the Scratch and Handicap Divisions over the whole five events.

The young players were also treated to a ‘visit’ from the ASI Scottish Open and Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open trophies. Both prestigious tournaments will be played at Gullane this July.

Jack Noon won the Scratch Wild Card Place with a one over par round at Gullane; Lewis Hannah won the overall Scratch Order of Merit and Jamie Gallagher won the overall Handicap Order of Merit.

Councillor John McMillan, East Lothian Council’s spokesperson for Economic Development and Tourism said: “Well done to everyone who took part in this competition. It’s great to see golf being played at such a high standard by our young East Lothian residents. Andcongratulations to Lewis, Jack and Jamie who have won this amazing opportunity to play alongside some of the giants of the golfing world right here in East Lothian. Excitement is building for these two major tournaments at Gullane in July and I’m sure our three winners will be the most excited East Lothian residents! Thanks also to our sports development team for their tireless work in encouraging youngsters to take up the sport. What better place to learn than on Scotland’s Golf Coast?”

Overall winner of the competition, Lewis Hannah, (pictured) who took up golf nine years ago and has reduced his handicap from 28 to three in seven seasons of competitive golf, said: “Winning this place has meant a lot to me. Firstly to be given the chance by the tournament to play in the pro-am is extremely fortunate, secondly to win the Secondary Schools Order of Merit after playing in each season of it since it started in 2012/13 is extremely pleasing.”