Peeblesshire News | Sport | Donald just misses out on top award

Saturday, 10th January, 2009

Published: Friday, 14th November, 2008 12:30

Donald just misses out on top award

By Atholl Innes

Comments (0)

Print Article

PEEBLES veteran Donald Swanston missed out on a national award this week in London.

Donald had gone forward as the Scottish winner of the Nationwide Community and Heritage Awards to the national final at the Tower of London.

Donald was not chosen this week as the UK winner.

However, he had a good time at the event and the tour of the Tower of London in the afternoon “and extremely pleased that he was not beheaded nor hung drawn and quartered as was Sir Simon Fraser,” said son John.

“Vet Graeme Rodger’s research advised us that there had been one from Peeblesshire from the Fraser family who came from Castle Oliver at Tweedsmuir; the family also reputed to have built and owned the original Neidpath Castle.

“Sir Simon Fraser was captured and held in the Tower of London and on the day of execution he was dragged through the streets as a traitor, hanged on a high gibbet as a thief, and his head cut off as a murderer. His head was fixed on the point of a lance, and placed near that of Sir William Wallace on London Bridge. “

Donald told me: “It was terrific experience just to be there. I met so many nice friendly people and it is amazing what others do to help the community.

“I was just proud to be part of it.”

The Peebles rugby volunteer, aged 82, who recently spent a week in hospital after a heart scare, started his rugby playing career at Peebles High School in 1938 and is still active with Peebles RFC to this day – now acting as first XV cameraman.

Recently, he won Scottish Rugby’s Spirit of Rugby Award, the Torch Trust Trophy and was named as the Tweeddale Citizen of the Year.

Comments