Last-gasp licence is granted for hero's day

0 - 0 • Published 22 May 2009 15:15 0 Comments

See also:

LICENCE board bosses have come to the rescue after a huge charity event hung in the balance - and they"ve even waived their fee.

Several thousand people are expected at Whitestone Park next Saturday for the inaugural Alec Lucas Memorial Football Tournament.

A total of 16 teams will play in honour of the 24-year-old Commando who was killed in action last November.

But a planned evening ceremony to follow at the Ex-Servicemen"s Club, where around 350 guests were to be invited, had to be cancelled at the last minute because of membership problems.

The tournament"s organising committee had to make a plea for help.

And this week they were given the good news that a special drinks licence will be issued for a revised function at the Drill Hall.

Carol Drummond, mother of Alec"s fiancee Jill, is part of the tournament"s organising committee.

She told the Peeblesshire News: 'We weren"t sure what was going to happen so it was a relief when we found out that we are getting a licence.

'There will be over 300 people at the evening event with many of Alec"s colleagues from the Marines coming along.

'The whole day should be a real celebration and there will plenty for everyone to do.'

Alec"s long-time friend Chris Cassidy from the Crown Hotel has been granted the drinks licence for both an afternoon beer tent and the evening reception.

Alec was a passionate footballer who pulled on the shirt of most local teams including Peebles and Vale of Leithen.

And the dad-of-one also helped his 45 Commando team win last season"s Navy Cup.

Funds from next Saturday"s tournament and evening reception will go towards developing youth football around Tweeddale as well as the Royal Marines Benevolent Fund.

Adrian Lucas, father of Alec, is pleased the problems have been resolved.

He told us: 'The whole idea of next Saturday is to remember Alec and raise money for causes that were close to his heart.

'It is fitting that Chris will be running the beer tent and evening event as he and Alec were really good friends for 10 years.'

As well as the 16-team tournament at Whitestone Park, there will be children"s entertainment and a bouncy castle, a tombola and raffle, barbecue, a Fire Brigade display, and a penalty shoot-out competition.

This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 22 May 09

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.

Peeblesshire News Poll

Are you in favour of wind farms?

This Poll is now closed.

Yes (70.0%)

No (30.0%)

Follow @peeblesnews