A POTENTIALLY life-saving device has been installed in a phonebox in memory of a popular teacher. Derek Smith, who was a teacher at Tranent’s Ross High School for 35 years, died suddenly in September last year. He was 64. Now, the West Saltoun Community Trust has renovated the phonebox – which no longer has a functioning phone – in the village, where he lived, and installed a defibrillator. Derek’s daughter, Catriona Hunter, will be on hand to officially open the phonebox today (Friday) in West Saltoun. Catriona, who had a younger sister Debbie – who sadly passed away more than three years ago aged 27 – and also has a brother, Euan, was “really emotional” when she heard of the idea.
CARE home residents and vulnerable members of the community were given a helping hand to stay in touch with loved ones over the festive period. Haddington and District Community Council stepped in to buy more than a dozen tablet computers after concerns about people feeling isolated over Christmas. Ahead of Christmas, six tablets were handed over to Our Community Kitchen, with a further four delivered to Haddington Care Home and two to Hilton Lodge Nursing Home, on the town’s Court Street. Pat Lemmon, vice-chairwoman of the town’s community council, stressed the importance of making sure people could keep in touch with one another during a challenging festive period.