A RESEARCH centre near Tranent has donated £60,000 to the town’s three primary schools to support the development of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) activities. Charles River provides research services for drug discovery globally, with one of its facilities just outside Tranent, between the town and Elphinstone. A spokesperson for Charles River said: “As Covid-19 continues to impact the community, Charles River is committed to supporting local organisations, including one of the groups facing considerable operational challenges: schools. “While schools are one of the many groups facing unique obstacles, the education and wellbeing of students remains the top priority.”
A SCHOOLGIRL who raised money for a charity caring for the homeless has been recognised in Westminster. Sofia Hill collected more than £450 for Edinburgh-based Steps to Hope by selling reindeer food ahead of Christmas. The youngster, aged six and who lives in the Windygoul area of Tranent, then visited St Cuthbert’s Church in Edinburgh with mum Lynsey to hand over the money to the charity. Steps to Hope is a non-profit charity dedicated to caring for the homeless and those suffering with addiction. The Windygoul Primary School pupil’s efforts have now been highlighted by Kenny MacAskill, MP for East Lothian.
KEEPING their local area clean and litter free is the aim of a new group in the Windygoul area of Tranent. During lockdown and because of the restrictions in place, people have been staying closer to home and taking more opportunities to explore their locality,, something recognised by the group’s founder, Alison Brown. When out and about with husband Craig and son Ethan last year, she noticed how one area in particular was covered in litter. She said: “When the kids were out and about more I saw how bad the park behind Windygoul Primary School was and decided that I had to get a bag and tidy it up.