The greatest Leithers ever get their day in the sunshine

Published on Thursday 22 January 2009 09:17

HIBS legend Pat Stanton and millionaire entrepreneur Sir Tom Farmer are among those to have been crowned the greatest "Pillars of Leith".

Hundreds of votes were cast for both men, who were presented with their medals at a ceremony last night at South Leith Parish Church along with ten other winners.

They were joined by a host of other famous personalities whom residents across the area nominated and voted for as having made a significant contribution to Leith through their work.

Stanton – who also captained Scotland three times – said: "You get some nice things in football, but I think this tops them all. This is very special to me."

The church began its quest to find Pillars of Leith back in September, when preparations began for its 400th anniversary – marked this year by a host of events.

Leithers were asked to nominate figures from six categories – arts and culture, business, sport, church, politics and community – with three nominees making the final of each and two then being given gold commemorative "tokens of appreciation".

The figures were selected from the last 100 years of Leith's history.

Minister Rev Ian Gilmour said: "The 20th century was not easy for the port, but Leithers remained loyal and proud. They did not run from Leith when times got tough. Leithers have worked to develop this community in hard times and easy times."

Sir Tom Farmer, best known for founding Kwik Fit in 1971 and now head of the Farmer Foundation, which supports communities across the UK and abroad, won a gold award.

He said: "In my life the success I have had would never have been achieved without the support of so many people. It's a rather unfair world where someone like me gets recognition when there are thousands of people who will not get it. I often get credit when other people have actually done the work."

Sir Tom was joined by fellow gold business winner Robin Salvesen – a member of the family behind the 130-year-long Leith based Christian Salvesen firm – who emotionally accepted his medal, admitting it was more for the people of Leith he had been fortunate enough to work with over the years.

Winning the arts and culture category were The Proclaimers and the late Sir Eduardo Paolozzi, whose sister accepted his award on his behalf. The singing duo sent their apologies as they are away from Edinburgh recording their new album.

Runners up in the Pillars of Leith awards were Hibs footballer Lawrie Reilly; novelist Irvine Welsh; former Leith Academy headteacher Douglas Mackay; MP Mark Lazarowicz; former Hibs director Gregor Cowan and chef Martin Wishart.

Silver medals were also awarded last night to residents across Leith – its scores of "unsung heroes" – including Evening News columnist John Gibson.

PILLARS OF LEITH

Arts and Culture: The Proclaimers, Sir Eduardo Paolozzi CBE

Sport: Pat Stanton, Sir Peter Heatly CBE

Community: Mary Moriarty, Willie Merrilees OBE

Politics: John Crichton OBE, Malcolm Chisholm MP

Church: Dr James Marshall, Rev Elizabeth Wardlaw

Business: Robin Salvesen, Sir Tom Farmer