Bowls: Newbattle legend McIntosh to be honoured by plaque

NEWBATTLE Bowling Club legend Alex McIntosh is to be honoured with the unveiling of a marble plaque in his honour this Sunday.

Local sculptor and artist Alan Heriot, who enjoys a national reputation, was commissioned by the club to produce a suitable tribute to McIntosh, who died last year at the age of 72.

He has produced a design which incorporates an image of Alex and his World and Commonwealth Games Medals.

Hewbattle secretary Margaret Gardiner said: "The plaque is to be unveiled by Alex's oldest son John and our club members will be joined by the great and the good from the bowling world."

"Big Tosh", as he was known, was born in 1936 and went to school at Newtongrange Primary School and Newbattle Secondary before becoming an engineer at Lady Victoria Colliery.

He was keen on boxing, billiards and cricket but bowls proved to be his strongest sport.

He made his international debut for Scotland in 1962, aged 26 and went on to earn a total of 54 caps.

McIntosh became one of the greatest names – and skips – in Scottish bowls as part of an amazing 12 consecutive titles won in the home international arena.

He also won pairs gold with Jackie Christie in the 1974 Commonwealth Games at Christchurch then carried the Scotland standard at Edmonton in 1978 and skipped his club mates John Slight, Norrie Pryde and David Pearson to the fours silver at Edinburgh in 1970.

He was one of the " famous five" when with fellow greats Dick Bernard, Harry Reston, Jock McAtee and Rennie Logan, he won team gold for Scotland in the 1972 World Bowls at Worthing.

McIntosh also won his club championship at Newbattle a record 19 times and served the Midlothian BA as team manager.