Day 88
Pillars of Leith
In 2009 South Leith Parish Church ran the first ever Pillars of Leith event as part of its 400th anniversary celebrations. While the church dates back to 1487, the current building was constructed in 1609, and has served the community of Leith throughout its history.
The Pillars of Leith was a community vote to find individuals who Leithers felt had made a significant contribution to Leith through their work. Hundreds of nomination forms were distributed through out the community asking for nominations in six categories - Arts and Culture, Business, Sport, Church, Politics and Community. 3 nominees in each category were shortlisted, and voted on by the community.
Twelve gold medals were awarded to famous personalities, successful business leaders, and charitable patrons, and silver and bronze awards were distributed to nominees in recognition of their service to the community.
The gold medals were awarded to:
Community: William Merrilees (OBE) (Day 64) and Mary Moriarty (Day 3)
Politics: John Crichton OBE and Malcolm Chisholm MSP
Sport: Sir Peter Heatly and Pat Stanton
Arts and Culture: Sir Eduardo Paolozzi (Day 85) and The Proclaimers
Business: Sir Tom Farmer and Robin Salvesen
Church: Dr. James Scott Marshall and Rev Elisabeth Wardlaw (Day 21)
Three gold medals were also presented to 3 (the then current and 2 future) head teachers of Chipembi Girls' Secondary School in Zambia, where South Leith Parish Church had a long-running project to help support the school to become self sufficient in food production. One of those awarded a bronze medal is Alistair Rutherford. He remembers being part of the group who went out to visit when the medals were awarded.
“My part on that trip and another in 2003 was to help set up a computer lab with 12 brand new pcs. Zambia is an amazing place as is that school, the first and for a long time the only school for girls in the country.”
Silver medals were given to nominees from across the community, one of these was Peter Smith.
Born in Loaning Cresent in 1951, Peter attended Leith Academy before going on to study Civil Engineering. He owned and ran several hostelries in and around Leith, beginning with a guest house at 71 Restalrig Road, and latterly the Merith Hotel and Mister Smiths on Burns Street.
In later years he became janitor at St Mary’s Primary where he worked tirelessly for the benefit of the school and it’s students for over 16 years. Peter had a big heart, and would do just about anything for his community, from coaching the school football teams, to building galaday floats he was always willing to pitch in and lend an extra hand. St Mary’s Primary give an award each year in his memory.
“Peter Smith was a janitor at the school for a long time. He was an excellent role model, a champion of the school and Leith community and an all-round really good person. This award is for those of similar character.”
Peter sadly passed away in 2019.
Did you or someone you know receive a silver or bronze medal as part of the Pillars of Leith?
We would love to hear your story, and add it to this post! Drop us an email, or submit your details on our online form.
