Notes from The Editor – Issue 54
Posted by Billy in July's MagazineCaptains Courageous
It’s A Knockout – remember Stuart Hall’s hysterical laughter and the mud baths? – Is coming to Spartans FC at Ainslie Park on Sunday 2nd August. running from 11am till 3pm, there will be eight giant inflatable games and twelve teams will take part. CCLASP, a Leith based charity, have brought the old favourite north to raise monies for their (non – funded) work.
CCLASP is a parent led voluntary organisation for families of kids with long term or incurable illnesses, offering advice and information on all aspects of caring for children with cancer or leukaemia. This is first hand support, as most of the staff are parents or relatives of kids who have or have had cancer. They run a drop in centre for families, and a helpline offering advice and support to over 500 parents, siblings, and the kids themselves. Every team will have a child as captain – captains courageous indeed – and anyone wishing to sponsor a child can do so for £250. You can also enter a team of ten for £500 or just turn up on the day, have fun, and donate.
Whatever you do, please dig deep; this is a wonderful charity, devoted to a crucial and deserved cause. They provide holiday caravans and transport for critically ill kids, and fun days out, to take their minds of the treatments and operations. I was going to tell you about the new bespoke mini bus or the holiday cottage they are renovating but something else on their website caught my eye… ‘We try to organise dream come true trips where time is an important factor.’ Where time is an important factor…that stopped me in my tracks. Tel: 0131 467 7420 www.cclasp.net
Leith Victoria Amateur Boxing Club
The 90th Anniversary of Leith Victoria slipped under our radar; too busy watching Mogwai and The Twilight Sad. It shouldn’t have, it is the very epitome of a venerable old institution. Started by shipbuilders at Victoria Docks, in a wooden hut where Ocean Terminal now stands, it was originally for lunchtime keep fit sessions. The ablutions were performed at a trough of water outside. Our cover subject Emily and Fundo, on the contents page, both train at Leith Victoria’s current home on Academy Street. Fundo indeed was voted number one prospect in Britain at middleweight, until a genetically inherited corneal problem caused him to step down. He is now, we understand, back in full training. The club is the oldest in Scotland and many ‘bonnie Scottish fechters’ have pummelled the punch bag there. Johnny Hill, World Champion 1928 – who died of pneumonia on the day he was to defend his title, at the age of 23. James ‘Tancy’ Lee, and George Smith, who fought in the only fight where two different decisions were reached in the same fight, winning in three rounds then getting called back from the showers as the fight was meant to be over four rounds, and eventually losing.(He went on to referee Muhammad Ali v Henry Cooper.) Alex Arthur, World Champion 2008. Up to the present, where young Steven Simmons has won sponsorship to train with the British Olympic team. Women are welcome, as our cover attests. “Things can only get better,” says a gnarled old pugilist, a wicked twinkle in his eyes, and who are we to argue?
Photography by Scott Wilkins