News

Cabbies roll into Whitefoord as bowls makes welcome return

A long-held tradition returned to Whitefoord House when, for the first time in seven years, we invited a team of local lawn green bowlers to take on SVR residents.

Eight taxi drivers from two of the best known Edinburgh bowling clubs - Juniper Green and Carrick Knowe - spent an afternoon playing alongside a mixed team of residents and staff members.  It was a hugely entertaining event, with the banter and chat flowing non-stop... Edinburgh cab-drivers do, after all, love a chat!

The match caused attracted quite a few onlookers, as tourists paused from their travels to and from the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Scottish Parliament, to watch the action from over the wall on the Royal Mile.

At the end of the afternoon, over tea, tray bakes and sandwiches, the visitors presented a handsome rose bowl to the SVR team which will now be played for twice a year. The trophy was commissioned to commemorate taxi drivers lost in conflict over the years.

The next match will see the SVR team visiting the Juniper Green bowling club for the ‘away’ leg in September.

The SVR team were fantastic ambassadors for the charity. Special mention must go to chef Conor Martin for the fantastic spread and resident Ian Young. 

Ian has spent the last 16 years maintaining the artificial bowling green and ensuring residents get top level coaching whenever they want it. Without his considerable efforts, the match would never have happened.

Huge thanks to the cabbies for making the effort to visit - it should not be underestimated how important social events like this are to our residents. See you in September for round two!