Rebus to the rescue
David Knox • Published 9 May 2012 09:30
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IT began last year with two strangers arranging to meet in a Peebles pub.
It ended this week with a famed author handing over a priceless possession in a downtown Edinburgh bar.
Nobody was arrested.
Famed crimewriter Ian Rankin may have consigned his infamous Inspector Rebus to the history books, but Lothian and Borders Police's finest has still, yet again, come to the rescue.
A bottle of limited edition Highland Park whisky, distilled to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Rebus' first foray into print, has been donated to the Alec Lucas Memorial Trust by the author.
And it is expected to boost the Trust's funds, which supports Tweeddale football and the Royal Marines charities, by around £2,000.
Adrian Lucas, who is part of the committee which runs the Trust in honour of his son, was delighted with the gift from Scotland's most popular contemporary writer. He told us: "Ian Rankin is a perfect gentleman and we can't thank him enough for his support."
Marine Alec Lucas was killed in action during a tour of duty with 45 Commando in Afghanistan almost four years ago.
Friends and family back home in Peebles set up a Trust to support causes close to his heart.
Almost £60,000 has been raised so far through three annual football tournaments and accompanying auctions.
And the Highland Park tipple will boost the fund further when it is auctioned following this year's tournament later this month.
Ian Rankin learned of the Alec Lucas Trust through Twitter friend, Ally Wilson.
The local music teacher, who is a neighbour of the Lucas family, explained: "Both Ian and I were regulars on Twitter a while back and he Tweeted once about sitting in Oliver Reed's favourite pub - which I knew was in Peebles. I Tweeted back saying I'd see him in the Crown for a pint.
"He had left by that point but he Tweeted back to meet up later in the Hydro bar and have been friends ever since."
A recent request by Ally for a signed book by his Twitter pal to aid the Alec Lucas Memorial Trust resulted in Rankin offering up a bottle of his prized whisky instead.
The Highland Park Rebus 20-year-old single malt was limited to 140 bottles when it was released back in 2007 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Knots and Crosses being published.
All 160 were given to the author as a thank you - and many have now benefited charities he supports with the most recent bottles going on the market reaching around £2,000.
The signed bottle of Highland Park Rebus will be auctioned during a reception in the Drill Hall on the evening of Saturday, May 26.
Ahead of the tournament day, the Trust is also hosting a comedy hypnotist evening.
Hypnotist Ken Maybury has provided over 100 tickets for the show to be sold by members of the Alec Lucas Trust committee - with £6 from every £8 ticket going to the charity.
Carol Drummond from the Trust said: "It is up to us to sell as many tickets as possible. It promises to be a great night and we hope lots of people will come along and support us."
The comedy hypnotist show on Saturday, May 12, is strictly over 18s only and tickets can be ordered by calling Mrs Drummond on 01721 722145.
Carol added: "All people have to do is phone and we will deliver the tickets to them."
This article appeared in Border Telegraph 09 May 12
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