The Lord High Commissioner, His Grace the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry, met with members of an activity hub for veterans with sight loss in his role as the Queen’s representative to the Church of Scotland…
He visited the Linburn Centre in West Lothian, which is run by charity Scottish War Blinded. His Grace is the organisation’s President and selected to visit the charity as Lord High Commissioner, a role which dates back to 1603.
Linburn Centre Manager, Jim Thomson, said: “It is an honour to welcome our president, the Duke of Buccleuch, back to the Linburn Centre in his official capacity as a representative of the Queen. His Grace is very supportive of our work here.”
After touring the centre’s art room, woodwork and skills kitchen, His Grace spoke to rehabilitation staff and members taking part in archery and acoustic shooting activities.
The activity hub is for men and women of all ages and abilities – and is open free of any costs.
Scottish War Blinded member, Peter Conaghan, was among the members at the centre. Peter served 22 years in the army, including in the Gulf War, Iraq, Sierra Leone and the Falklands, before retiring as a Staff Sergeant in 2010. The 54-year-old army veteran lost his sight after a stroke in 2016.
He said: “When I had my stroke, it was like a bomb had gone off and I couldn’t make sense of the world. Scottish War Blinded stepped in when I really needed help. Both the facilities and staff are outstanding, and I can’t thank them enough for the help they have given me.”
