Included in this total are:-

Miners' collections at pit - £59.5s.0d
and £55.17s.6d.
Garden fete at St. Aidan's - £144.11s.2.1/2d
Derby Draw - £127.19s.9d.
P. Calder - £1
Midlothian Schools - £2
Mr. Smith, Newtongrange - 5/-
Arniston Gothenburg - £100
Refund development charges - £63
J. Learmouth - 10/-
Marshall Dow - £1.5s.0d.
Mr. Miller, Stow - £1.

Donations can be sent to Mr. Edward Williamson, 50, Hunterfield Terrace, Gorebridge.

On Sunday evening, a series of film shows was started in Dundas Hall, Arniston, and it is hoped that this series will considerably augment the Field Fund - its sole object. This will continue all through the winter. Film showing this Sunday is 'Seven Sweethearts', starring Kathryn Grayson.

One of the best known personalities in Lothians football circles, Mr. Alex. Pryde of Newtongrange, was the principal guest at a supper and dance arranged by the Arniston Rangers F.C. Supporters' Club on Saturday evening in the Vogrie Hall, Gorebridge, attended by a company of nearly 200. Mr. Alex. Herriot, president of the Supporters' Club presided, and included in the platform party was Mr. James Clarkson former captain of Arniston Rangers, and now a playing member of Dunfermline Athletic F.C.

After supper, the chairman stated that the function had been organised to honour Mr. Pryde, who has had a long and faithful association with Arniston Rangers Football Club.

LONG SERVICE

Beginning his football career as a juvenile in 1930 he joined the ranks of the junior combination Newtongrange Star, and helped them to win the Midlothian League Championship and Thornton Shield.

From 1935 to 1939 he assisted Arniston Rangers, who won the Fife and Lothians Cup in 1937.

After a season with Haddington Athletic, he stepped up to the senior ranks, assisting Leith Athletic for one season. Reverting to junior status, he joined Bathgate Thistle, and then returned to Newtongrange Star for a further two seasons. He rejoined Arniston Rangers in 1947 and during the past four seasons had assisted the club to win the East of Scotland Cup and League Cup in season 1947 - 48, and the Brown Cup in season 1948 - 49.

Mr. Pryde had completed twenty years as a player, eight of which had been with Arniston Rangers.

PRESENTATION

As a token of their appreciation, Arniston Rangers Supporters' Club wanted to mark the occasion by presenting Mr. Pryde with a gift, and Jimmy Clarkson made the presentation.

In handing over a handsome mantel clock, Mr. Clarkson said it was an honour to him to make the presentation to Alex. Pryde, a former playing colleague, and one of his closest friends.

He also presented a pearl necklace to Mrs. Pryde.

In a short reply, Mr. Pryde thanked the Supporters' Club for their handsome gifts.

Mr. Clarkson also presented a table lighter suitably inscribed to Mr. Herriot.

A musical programme was provided by members of the company, and this was followed by a dance.

Aged 17 - and already mentioned as a possibility for a junior international cap... Signed by a senior club as an inside forward, and now holding his junior club together at centre half.

That, in brief, sums up the career of blonde-headed Charlie Aitken, ex-inside right of Gorebridge Vics.

Charlie's performances at centre half for the Rangers are now providing one of the main subjects for discussion at Gorebridge. Since the departure of Jimmy Clarkson to Dunfermline Athletic, the Rangers committee have found the centre half position a real headache. Arnold, the ex-Hib, was inconsistent, and although he played some great games, he failed to inspire the defence with confidence.

Charlie is now doing just that. For his age and weight, he carries the responsibility of the pivotal position amazingly well. He is the essentially cool type, and, for one so young, has a remarkably keen positional sense.

Yet, for all his good performances at centre half, there are still many who insist that Charlie is being wasted in this position. There can be no doubt that those who hold this opinion have good reason.

For one thing, Charlie has a deadly shot, with either foot. Near goal his head is accurate and dangerous. He has perfect ball-control and a deceptive nerve. What more is wanted? You might well ask. The answer is - speed.

Charlie is no speed-merchant, and no one knows this better than himself. The lack of that extra yard of speed has been the basis of all criticism levelled at him. His style is rather peculiar, for he moves with a sort of loping stride. This style appears much slower that it really is, for Charlie can often bring out an extra spurt when necessary. We saw some good illustrations of this at Pilton on Saturday, when Charlie was at right half.

Critics of the policy of playing him at centre half say that Arniston should have persevered in trying to develop a little more speed in the player. Personally, I agree. It might have taken longer, but the results, when they did come, would have been well worth seeing.

Perhaps the Arniston committee intends to try him again at inside forward if and when they find another good centre half. I certainly think they should - for their own sake as well as for the player's.

Charlie's natural talents are all for the forward line. He is not fast, but I could name a dozen inside forwards who were no sprinters either. He is putting up grand displays at centre half, but a natural footballer of his ability could play well almost anywhere, In fact, I happen to know that he would not disgrace himself in goal.