A FORMER headteacher has vowed that Haddington and District Community Council will be on hand to help people during a difficult winter.

The cost-of-living crisis has led to rising numbers of people being referred to foodbanks across the county.

Energy bills are increasing and many people are facing the difficult decision of ‘heat or eat’.

Therese Laing was appointed community council chairwoman at the group’s annual general meeting last month.

Mrs Laing, who has lived the majority of her life in the town, said: “I think it is the same for the whole of the country just now.

“People are worried about costs and poverty.

“They are worried about their heating and it is about reassuring people and finding ways that we can help.

“The Lammermuir Larder, Our Community Kitchen and all these fantastic things, the Trinity Centre and Nungate Community Centre, we would be looking at all these things and making sure we are there to help.”

The mum-of-two joined the community council two years ago and was elected as successor to Chris McEwan, who stepped down due to work commitments, at the group’s virtual meeting.

When she first joined the group in 2020, the former Humbie Primary School headteacher said that she was keen to “put back” into the community.

Mrs Laing, who also taught at Yester Primary School in Gifford, felt that the community council had a strength when it came to representing the town and nearby Athelstaneford.

She said: “It means if somebody from the community asks us to take something forward, we are in a better position to tell the council the needs of the community.

“It gives an opportunity to make changes.

“I have lived in Haddington most of my life and taught in the area for quite a big part of it.

“I just think it is an amazing place to live and there are some ways to make it even better.

“On the community council, I am really proud of the community that I live in.”

Mrs Laing, who will be assisted by new vice-chairman Jack Worden, told the Courier that she was keen to carry out a town-wide survey where each member of the community would be given the chance to share what they thought of the town and what changes could be made.

Both Mrs Laing and Mr Worden agreed to take on the roles on a six-month basis, with a view to reviewing their positions next year.

Provost John McMillan, who represents the town on East Lothian Council, welcomed the new office bearers and felt that the community was “in good hands”.

He said: “I think it is always good when people volunteer and are doing so thoughtfully.

“With their experience around Haddington, their knowledge of Haddington, it is a strong pairing as chair and vice-chair.

“It is probably the old adage when you need somebody to do something you ask a busy person.

“Already, Therese is co-ordinating the Remembrance Day parade, which is so important to the value of the community and continuing all the work that was done with the thistles [a metal thistle was placed in Haddington’s Memorial Park to mark the death of each local soldier during the First World War].

“It is one of those things that pulls the community together.”