Academy is remembered with candle tree memorial

A SCHOOL which closed more than 40 years ago is to be remembered with a permanent memorial later this week.

Holy Cross Academy in Ferry Road was Edinburgh’s Catholic senior secondary school until it closed in 1969.

Hundreds of former pupils gathered for the centenary reunion in 2007. And historian and former pupil Norah Carlin wrote a book about the school, which has now sold 400 copies.

Using proceeds from those sales and the sale of prints of the school by another former pupil, arts promoter Ricky Demarco, a wrought iron candle tree has been commissioned. It will be presented to St Augustine’s RC High School for their new oratory on Friday at the annual Mass for the Feast of the Holy Cross and the former pupils’ reunion.

The 5ft candle tree was designed by Jonathan Eadie and will be mounted on an oak plinth by cabinet-maker Andy McDowall of Colinton Furnishers.