TALENTED local youngster Scott Nicholl has been awarded a place at the famed Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London, as previously reported in the Telegraph.

Scott and his family have embarked upon a number of fundraising efforts to support him financially while he is studying. Local musician and teacher Polly Beck had helped Scott to produce a show in the Beacon during the summer, called Pure Imagination, to assist his efforts.

Polly’s husband Alan is RWM of Lodge Greenock Kilwinning No XII.

The brethren of No XII are very keen to support local talent, so Bro Alan proposed at No XII’s special summer meeting that the collection should all be presented to Scott’s ‘fund’.

The brethren’s generosity resulted in £350 being raised and Lodge Treasurer Bro David Stevenson presented the cheque to Scott at the show.