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Edinburgh Reporter
06-05-2025
- Edinburgh Reporter
The world was watching Edinburgh
Former police officer turned crime writer, Lee Cockburn, has revealed the proudest moment of her 24-year career with Police Scotland and before that Lothian and Borders Police. She was the officer appointed to take operational command of the late Queen Elizabeth II's lying at rest at St Giles' Cathedral in September 2022. The 56-year-old, whose fourth novel, Sylph or Satan, has been released by Clink Street Publications, was on leave when details of Her Majesty's final visit to the Scottish capital were revealed. One unexpected phone call later she found herself charged with overseeing the safety of, not just the 33,000 people who queued for hours to file past the late monarchs' coffin, but also members of the Royal Family, including the Queen's children, King Charles,The Princess Royal, Prince Edward who is now The Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Andrew, as they observed a private vigil for their mother during the 24 hour period. The mother of two, recalled: 'After the sad news of her Majesty the Queen's passing, I was rota'd for a weekend off and was a little disappointed I wasn't needed for duties in relation to The Queen's movements and service. Then, as I was walking the dog on Cramond beach with my mum, I received a call asking if I was available to cover Inspector duties at St Giles' for the full duration of The Queen's presence there.' Working from noon to midnight for four-days, Acting Inspector Cockburn would also be responsible for ensuring no harm came to visiting dignitaries and politicians, and found herself on the frontline with her team securing the cathedral and the city's Royal Mile. She said: 'I was so honoured, I would have done it for nothing. I admit I was a little nervous at being given such a responsibility but jumped at the opportunity to play my part in such an historic event, which also allowed me to show my own respect for Her Majesty.' Cockburn quickly found herself briefing her team, reminding them that 'the world was watching Scotland's police officers'. She said they should, 'ensure they offered the best of ourselves' by presenting a well-turned-out professional example. The thriller writer who was given special dispensation to write her first three crime novels – Devil's Demise, Porcelain Flesh of Innocents and Demon's Fire – while still a serving police officer, said: 'On that first day, when I looked up the Royal Mile towards Edinburgh Castle as we awaited the funeral procession, the hairs on my neck stood on end as the sheer enormity of the occasion hit me. I was standing to attention in full uniform, with marksmen in position of the roofs above me and my officers lining the route.' She continued: 'As the Queen's funeral cortège passed by St Giles, the crowd fell into complete silence, with my officers facing the oncoming procession all standing to attention. It was a spectacle to see and very emotional. I felt tears come to my eyes and struggled to remain composed. There was such sadness in the air.' Once the cortège had passed the thousands that had gathered began to move off. Later, when the Queen's coffin was brought from Holyrood Palace to St Giles', thousands again queued for hours for an opportunity to pay their final respects to the Monarch. Once more, Cockburn was there, her 6ft 1in frame easily spotted in TV footage as the Royals arrived and left the cathedral. 'I watched over them and made sure my team were ready for any eventuality and that everyone was respectful, calm and safe at all times. It was a very solemn day. I recognised many people in the queue and even shared a hug with my old history teacher. I also tried to keep the spirits up of those that had waited in the cold for hours and made many new acquaintances, the cathedral staff, TV news readers, Lords and Ladies, all gathered in mutual grief.' She added: 'As I sat on the police bus that took us back to base after those four back-shifts, I reflected with pride and sadness of being a part of such a momentous chapter in Scottish history and felt so privileged to have been given the opportunity to do so.' Edinburgh, UK. 12th September 2022. The hearse carrying Queen Elizabeth II arrives at St Giles' Cathedral for the lying at rest. PHOTO Tom Duffin. Lee Cockburn Edinburgh, UK. 12th September 2022. The hearse carrying Queen Elizabeth II arrives at St Giles' Cathedral for the lying at rest. PHOTO Tom Duffin. Like this: Like Related
Daily Record
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Scots police officer recounts tears over late Queen's coffin duties
Lee Cockburn, who also writes gritty crime novels, said she was moved to tears while on duty during the late monarch's memorial. A police officer who writes gritty crime thrillers has told how guarding Queen Elizabeth's coffin reduced her to tears. Lee Cockburn, also a Scotland international capped rugby player, was in charge for the monarch's lying in state in St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh, in September 2022. Over four days, the acting inspector was charged with the safety of more than 33,000 people who queued for hours to file past the coffin as well as the Royal Family as they observed a private vigil. Mum-of-two Lee, 56, from Edinburgh, said: 'I received a call asking if I was available to cover inspector duties at St Giles for the full duration of the Queen's presence there. I was so honoured. 'I was a little nervous at being given such a responsibility but jumped at the opportunity to play my part in such an historic event, which also allowed me to show my own respect for her Majesty the Queen. 'On that first day, when I looked up the Royal Mile towards Edinburgh Castle as we awaited the funeral procession, the hairs on my neck stood on end as the sheer enormity of the occasion hit me. 'As the Queen's funeral cortege passed by St Giles, the crowd fell into complete silence, with my officers facing the oncoming cortege, all standing to attention, it was a spectacle to see and very emotional. 'I felt tears come to my eyes and struggled to remain composed. There was such sadness in the air.' Before joining the force more than two decades ago , Lee had played for the Scotland women's rugby team for 15 years, earning 77 caps for the Scottish ladies and British Lionesses. She swam competitively for 12 years, successfully representing Edinburgh at the age of 15 in the Youth Olympics in Denmark in 1984. Lee, who is still a serving police officer, then decided to give writing a go and her novel was published in November 2014. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The thriller writer was given special dispensation to write her first three crime novels – Devil's Demise, Porcelain Flesh of Innocents and Demon's Fire. The nation was stunned when the Queen died at the age of 96 after more than 70 years on thre throne. Her coffin was brought from Holyrood Palace to St Giles where thousands queued for an opportunity to pay their final respects. Lee said: 'I watched over them and made sure my team were ready for any eventuality and that everyone was respectful, calm and safe at all times. 'As I sat on the police bus that took us back to base after those four back-shifts, I reflected with pride and sadness of being a part of such a momentous chapter in Scottish history and felt so privileged to have been given the opportunity to do so.' 'Sylph or Satan' is the fourth instalment in Lee's Edinburgh-set crime thriller series where DS Taylor Nicks and DC Marcus Black are back, fighting crime on the streets of the Scottish capital.
USA Today
05-04-2025
- General
- USA Today
What are the names of the holes at Augusta National , and why are they named that way?
What are the names of the holes at Augusta National , and why are they named that way? If you ever hit the Powerball and decide to build your own golf course, do the world a favor: Don't name your golf holes. Stick with the hole numbers, because they are sufficient. Golf holes don't need names, which tend to lean toward Devil's Demise or Shoreline Crescendo – you likely won't be able to prevent yourself from getting that corny. Who do you think you are, Augusta National? Of course, every rule needs an exception, and at the home of the Masters this practice makes perfect sense because of its natural sensibility. Each hole has a name, and if you're a real Augustaphile, you know them all. Flowering this, dogwood that. Golden Bell sounds lovely. Augusta National Golf Club named its holes because each has at least one example of a type of tree or shrub planted alongside it. Once known as Fruitland Nurseries, the land upon which the course sits was owned by the Berckmans family. Louis Alphonse Berckmans returned after the course was built to help rehabilitate the trees and shrubs, and he was given a membership at the new club. In 1932 as a member of the club's Beautification Committee, working alongside Augusta National founders Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts, Berckmans helped select the 18 varieties of tree or shrub for each hole. Some specimens already were in place, while others needed to be relocated. Worth noting: The club has said more than 80,000 plants of over 350 varieties have been planted around the property. With the greenery in place, the holes had their names. It works so well at Augusta National as part of a tradition that would be tough to match anywhere else. The names of the holes at Augusta National Golf Club
