Grotto set to open at Overgate

SANTA’S grotto will open at the Overgate in Dundee later this week.

Entering through a giant wardrobe, children will have the opportunity to create their own wishing star decoration to take home and also enjoy festive storytelling at the Enchanted Forest Grotto, which runs until Christmas Eve. The grotto is open to the public daily and admission is free.

Helping Santa launch the grotto on Thursday at 11.30am will be Help for Kids and children from local nursery, Lisa’s Little Rascals. The Archie Foundation along with children from Daisies Kindergarten will continue the launch celebrations on Friday at 1pm.

Overgate staff and retailers are set to embrace Christmas Jumper Day on Friday, with a donation being made to Help for Kids.

Joining the Overgate team will be four choirs between 12pm and 3.30pm, Dundee Nativity, St Clement’s RC Primary, U3A Folk Group and Dundee Strathspey & Reel Society.

Steve Rennie, a student at Abertay University, died last month at the age of 38.

Steve, from Monifieth, had been unable to graduate with his classmates during the summer due to his failing health.

Now, his wife of 10 years, Sarah, and children Liam, Siobhan and Stephen have picked up his degree in accounting and finance.

Sarah said it was one of Steve’s “biggest regrets” to miss out on graduating and admitted she had “mixed emotions” as she collected the bachelor of arts degree.

She said: “We are obviously immensely proud of Steve and all of his achievements at both college and university.

“I was very nervous collecting the award but we knew it meant so much to him.

“He worked very hard towards gaining his degree and it was wonderful to be able to collect it for him.

“It is, however, extremely sad that he did not get to do it in person.”

Steve had collected a number of accolades during his time at Abertay including the Sweet and Maxwell prize in 2013 for achieving the highest academic mark in company law.

The former Monifeith High School pupil had immersed himself fully into university life, including becoming a student ambassador.

Sarah added: “He did so much he didn’t have to do. Abertay had become such a big part of his life.

“The university has been brilliant. Staff tried to arrange for Steve to graduate at the end of November but he didn’t make it.”

THE family of a man who died following a battle with cancer have told of their “immense pride” after collecting a posthumous degree in his name.