During the second world war my mother made a picture out of glass painted black and silver paper. Dad made the frame and feet for it and it made a nice firescreen. It was on show in a shop window in Lumley Street, Grangemouth. Marion Adams and I sold raffle tickets for it and the proceeds went to the Spitfire Fund. Betty Dempster and I sold poppies for the Earl Haig Fund as well. Dog walking, looking after children, running messages etc followed. I continued volunteering after I married but my most unusual one happened when my daughter was about a year old. We were visiting the doctor and the waiting room was really busy with men and women when the Dr came out of the surgery and rhymed off several names, one of whom was missing, so he asked for volunteer to be vaccinated. No one responded, so I did and with the baby on one arm I was vaccinated on the other. Someone I knew very well was sacked from their job in 1970 and I advised him to go to a tribunal but he said he didn’t have any money for a solicitor – and I told him anyone could represent him, and I did. My interests over the years have been many and varied, writing poetry, knitting, embroidery, painting and gardening to name but a few. Being involved in the way I am now in my community is much different from selling raffles where I began. I like to learn from other people. In some areas, people can make it hard for people who are in some way different to integrate into their communities. |
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I’ve been involved with a lot of groups - here are some of them: Founder member of: Falkirk Art Club, Bainsford and New Carron Forum, Langlees Community Development Project, Urban Programme Forum, Routes to Employment, Falkirk Civic Trust, Langlees, Bainsford & New Carron Village Community Council. Member of Falkirk Community Arts project, Dawson Employment & Training Group, Dawson Tenants & Residents Association, Dawson Inititative Building & Land Use Group, Abbotshaugh Alliance (Woodland Group), Dawson Estate Management Group. Board member of Arts in the Community (Falkirk) Ltd, Voluntary Action Resource Centre and the Community Training & Development Unit. I’m now a student at CTDU, and I enjoy it. I like the openness because you can give an honest opinion without feeling intimidated, all views are relevant and listened to, everyone can have their say.
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