Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
A golden girl joins 90s group
JUDITH TONNER
A group of lifelong friends from Glenboig had an extra- special party – as they honoured their latest member to reach her milestone 90th birthday.
May McDougall celebrated the momentous occasion in the company of dozens of family and friends, including fellow members of the village’s popular autumn group who have also reached or surpassed the landmark.
She is pictured, second left, with friends (from left) Mary Henvey, Annie McAlinden, Mary McGinty and ( seated) Rita Smith; who have known each other for decades as neighbours and even classmates in the village, and busily take part in the club’s activities ranging from sewing to cycling at ages from 90 to 92.
All five celebrated at a dinner held by May’s family and their community friends from Glenboig Development Trust, featuring food, dancing and live entertainment and which was held at the autumn club’s regular meeting venue of the village’s Masonic Hall.
Their friends at the group include another member of the 90s club – much-loved local lady Betty McLung, who has attended the autumn group since it was founded.
Glenboig trust development manager Teresa Aitken told the Advertiser: “These ladies have lived in the community all their lives; some even went to school together, and they’ve all known each other as part Glenboig for a very long time.
“They’re all good friends and have known each other for a lifetime; most were brought up here and have known each other from a very young age, some go to church together, and they’re all a big part of the community.
“Most of them have been going to the autumn group for 15 years or more and do lots of activities together there.
“The group does a lot of different things, like trips, residential holidays, speakers, bingo, tea dances and chair aerobics, and some of the ladies have taken part in our local cycling programme.”
Also among the women’s talents and interests are sewing, and they previously joined with other autumn group members to embroider a quilt featuring the village’s historic buildings, and another with landmarks which the group has visited over the years including Loch Katrine, Glenfinnan Viaduct, Linlithgow Palace and the Forth Rail Bridge.
Teresa added: “The autumn group keeps people connected, and it’s great to have these ladies as part of it.
“They’re really active and were up dancing at May’s party; there was music, entertainment and line dancing, and everybody thoroughly enjoyed coming together to celebrate.
“It was really special to celebrate May’s 90th birthday with all her family and friends.
“We have a few more members and people around the village who are coming up to 90 as well, so there will undoubtedly be more celebrations to come when they reach that milestone too.”