Strawberry treat
The woman who founded the first private nursery school in Perth in the 1960s has celebrated her 90th birthday.
Muriel Masterson, who now lives in North William Street, Perth, founded Rose Terrace Nursery in 1963. She initially enrolled six children and, for the next 35 years as principal, saw many hundreds of local children enjoy their pre-school years there.
Muriel, who has four children and six grandchildren, celebrated her birthday with family and friends at the Huntingtower Hotel last weekend.
Muriel’s daughter, Sally Masterson, said:“Our mum has never sought praise or recognition, and we think it’s likely that many more people know her – or of her – than she thinks.
“We’re really proud that she’s had such an interesting life and look forward to the next decade.”
Although born in Edinburgh, Perth became Muriel’s home following the war years and it was here that she met her husband, Eric.
She started her working life early, serving in her mum’s fish and chip shop in Muirton and helping out in the café at Perth Swimming Baths, which her mother also ran.
At 16, Muriel then went to London and worked as a theatre secretary, before returning to Scotland and appearing on stage at an early age at the Byre Theatre in St Andrews, alongside famous actors such as Edward Woodward and Donald Sutherland.
Radical for its time, activities at Rose Terrace Nursery School were based on the Montessori concept of learning, in which Muriel was trained, and introduced youngsters to a level of education and enjoyment which was in very limited supply at that time.
During this time, Muriel also gained a licentiate certificate in speech and drama from the Royal Schools of Music and Drama, and spent many years teaching ‘elocution’, as it was known then, to local people.
Her love of the theatre continued and during the 70s and 80s, she worked in Perth Theatre booking office and was also a loyal attendee and stage manager at Perth Drama Club for many years.
Following her retirement from the nursery school after more than 35 years, she continued to work for the community, volunteering for many years in the Save the Children shop in Perth’s Kinnoull Street. Fearnan’s event is a credit to the village A Highland Perthshire village has been busy baking and making using strawberries and the result is the famous Fearnan Strawberry Tea, offered on Saturday.
The sweet treats will be served by the community in the McLean Hall, Fearnan from 3pm to 5pm on Saturday, July 20.
As ever, the tea table will be laden with strawberry delights – all the old favourites and some new ones, including some savoury strawberry treats.
Visitors can have as much as they can eat for £7 per person (school age children half price), paying cash at the door.