The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Granny Greig is not forgotten as gravestone given spruce-up
Memorial to the much-loved Arbroath figure who died in 1974
She was usually seen propelling herself in a car at 10-15mph up the middle of the street, where there was less chance of striking pedestrians – sometimes with a goat in the back seat.
Annabella Greig might not have been “much of a driver” but she loved people and animals and gave generously to the community of Arbroath during her lifetime which is something that has never been forgotten.
Affectionately known in the town as “Granny Greig”, Mrs Greig’s grave has again been given a spruce-up ahead of Christmas following a community campaign to clean and restore her neglected gravestone a few years ago.
Arbroath man George Park said: “A couple of years ago, a fellow Red Lichtie, Dave Hodson, and I found ourselves doing some parallel research on Annabella Greig. Dave put a photo of her headstone on the Red Lichtie Facebook page. A comment was made that it was a shame the grave was so neglected. Ralph Coutts enlisted the help of Kenny Robertson, a monumental sculptor, and they restored the stone.
“A group of Red Lichties then met at the grave and did some planting.
“Since then, if I happen to be in the area, I just give it a wee freshen-up.”
Mrs Greig, who donated the Victoria Park pavilion to Arbroath Town Council in 1928, was known also for her stories and poetry. She died in 1974 aged 86. An extract from “Arbroath” by Annabella Greig: Arbroath is a well known town, With abbey, cliffs and sands. It has its parks and commons too, Where you can hear the bands. Its bathing pool is famous now, Folk come from far away. And, at the Arbroath paddling pools, Bairns spend the summer day. ’Tis fine to see ‘the Old Round O’ That towers above the town. The abbey speaks of ancient days, The pageant notes it down. When king and courtiers, monks and all Are seen to make their way, To commemorate a famous date: Independence Day.