Granny’s stories of interest

Motherwell Library welcomes local author Margaret Henderson for the local launch of her new book.

Granny’s Stories is a series of short life stories gleaned from tales of adventure, remarkable journeys, and interesting people.

Margaret’s intention was to inform and inspire her granddaughters, and to leave them with an image of her as something more than the old woman they knew and loved.

Born before World War II into a miner’s family in Law Village, the author left home on completion of six year’s study at secondary level.

With money earned as a waitress, she took off to France to an“au pair” position in a chateau in the Loire Valley.

After a year and with a fluency in French she secured a job as translator in East Berlin at the height of the Cold War.

McCarthy’s doctrines had seeped into British society and meant that her job and whereabouts had to be kept secret.

Her work took her to the USSR and across Siberia to China.

1958 saw her in South Sudan; she went from there to Upper Egypt on an arduous low budget voyage on the Nile.

A period living and working in Scotland interspersed with many travels culminated in a choice of early retirement and further employment in Africa and the former Soviet satellites.

The event is part of North Lanarkshire’s Encounters Cultural Festival.

Margaret said:“I’m really looking forward to the Encounters Festival event. It gives me a chance to bring the book to a new, local audience as opposed to overseas, where it seems people seem to like my stories. Come and say hi. You can ask me anything you life about my life and travels, as written about in the book.”

Margaret Henderson presents Granny’s Stories at Motherwell Library on Thursday, October 19, from 7pm to 8pm.

The event, for over 16’s only, is free. To book your place call 01698 332626 or email encounters@ culturenl.co.uk.