Margaret Smith (21/07/1936 – 23/01/2015)
B&F April 2015
It was with great sadness that we heard of Margaret’s passing. Margaret, along with husband George, and Gibby Lang founded The Newtongrange Club in October 1977. Many of today’s musicians will have been encouraged by Margaret, both in playing at the Club and taking part in the Competitions.
Over the 35 years of their leadership they built it into a very successful Club. Among the special events they organised were parties for the 10th abd 21st anniversaries, attended by many well-respected names including Joan and Jimmy Blue, Norrie and Sheila Williams, Ken Mutch and Robbie shepherd to name but a few. They also held a ‘This Is Your Life’ for Jim Johnstone, inviting a host of great musicians to appear.
Margaret and George were very keen dancers and held regular supper dances. Being great friends with the great bandleader Jim Johnstone they set up dance classes with Jim providing the music. When Robbie Shepherd wrote his book ‘Let’s Have a Ceilidh’, Margaret was one of the two ladies who assisted with the dance instructions.
Margaret and George were also regular visitors to Mull, and became great friends with Bobby MacLeod over the years, spending many happy hours in the Mishnish enjoying music, craic and no doubt a few drams.
Apart from music and dancing Margaret loved floral art, which she taught and judged at flower shows. As in all things she did, she was a total perfectionist.
Due to ill health both spent some time in hospital until George passed away in October 2012. Margaret then moved to a nursing home in Wallyford, which allowed her to resume regular attendance at the Club she had helped to establish
Over the 35 years of their leadership they built it into a very successful Club. Among the special events they organised were parties for the 10th abd 21st anniversaries, attended by many well-respected names including Joan and Jimmy Blue, Norrie and Sheila Williams, Ken Mutch and Robbie shepherd to name but a few. They also held a ‘This Is Your Life’ for Jim Johnstone, inviting a host of great musicians to appear.
Margaret and George were very keen dancers and held regular supper dances. Being great friends with the great bandleader Jim Johnstone they set up dance classes with Jim providing the music. When Robbie Shepherd wrote his book ‘Let’s Have a Ceilidh’, Margaret was one of the two ladies who assisted with the dance instructions.
Margaret and George were also regular visitors to Mull, and became great friends with Bobby MacLeod over the years, spending many happy hours in the Mishnish enjoying music, craic and no doubt a few drams.
Apart from music and dancing Margaret loved floral art, which she taught and judged at flower shows. As in all things she did, she was a total perfectionist.
Due to ill health both spent some time in hospital until George passed away in October 2012. Margaret then moved to a nursing home in Wallyford, which allowed her to resume regular attendance at the Club she had helped to establish