Our sincere thanks to Elizabeth Robb who donated a beautiful collection of SWRI jewellery and badges which belonged to her mother Muriel Easson (1919 – 1990). Muriel Easson was a member of Maryburgh, Invergordon  and Drumgeith Institutes, across two Federations (Ross-shire and Sutherland Federation; Angus Federation).

Elizabeth talked to Valentina, during the Gathering, about her mother’s long and happy life as a member of the SWI:

“She was born in Darlington. Her father was a postman, her mother was a dressmaker, so the family were always beautifully clothed. They always went for a holiday to Blackpool for a fortnight every June. She didn’t have ever a sort of permanent job. She used to teach — before the GTC insisted everybody had qualifications and she didn’t have any qualifications to her name! She left school at 14 and had to get work, but she was a very intelligent woman. Dad was from Dundee and Easson is a very Angus name. She was always willing to move with him.

I was just delighted that the jewellery was of use to somebody; I thought it was great that the SWI was taking it . She was very proud of the pendant. I have a feeling the brooch that’s got a little security chain may have been a gift from Maryburgh to her when she left to go to Invergordon. She knew people in Invergordon with it being all part of the same county, and mixing in  Federation things, because she got involved heavily in county music organisation.

I didn’t escape! I occasionally went to meetings with her, but by the time we moved to Invergordon, I was in sixth year at school, so I didn’t attend regularly. Occasionally I would go as a visitor. I was a member for two years as a teenager, before we moved up to Invergordon, in the Maryburgh Branch. So yes, I used to get roped in as well especially as I was also a singer. For concerts, the two of us would do duets!

At the Rural it’s people meeting other people and getting support and help: you’ve got a network, which is great. At mum’s funeral people had come from the Highlands for it, and Drumgeith turned out in numbers. It was a support for Dad seeing all these people there.”

(Extract taken from a recording with Elizabeth Robb, made by Heritage Manager Valentina Bold)

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