And on hand to hear all about her life over the last 100 years was South Lanarkshire’s Depute Provost Bert Thomson and Deputy Lieutenant for Lanarkshire Linda McDowall DL.
Margaret Ann Dickson Aitken Craig was born in Glasgow on 18 September 1924. She was the first child of Samuel and Harriet Craig. Her younger sister Mary became her lifelong friend.
When Margaret’s mum sadly passed away in 1929, she was looked after by her dad, and also lived with her Aunt Maggie in London Road, Bridgeton.
Margaret was very clever at school. She attended Barrowfield Primary School and was a runner-up dux in her final year at Bernard Street School in 1938.
In those days university was not an option, so she found employment with some of Glasgow’s well-known employers. Initially, she was engaged as a ‘picker’ at Templetons, picking white threads from carpets. During WWII she was employed by Singers, making parts for the war effort.
Margaret’s life changed when she met “a nice guy with dark wavy hair” called Jim Campbell.
However, the path of true love was temporarily stalled when Jim was called up for the army and sailed to the Far East in 1944.
When Jim returned their romance continued and they married in 1948 in Shettleston Parish Church.
In the mid-fifties, the couple moved to a house in Kirktonholme Road, East Kilbride and had three children – Ian, Dorothy and Gordon.
Margaret and Jim were very much part of the new town’s story with Jim working at Rolls Royce for more than 30 years.
Margaret loved her garden and delighted in her kitchen, feeding family and friends.
Margaret was a member of the West Kirk and actively involved in the Co-operative Women’s Guild for many years. She also took part in various Ladies Clubs and the Flower Club.
Jim passed away 16 years ago.
Margaret is now a senior member of the Happy Corner Stroke Club run by the WRVS.
Today, the wee girl from the east end has eight grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild.
If you would like the Provost to attend a Diamond Wedding or 100th birthday please get in touch with the Provost’s Office.
