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I’ the Licht o’ September Sleepin’

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I’ve been finding it difficult to motivate myself to write for this blog. Too much heartache & frustration, especially for this month, & until certain material changes in circumstances happen, we won’t be able to escape the liminal purgatory we find ourselves in.

So rather than leave the blog to gather dust, I’m going to engage in some cross-promotion to my other blog, because the subject I’ve chosen for Cimmerian September happens to intersect with one of the primary themes of the Wilderness too – that of Scottish history, literature, & lore, & specifically how it relates to a certain Texan author of the early 20th Century.

Re-reading Robert E. Howard & his Scottish influences – including but hardly limited to Walter Scott, James Macpherson, George Francis Scott Elliot, William Scott-Elliot, Lewis Spence, Arthur Conan Doyle, Robert Louis Stevenson, Fiona MacLeod, John Buchan, & Robert Service – did a lot to revitalise my ailing soul, battered as it is by all the betrayals & disappointments of the past decade, & reminded me that it’s better to do something rather than to despair.

So join me over on The Blog That Time Forgot this month, as I explore Scotland & the Scots – & the Picts, & the Celts, & all the rest – in the works of Robert E. Howard.

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Then Guidwife Count the Lawin’

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The cause of Scottish Independence has a political dimension, to be sure – but it is more than just a political issue. It is one of identity, of choice, of democracy, and of belief. The movement has suffered terrible setbacks in recent years, inflicted by cruel fate or “those among us born without imagination.” It is one thing to have come so close, with hope for the future, & quite another to see those we placed our hopes in fail.

So it’s up to us to dig ourselves out of this.

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International Women’s Day 2025: A Celebration of Gourock Women

Nell McFadden at home
(Image: Wikimedia Commons)

For International Women’s Day 2025, I thought I’d follow on from a previous year & commemorate women of Gourock history who contributed to our town. Some are expanded biographies of women I’ve written about before, while others are new to the site.

As someone very interested in Gourock’s heritage and history, I will make a point of continuing my research & exploration of women who made Gourock the town it is today. There is still so much to learn & to know.

Catherine Mary Barr

Caroline Anne Gamble

Mairi Hedderwick

Bet Low

Ailsa Maxwell

Nell McFadden

Muriel Ritson

Melissa Stribling

Margaret Young

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Daughters of Gourock: Margaret Young

Margaret Young

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(Image: Mrs. Margaret Young (d 1951), Provost of Gourock 1932-1935 – Bromide print on paper – R27335.14 – ©McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock)

Margaret Young was the first woman Provost not only of Gourock, but of the whole Lower Clyde area.

Margaret was born in Helensburgh, but was a Gourockian for over 50 years, living on Binnie Street for most of her life. Before she was co-opted onto Gourock Council in 1925, she joined the Gourock branch of the Soldiers’, Sailors’, and Airmen’s Families’ Association during the First World War, and was promoted to chairman for the Western Division. In 1928, she was appointed Junior Magistrate – the first woman to hold this office in Gourock.

As Councillor for Gourock Third Ward and later Provost of Gourock, she received the Duke of Windsor on his journey through Gourock to Rothesay, & was invited to many Royal Garden Parties at Holyroodhouse. Her work was recognised by Queen Mary, who sent her a Certificate of Merit in 1932.

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The Young family grave at Gourock Cemetary (Image: Rain Storms, 18th May 2023)

Mrs Young died on 18th January 1951, and is buried with her father-in-law William (d. 16th December 1923), her brother-in-law Eric (d. 11th April 1929), her husband Stuart (d. 6th June 1941), and her son John (d. 7th November 1961) in Gourock Cemetary.

Other Gourock women in politics include Joan McAlpine (1962-, 1st Member of the Scottish Parliament born in Gourock, 2011-21); Anna McCurley (1943-2022, 1st woman to represent Gourock at the UK Parliament, from 1983-87); Lynne Quinn (Current Independent Councillor, elected 2017, 2022); Sandra Reynolds (Current & 1st SNP woman Councillor to represent Gourock, elected 2022).

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Daughters of Gourock: Melissa Stribling

Melissa Stribling

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Melissa Stribling is most famous for her role as Mina Holmwood opposite Christopher Lee’s Dracula in Horror of Dracula (Image: Publicity shot, Horror of Dracula, Hammer 1958)

Melissa Stribling Smith was born in Gourock on 7th November 1926. Little is known of her time in Gourock except that it was short: she moved with her family to England by the time she was in her teens. She worked as a cutting-room assistant at the famous Ealing Studios: here she met her future husband, director Basil Dearden. It wasn’t long before the photogenic Melissa made the jump from behind-the-scenes to on the screen: she trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, and was soon starring in films, starting with 1948’s The First Gentlemen, and television, starting with 1952’s The Locked Room.

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Melissa Stribling taking a call as Pegg in The League of Gentlemen – not to be confused with the later television series (Image: Publicity still, The League of Gentleman, Allied Film Makers1960)

Melissa is probably most famous for her role as Mina Holmwood in 1958’s Dracula, the first of the legendary Hammer Horrors featuring Christopher Lee as Dracula and Peter Cushing as Van Helsing. The film was notorious for its shockingly violent & provocative content, with Melissa’s performance as Mina a particular focus for moral indignation (and, in later years, praise for accomplished acting):

 

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Melissa Stribling with Patrick Allen (Image: Publicity shot, “The New People,” Journey to the Unknown, 1969)

Melissa continued to work as a character actress over the course of 30 years: some of her notable roles in film & television in addition to Mina Holmwood include Lady Conyngham (The First Gentleman, 1948, film debut); Amanda North (Murder Reported, 1953); Joanna Brent (Crucible of Terror, 1971); Mrs Langley (Sherlock Holmes & Doctor Watson, 1979); & Lady Boeing (Paris by Night, 1988, final film role).

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The 2008 Royal Mail Stamp which featured Melissa Stribling & Christopher Lee

Melissa died on 22nd March 1992. 16 years later, Melissa was the first Scottish woman to be depicted on a Royal Mail stamp when the Royal Mail commemorated the 50th anniversary of Dracula in 2008, and only the fourth Scot after Robert the Bruce, Robert Burns, and David Livingstone.

Other Gourock women in media & culture: Gillian Berrie (Filmmaker & Producer); Margaret Harrison (Violinist, prodigy, one of the Harrison sisters); Alison & Fiona McNeill (Reely Jiggered); Megan Murray (Singer-Songwriter); Fiona Ritchie (Broadcaster, Presenter).

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Daughters of Gourock: Muriel Ritson

Muriel Ritson

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Muriel Ritson (Image: Glasgow Daily Record 16th February 1917)

Muriel Ritson was born on 8th July 1885, on Broomberry Drive: the middle child to John Fletcher Ritson and Agnes Jane Catto. John’s father Thomas was stationmaster of Cathcart Street Station (now Greenock Central). Muriel attended Greenock Academy before learning at a co-educational finishing school in Germany. This was a valuable experience for her, as it instilled a dedication to ensuring equal opportunities for women in the workplace.

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Daughters of Gourock: Nell McFadden

Nell McFadden

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Nell McFadden (Image: George Munro, Greenock Telegraph)

Nell McFadden was born on 26th March 1927. She was a community stalwart who worked for the community since she was 15, as a “gas lassie” for the council during WW2. After retiring from her job as clerical assistant for the Ministry of Defense at Coulpourt in her 50s, Nell got involved with the local community. In 1988, Nell was a founder member of Strathclyde (later Inverclyde) Elderly Forum, where she remained for 32 years, and eventually became Chair; in 1998 she was appointed director of West of Scotland Seniors Forum.

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Nell McFadden at home

Nell was a tireless campaigner for improving the lives and opportunities of older people, particularly those with low incomes, and headed many high profiles campaigns for elderly rights: by 1999 she was involved in as many as 16 committees at once, & met with the Prime Minister to discuss policy. She was honoured in the 2002 Queen’s Birthday Honours, where she received an M.B.E. “For services to Older People in Renfrewshire.” In 2004, Nell was appointed director of Inverclyde Community Care Forum.

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Nell McFadden as Chieftain of the Gourock Highland Games

One of the most famous campaigns she was involved in was for free bus travel for all Scottish pensioners, introduced as Scotland’s National Concessionary Travel Scheme in 2006. In 2015, Nell was appointed Chieftain of the Gourock Highland Games, and Inverclyde’s older people’s champion. She traveled as far afield as Sweden, the Netherlands, Denmark, France, & throughout the UK in her work as ambassador for older people. In 2017, she received an honourary membership of the Scottish Seniors Alliance.

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Nell McFadden among the community she loved

Some of Nell’s most notable campaigns include Free bus travel for pensioners; increasing state pension in line with inflation; saving emergency services at Inverclyde Royal hospital; & planning, developing, & provisioning local services. Nell finally retired from active campaigning in 2020: she enjoyed 3 years of well-deserved retirement until her death on 24th August 2023.

Other Gourock women in community activism: Susan Duncan (MBE, charity worker, activist); Nina Kirk (UK Young Citizen of the Year for climate activism); Jackie McKelvie MBE (social housing volunteer, GCC chair); Shiela MacLeod MBE (charity worker); Reverend Teri Peterson (Minister of St. John’s Church).

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Daughters of Gourock: Ailsa Maxwell

Ailsa Maxwell

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(Image: Wikimedia Commons)

Ailsa Giles Macdonald was born on 16th December 1922 to railway manager Douglas & schoolteacher Grace in Gourock. When Douglas was transferred to Euston Station, the family moved to London. Ailsa returned to Scotland for further education at Dumfries Academy, then the University of Edinburgh in 1942.

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Daughters of Gourock: Mairi Hedderwick

Mairi Hedderwick

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Image: Leila Angus

Mairi Hedderwick is a popular children’s author and illustrator, best known for the Katie Morag series. While she was born in Edinburgh on 2nd May 1939 & grew up in the Scottish Highlands, she has deep ties to Gourock. Her grandfather, Dan “Konga Vantu” Crawford, was a Plymouth Brethren missionary who travelled to central Africa to aid refugees suffering from imperial predation. Mairi attended Gourock Primary, and later St. Columba’s School for Girls in Kilmacolm: from her home she could see the great Cowal Hills beyond Kirn and Dunoon, a sight everyone in Gourock will be familiar with. These memories would inspire the Katie Morag stories.

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