Plenty tales fae Buckpool quine Barbara!
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
IT'S never too late to see your life's work in print as a Buckie pensioner has gone on to prove.
Buckpool lady Barbara Bowie had plenty to celebrate when the lockdown was eased and she was able to see her collection of poetry, entitled Tales Fae a Buckpool Quine, go on sale at Buckie Community Shop.
In the book, the sprightly 85-year-old has set out her musings on a whole range of local subjects, ranging from the town bus, the former St Andrew's Hotel through to various streets, shops and characters in the town.
Committing her thoughts to verse has been something of a lifelong passion for Barbara.
She said: "I've been writing poetry all my life.
"I remember when I was at St Peter's School I used to get a row from the teacher for writing poetry instead of paying attention to what was happening in class.
"I write about what I see and hear all around me, that's where I get my ideas from. I write bits of poems and then fit these all together.
"I've a good memory as well, which helps.
"The poems are in Buckie Doric, they're written the way folk speak.
"This is the first time I've ever had any of my poems published, it's really good to see some of them in print."
Barbara was also able to draw creative inspiration from her working life.
"I was worked at the St Andrew's Hotel for four years," she continued.
"I was a housemaid but I did a bit of everything. that included helping some of the guests who'd maybe had a bit much to drink safely back to their rooms.
"It was a fine place to work, I enjoyed it.
"I went to the bulb factory after that; I remember saying just after I started that I didn't think I was going to be any use at it but I was there for 22 years."
Funding for the book has come from Buckie Community Shop, which opened its doors for the first time since lockdown to the public on Monday, June 29. Proceeds from the publication are set to be ploughed back into the store, which exists to fund local charities, groups and good causes through grants.
Community shop founder and manager Jane Murray said: "Barbara had done a poem about Buckie Community Choir [founded by Mrs Murray] and I asked if she had more poems.
"Barbara said she did and came in with a folder full of them.
"I didn't really have a chance to do anything more with them as I was really busy but during the lockdown I had time to look at them properly and the idea of doing the book sprang from there.
"I'm delighted we were able to Buckie Community Shop was able to fund this; it's been selling really well and it's gone international already. So far we've sent copies as far afield as Canada and Australia.
"We're very grateful to Barbara for donating the proceeds of her book back to the shop to help other good causes."
Priced at just £5, Tales Fae a Buckpool Quine is on sale at Buckie Community Shop and Pozzi's. All being well, she is hopeful of releasing another edition of poetry in tie with Christmas.
More local news here.
