A north-east Fife woman who nominated a recipient of the MBE for the New Year’s Honours has said she was “thrilled to bits” at the award.
Mary Lawrie, of Ceres, put forward Catriona ‘Kitty’ Mason, of Edinburgh, for her services to lace-making.
Mrs Lawrie said Miss Mason teaches lace-making all over Scotland, including travelling to Dundee, Arbroath, Perth, Inverness, Nairn and Shetland.
Mrs Lawrie said, “When my husband and I moved to Ceres in 1981 I remember saying I was disappointed that no-one was teaching lace-making, and that was when Kitty said she would do it and she’s been doing it ever since.”
Mrs Lawrie collated the material for the nomination but stressed that she received support from those involved in the lace-making classes held by Kitty.
“I sent the information to the Scottish Office but we didn’t think Kitty would receive the MBE as there were hundreds of other people,” she added.
Miss Mason (62), of Comely Bank, started lace-making in Leeds in 1971. She teaches every second Saturday at the Ceres Lace Group.
She said, “I know those who make lace think I’m good, because I keep going around the country teaching them all.
“However, to have it formalised is quite humbling.”