DOREEN McDougall’s favourite band is the Motherwell-based “Heartbeat” who regularly play their ’60s and ’70s music at the Clach Club. So she didn’t need any encouragement when she heard they were performing on 16th May.
What she didn’t realise was that the boys had come all the way North just to play for her!
The look of astonishment on her face was a picture when she came into the club and found all her family and friends - not to mention colleagues and customers of Forbes Pharmacy where she works - all set to welcome her to a surprise party. For Doreen has been behind the counter at the popular chemist’s shop for the last 33 years.
ABOVE: Clair Pieraccini is pictured presenting Doreen with a beautiful gold watch and she also received a bouquet, as did Janice Robertson (right) who has been at Forbes’ for 15 years.
I wish to thank everyone for my wonderful surprise party at the Clach Club - it was a night I will never forget. I was taken completely by surprise - who says the Merkinchers and my family and friends can’t keep a secret!
My years working at Forbes Pharmacy have flown by and I’ve enjoyed them all very much; it is a pleasure serving the Merkinch and all our customers from elsewhere in the town.
My special thanks go to my friend Merlin, who organised the whole thing and worked so hard to make it a success on the night. Also special thanks to everyone who helped and contributed to my party - you were all very generous.
I will treasure my gold watch, it is beautiful, also my lovely locket from Isa Sturrock and lovely gift from Jean Maclennan, and everyone else for their kind gifts, not forgetting my boss Andrew Green for supplying the band, Heartbeat.
I’ve been told that people were coming in the shop all the time with money towards the party, and I can’t believe I never spotted anything at all!
Once again, my heartfelt thanks to everyone. I hope to work for a good few years yet, as I am lucky to be fit and healthy. Charlie Forbes used to say that I was a workaholic - and he was right!
God bless,
Doreen MacDougall