Members' Information

WINIFRED BROWN

1927- 2010

With the death of Winifred Brown on 3rd June, Paisley Colour has lost one of its longest serving and faithful members.

Winifred joined the Club in 1959 and during the following 51 years rarely missed a meeting.  She served as a Council Member and acted as Competition Secretary for a number of years (1977-81), before becoming Vice-President and finally President during 1980-82, the first female President of the Club.  The highlight of her presidency was being presented with the PAGB Slide Championship Trophy in 1981, the first time it had been won by a Scottish Club. 

Her greatest contribution to the Club was her commitment to the Paisley International Exhibition which she served for 26 years, much longer than any other individual.  During this time she acted as Chairman of the Natural History Section for 18 years.  For the final 9 years of the Exhibition she combined the role of Nature Chair with joint overall chairmanship.   This involved a lot of painstaking work throughout the year and particularly during November, December and January.  One aspect that gave her great satisfaction and reward for all the tedious administrative work, was taking the Natural History Exhibition around photographic clubs and nature organisations and having it so well received by appreciative audiences. 

Equally important, however, was her full participation in every Club activity and venture to which she gave generously of her time.  Her contribution to the club will be sadly missed, but equally missed will be her presence at weekly meetings.

Both sides of Winifred’s family had a long and illustrious history in farming, particularly Clydesdale horse breeding, something she was extremely proud of.  She was regarded as the matriarch of the family, keeping  in touch with members here in the UK as well as those who in Australia and North America, and being involved in regular reunions. 

Winifred’s remarkable empathy with young people went far beyond her teaching background.  She was dedicated to the (Girl) Guide Movement, including being Brown Owl of the 1st Bishopton Brownie pack from 1949 until 1977 when she was the proud recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee Medal for her commitment to Guiding.  She subsequently held various administrative roles and in 2008 received the Guide Service Award for 50 years service within the Movement, one of the first in the country to do so. She was very modest about these awards, never broadcasting about them, but within herself she felt deeply honoured to have been recognised in these ways.

Having lived in Bishopton all her life, she had a keen interest in the local community and Bishopton Lawn Tennis Club may well not have survived, had it not been for her generosity.  In appreciation, the Club organises the annual Miss Brown Tournament, with trophies donated in her name. 

Despite the fact that at times in her life she suffered various medical problems, she never complained and simply carried on doing the things in life she enjoyed most.

She was a great lady and will be sadly missed by all who knew her.