Margaret Cook takes part in It's My Life

Feb 8 2013 by Ross Dunn, Irvine Herald

Margaret Cook has been Irvine Lasses Burns Club’s secretary for 10 years and a primary teacher for over 40 years.

Here she tells us about her life.

Why do you do what you do?

I discovered Burns when I studied him as part of my Highers when I was at school and I instantly fell in love with his work.

I joined the Burns club in 1976 and I’ve been involved ever since.

Do you have a best friend?

I have a lot of friends.

I have two friends that gave birth at the same time I was giving birth to my son – and 51 years on we’re still very good friends.

I’m also still very friendly with eight girls I went to school with at Irvine Royal in 1950, and we meet every two months for lunch.

I don’t have a best friend but I’m very lucky to have lots of friends in my life.

What three items would you take to a desert island?

I would take my big fluffy feather pillow because I wouldn’t get to sleep without it.

I’d also take a book of puzzles because I love crosswords and Sudoku.

My final and third item would be a solar powered mobile phone so I could talk to everyone back home.

Who is your ideal dinner guest?

I would’ve loved to have had the Queen Mother over for dinner.

I read her book and I really admire her and everything she had to go through in the two World Wars.

That being said, I probably would love to have any member of the Royal family over for dinner – they’re all fascinating!

Do you have any regrets?

My only regret is not learning a musical instrument. I’m not a singer and I think learning to play an instrument would’ve been an asset during my time as a primary teacher.

If I had to pick an instrument, it would’ve been the piano – it’s a magnificent instrument.

Who has been your greatest influence?

My parents were fantastic, they made sure my brother and I had the best start in life.

My primary teachers were also wonderful, and they were so great they inspired me to go on to be a primary teacher.

Do you have a favourite song/poem?

That’s a really tough question. I’m very patriotic and I love hearing the Flower of Scotland being sung at international matches.

By the same token I also love the song Caledonia.

My favourite poem, funnily enough, isn’t a Burns one – it’s The Listeners by Walter de la Mare.

My favourite Robert Burns poem is Tam O’Shanter.