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Jubilee for Stranraer Queen

Marie Paterson was only 19 years of age when she was crowned Stranraer Coronation Queen. The year was, of course, 1952 and the celebration was part of a series of civic events designed to commemorate the accession of the new Queen.

Now, half-a-century later, the “Free Press” has managed to track down the lady in question.

Still an avid “Free Press” reader, Marie gets the paper sent to her home in England.

And — although she does not know it yet — as part of a special Jubilee surprise set up by her son Glen, Marie will travel to Stranraer next week for a nostalgic return to the area in which she grew up.

Marie now lives in Nottingham, from where son Glen told the “Free Press” “My mum has long treasured the honour of being Stranraer’s Coronation Queen.

“Along with the title, she was presented with a silk sash and a silver tiara by the gala judge Millar Wilson.

“She even wore the tiara with pride on the day she married my father Keith Clayton Readyhoof in 1955 at the Old Parish Church in Stranraer”.