Burghead's Angela Oatridge – a Moray tribute
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As anyone who knew her would agree, Angela Oatridge was a force to be reckoned with.
She approached any challenge with humour, warmth and a steely determination to succeed.
When, in the 1960s, a tearful friend complained about how a male instructor had shouted at her while she was learning to drive, an outraged Angela became the first female driving instructor in the country and set up the Ladies School of Driving, with only female instructors and learners.
In the press she was quoted at the time as saying that, "women are basically better than men at most things", leading to some controversy and a string of radio and TV appearances. She also went on to write a series of books on learning to drive.
Angela and Derek retired to Burghead 30 years ago to be close to family.
Derek had enjoyed a career in the RAF which had taken the family to various countries, including Ceylon, Malaysia, and Germany, but they both had always had a deep love of North East Scotland after a posting in Aberdeen in the 1970s.
Angela was a poet, a public speaker, a campaigner and, for many years, the Burghead correspondent for The Northern Scot.
In 1996, when a commentator in a rival newspaper wrote that "Burghead doesn’t have a lot to offer at the best of times", Angela determined to rectify the village's image, inaugurating 'Burghead in Bloom' and steering it to numerous awards for its floral displays.
Angela was also secretary of the Burghead and Hopeman Heritage Group and was renowned for her skill in attracting good speakers and organising interesting outings.
In addition, she also volunteered and campaigned for various good causes including Dr Gray’s Hospital and SSAFA, the armed forces charity.
A keen caravanner, Angela continued to participate in rallies after Derek died in 2001, going on right into her eighties.
Until her illness she was actively involved in the BALL Club, Moray Jazz Club, the University of the Third Age, Burghead Free Church and Sing Moray at Gordonstoun, and was still taking up speaking engagements around Moray.
Sadly, Angela died peacefully in her sleep at the age of 90 on Friday, following a short illness.
She spent her last days at home, looking out over the Moray Firth, in the care of her family.
Angela’s life is celebrated by her three children, Nicholas, Julie and Darryl and her seven grandchildren, Freddie, Phoebe, Daryll, Forest, Korsan, Oberon and Ophelia.
A service will be held at the Meadow Hillock Funeral Chapel on St Aethan`s Road, Burghead, on Saturday, September 23, from 2pm.
All welcome.
