Hopeman youngsters create guard of honour for local champion
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
CHILDREN from a Moray village formed a guard of honour in tribute to a woman who gave so much to their community.
Clutching their scooters and skate boards, youngsters packed Hopeman Skate Park as the funeral procession for Ann Brown passed by.
Ann and her husband Terry were the driving force behind the facility's creation and, along with members of the Community Association, went on to raise around £240,000 for equipment and upgrades.
Mr Brown said he was deeply humbled by the thoughtful gesture of local young people. "It was incredibly moving," he said, "I get emotional just thinking about it."
As well as her devotion to the skate park, Ann, who was 77, was a loyal fundraiser for the Friends of Anchor – a charity which supports oncology and haematology patients in the north-east.
She was a member of Hopeman's floral committee, a leading light in the drive to keep Hopeman's beaches free from dog fouling and was heavily involved in fundraising for the Memorial Hall and pavilion.
Ann was born in London and later moved to Gloucestershire where she met and married Terry. Her father was a cartographer and Ann followed in his footsteps into a profession she loved.
Terry's job in the Navy saw them live in numerous locations and Ann was a devoted mother to Loretta and Andrew and later a proud grandmother to Ryan and Rebecca.
In the 1980s, the couple moved to Aberdeen and enjoyed regular caravan holidays along the north-east coast. It was during one such trip, at the turn of the millennium, that they stumbled across Hopeman.
"We went down Harbour Street, turned left into the caravan park and said, 'This is it'," Mr Brown said.
In 2003 the couple noted recreational facilities for young people were lacking and formed a committee to investigate what could be done.
The skate park was built in stages from 2004 onwards and was officially opened by Prince Andrew. Today, membership stands at 1400.
Community Association chairman Dennis Slater said: "There were no half-measures with Ann – do your best and go for the best.
"Since day one, Terry and Ann spent every day visiting the park – talking and educating the kids on how to look after their skate park and ensuring it was clean and tidy and safe for use.
"It was remarkable to witness the relationship she had with the children and the high degree of respect they gave to Ann and Terry."
Mr Slater described Ann as the "engine" behind so much good and said the village was mourning the loss of a "great ambassador".
