A heartwarming tribute to a beloved Dumfries woman has taken the form of a children's book, igniting a spark of interest in the Scots language among young readers.
The book, titled 'The Sherrets' Sma Haddin', is a labor of love dedicated to the memory of Lois Sherret, a 40-year-old who lost her battle with bile duct cancer in April 2022. Her friend and author, Claire Berridge, made a promise while Lois was undergoing treatment at the Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary - a promise to write a book celebrating Lois' life and her deep love for animals.
Three years later, Claire has fulfilled that promise, and the result is a heartwarming tale that captures the essence of Lois and her husband Graham's dream of starting a small farm in the countryside. But here's where it gets controversial... or at least, thought-provoking. Lois' rare form of cancer often presents with symptoms that can be easily overlooked in the early stages, which is a crucial aspect that the book aims to bring to light.
In Claire's words, ''Lois was a people person, always bringing a smile to everyone's face. She and I used to work as waitresses at Burns Supper events, and her passion for the Scots language was infectious. She believed in extending kindness, respect, and understanding to all living creatures, and that's a message we want to share with the younger generation.''
The Lois Sherret Trust, established in her memory, is now taking this mission further. Claire, a primary school teacher, is developing an ambitious plan to bring the Scots language and animal welfare education to schools across Dumfries and Galloway. She explained, ''We're offering free educational workshops and hands-on animal experiences to primary schools. School trips can be costly, so we're thrilled to be able to provide this opportunity at no charge.''
And this is the part most people miss: Claire believes that Lois, a true animal lover at heart, would be incredibly proud of this initiative. ''I think she'd be amazed at what we've achieved, and the impact it could have on young minds,'' she added.
So, what do you think? Is this a beautiful way to honor Lois' memory and promote a unique aspect of Scottish culture? Or do you see it as a mere gesture? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
