Banffshire Journal
A BANFF institution has appointed the first woman president in its 135-year history.
Debbie Wilson, a well-known Rotarian and criminal defence solicitor in the town, was elected to the position at The Town and County Club’s recent annual general meeting.
It is the eighth oldest private members club in Scotland, established in 1881.
Ms Wilson told the Banffshire Journal: “It is a great privilege and honour to have been elected president of The Town and County Club of Banff.
“Being the first person of the female persuasion to have been so elected, makes this a particularly unique occasion.
“I would like to express my deep gratitude to the previous office bearers and committees, particularly Ian Cameron, Frances McKay and June Masson for their efforts in bringing the club forward into the 21st century.”
She was born in Glasgow and brought up in Dunoon on the banks of the Firth of Clyde.
Graduating from Aberdeen University with a degree in law, she followed a career spanning local government and the Procurator Fiscal Service, before moving into private practice.
She added: “I have worked and lived all over Scotland, from Paisley to Lerwick, Stornoway to Peterhead, before finally opening my own office in Banff in 2003.
“I deal with all types of criminal defence cases, focussing on criminal court representation, predominantly Legal Aid.
“Having worked from this part of Aberdeenshire for many years, I decided to move and settle in Banff with my family of one son and a daughter, now in their twenties.
“I have been a member of the Banff Town and County Club for approximately 15 years and a regular user since moving to Banff in 2009.”
Regarding her own personal interests, she dabbles in crafting, is an active Rotarian and thoroughly enjoys musical events of all description.
Each year, along with nine other women, she mentors 100 female teenagers on a residential leadership skills activity week.
“The election to president of Banff Town and County Club is a quite different challenge as well as an honour,” she added.
“My aim is to carry-on the sterling work of predecessors, and create a ‘home from home’ for members and guests.
“That too will be challenging as improvement works are desperately required to maintain the club’s building in Boyndie Street, a listed building, and help it be a place befitting the home to such an institution.”
The Banff Town and County Club has been at 11 Boyndie Street since 1884 and the building dates from 1771.
It was the home of George Robinson and his wife Bathia (née Garden) daughter of a Banff merchant.
George Robinson, son of George Robertson of Inverbervie, had gone to Nottingham and adopted the name Robinson due to the deep anti-Scottish sentiment there at the time.
On the first floor in the former drawing room, there is a rose and a thistle carved either side of the chimneypiece, in recognition of their own Scottish and English alliance.
Ms Wilson added: “A listed building, deserves the respect, care and attention it receives from our members, who support our fundraising efforts to help maintain and improve the fabric of the building, often digging into their own pockets to do so.”
The club boasts two snooker rooms; bowling green; bar; lounge; a private reading room, as well as the Ingle Neuk room for private dining, through arrangement with the Steward John Haefner. Members also enjoy outstanding Sunday lunches there monthly.
Ms Wilson said: “My aspirations are to maintain and improve the safe, convivial atmosphere, provide an opportunity for members and guests to meet and make friends and new acquaintances in elegant surroundings.
“I intend to continue with the improvements to the fabric of the building, made by the outgoing office-bearers and by those who have gone before them.”
