19 Aug. 2021. The Museum of Banff has been gifted two new display cabinets in memory of a woman who was born and brought up in the town.

The family of the late Jean Nuttall (nee Donald) presented them during a special unveiling ceremony at the visitor attraction.

Mrs Nuttall's husband Geof was inspired to make the donation after being shown around the museum last year by family friend and Banff Preservation and Heritage Society member Alistair Mason.

The cabinets will display the collection of silver connected to the area.

Geof Nuttall with his daughters Claire and Celia at the ceremony along with Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire Andrew Simpson, Alistair Mason and Julian Watson from the Museum of Banff.

Mr Nuttall said at the ceremony: "Jean was born just along the road at Castle Street in one of the terraced houses at the end.

"Her father was a butcher, Joseph Donald, who had the shop on the corner opposite the old cemetery at High Shore.

"They lived in Duncan Street and she went to Banff Academy before going to secretarial college in Aberdeen, where she worked for many years.
Coming soon - a brand new way to keep up with all the news from the Grampian Online

"It was there that I met her when I got a new job as a graduate trainee at a large paper mill in Aberdeen and of course, as you did in those days, we met at a dance."

The couple married at Banff's Trinity Church and relocated to Buckinghamshire and then Grimsby. They had three daughters – Tanya, who passed away in 1990, and Claire and Celia.

Moves to Oxford and Harrogate followed and Mrs Nuttall later became a teacher.

Mr Nuttall added: "My daughters and I were up here last year and were so impressed by the museum that we conceived the idea of donating the gift.

"To me it is gratifying that you have accepted this gift and I hope it well help to develop this excellent museum.

"It's really a way of showing her love for Banff."


The new display cabinets are exhibiting the collection of silver connected to the area.

Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire Andrew Simpson attended the unveiling ceremony.

He said: "We do have an incredible heritage with something we can be proud of in our community.

"With these two cabinets it provides the opportunity to display some of the amazing silver and hopefully, in years to come, other exhibitions.

"The gift fits in so well with what we need to do in our community to celebrate our heritage and to share it with others."

The museum is run by Banff Preservation and Heritage Society in partnership with Aberdeenshire Council and is entirely staffed by volunteers.

The visitor attraction has also benefited from a grant from the Area Initiative Fund, which has allowed it to further develop its facilities.

By Kyle Ritchie - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published: 19:00, 19 August 2021
https://www.grampianonline.co.uk/news/family-provide-donation-to-museum-in-memory-of-banff-woman-248455/