Team Norwood Reunite Author Gina With Long-lost Book

There were tears of joy at Norwood this May when Resident Gina was handed a copy of the long-lost book she penned.

Colleagues have been searching for the book ‘Recollections of Neilston’ for over four years after chatting to Gina, 93, about writing it.

They had no luck until Lynne Dawson, the Project Officer at Barrhead Foundry Library, paid Norwood a visit and then located the book in the vaults.

When she handed it over to thrilled Gina – whose full name is Georgina Henderson – there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

Gina said: “I want to say a big thank you to everyone involved for finding this copy, which I will treasure.

“So many people in Neilston don’t realise the interesting history. I spend many years putting together this book – it’s really quite touching to see it again after all these years.

“It’s brought back some great memories.”

Gina, who worked as a social worker, was always fascinated by the history of her hometown.

Her interest was sparked on Sunday walks she and her father shared when she was a child.

He’d point out all Neilston’s landmarks during the family strolls and speak in-depth about the town.

For Lynne, it was fantastic to reunite Gina with her book.

Lynne said: I was very thankful to have the opportunity to meet Gina, it was such a lovely experience, and it warmed my heart to see how delighted she was with the book!

“I hope Gina enjoys reminiscing and sharing her story with Colleagues and Residents.”

Customer Relations Manager Paul Lawson said that Gina had recalled how it took almost 30 years to research the book.

Despite working so hard on it, the big-hearted author donated all the profits to a local charity.

Paul said: “Gina really is a remarkable lady, and we are very proud of her.

“We are very grateful to Lynne at Barrhead Library for finding her book.

“Gina had a tear in her eye when she was presented with it, and she will take great pride in showing it off to her friends at Norwood and family.”