THE KEITH WOMAN at the head of Moray’s internationally acclaimed textile centre has been honoured with an MBE.
Former local councillor Linda Gorn, 67, has been named in the Queen’s New Year Honours for her services to the local economy.
Mrs Gorn is the voluntary chairwoman of the Keith Kilt and Textile Centre, a training establishment that has been attracted students from around the world. The centre opened in 1994 with the aim of preserving traditional skills developed by generations of mill workers.
Linda has been involved with the centre for the last 15 years – and has been at its head for the past seven. She oversaw the move of the centre to larger premises on Mid Street, allowing a great more space in which its students could work as they are guided towards an SQA qualification.
“It has been good to see the school thrive,” Mrs Gorn said, adding: “We have people lined up to attend courses for the next two years.”
The school is self-funded with any profits being plunged back into improving the school and the services it offers. On her MBE, Linda said: “It is good to be recognised but it is more important that the business as a whole is praised.
“I’m absolutely delighted the award was for services to the local economy.”
Another Moray recipient on the honours list this year is former Gordonstoun teacher and now charity worker on behalf of the disabled, Ben Goss.
Mr Goss had worked at the school for over 30 years as an economics and business teacher, taking on the additional role of coach for the school’s rugby team as well as school chaplain.
Mr Goss, who will be awarded an OBE, said: “This is the kind of thing you do not imagine happens to ordinary people like me – but I have developed a good network of people to help me who have all seemed to get involved.”