A FORMER Musselburgh midwife who has devoted her life to caring and fundraising for others has been named the town’s Citizen of the Year.

Isa Wilson has lived in the town her entire life and spent more than 30 years working as a district nurse and midwife in the community.

This week, retired Isa, her husband Maurice and their family were guests at The Brunton as Musselburgh and Inveresk Community Council recognised her contribution to others over the years.

As well as working in nursing, Isa devoted years of her spare time to supporting the Musselburgh Festival.

Community council vice-chairwoman Betty Ramsden said: “She can be found cleaning tables, washing dishes or baking for funds for the festival. Isa is always involved and ready to help.” Mrs Ramsden said that as well as helping support the festival, Isa visited retired Queen’s Nurses across the Lothians and supported a retirement home for nurses.

She has also been president of the Union of Catholic Mothers.

Mrs Ramsden said: “I do not think Isa has enough days in the week for all the work she does. She is an inspiration to us all.” Following the ceremony at The Brunton on Tuesday evening, modest Isa played down her contribution.

She said: “There are many people who do so much more for the community. The community council themselves work tirelessly for the people of Musselburgh.

“I really have enjoyed every second of every day. It seems a very little I do. I thank the community council for this award.” The award ceremony also paid tribute to the town’s young people, with representatives of the sea cadets, army cadets, Boys’ Brigade and air cadets at the presentation.

Community council chairwoman Irene Tait said that many of the big events the group organised each year relied on the support of members of the youth organisations.

She said: “We could not organise big events in the community without these young people and we wanted to recognise their efforts.” Isa’s award was presented to her by Stewart MacKinnon, deputy headteacher of Musselburgh Grammar School, who is retiring this summer.

Mr MacKinnon said he had worked with youngsters for 30 years and hoped the lessons taught at the Grammar School in citizenship would help produce future recipients of the award.

He said: “I hope the young people we teach can be inspired by Isa’s contribution and they may one day sit on the stage where Isa sat.”