In memoriam | Maureen Bold
Scottish Gymnastics is saddened to hear of the death of Maureen Bold.
Maureen was a long serving, highly respected member of Scottish Gymnastics and judged at many women’s artistic competitions.
Our thoughts are with Maureen’s family and friends.
Maureen’s funeral will be held at Warriston Lorimer Chapel in Edinburgh on Thursday 25 January at 3pm
Maggie Bisset founder of Meadowbank Gymnastics Club pays tribute to her friend Maureen Bold
It is with much sadness I am writing this. But I am pleased to be able to share how much joy and laughter Maureen brought to so many lives.
After the 1972 Olympics, Maureen brought her daughter, Tracy, to join Meadowbank Gymnastics Club. Within a few months Maureen became a coach helper in our club and was very popular with gymnasts and coaches who loved her caring nature and wonderful sense of humour. One of the kindest people you could ever meet. So many former gymnasts are always asking after her. She made such an impact on their lives.
In 1973 I persuaded Maureen to attend her first judging course which she passed with ease and this was the start of her judging career. She travelled all over Britain on a regular basis and was highly respected in the world of gymnastics. Her eldest daughter, Kim, also became involved in the club and became a judge. Kim not only judged in the UK but also abroad with Scottish Gymnastics national teams. To complete the family commitment to our club husband David became involved in fundraising. He even ran the Edinburgh Marathon along with other dads!
Maureen became a key figure on club training trips abroad including to the USA in the late 70s, Bulgaria in 1984 and France 1986. The gymnasts loved her sense of humour, kindness and how much she obviously cared for them. She was always the life and soul of the party! She loved to travel, especially to warm, sunny places.
Attending AGMs is not everyone’s idea of good use of your time, but Maureen, along with Maureen Anthony, regularly attended these on behalf of our club. However, she always said with a laugh “If it’s not finished by 4pm I’m going home”!
Maureen kept in touch with many of the judges from her era, the group meeting up regularly for a meal and catch up. But always at a restaurant with BYOB!
There are many stories involving Maureen over the years. Ina Drummond recalls sharing the overnight sleeper to London with Maureen who brought food and wine – who else can turn a train journey into a social event!
Another escapade occurred when David was driving Ina and Maureen to London for their national judging exam. A back wheel from their car was spotted passing them and they had to hire a car to complete the trip.
During the Bulgarian training camp in the early hours of the morning army tanks drove into the square outside the hotel, flood lights everywhere. They eventually left but a bit scary at the time! Again, in Bulgaria Maureen Anthony recalls how, on a trip to a monastery, they bought bread and honey for the gymnasts who were not enjoying the food provided.
Thank you, Maureen, for being part of our Meadowbank Gymnastics Club family and for welcoming my own family into yours. Christmas Eve at your home became our family tradition and we are so lucky to have had so many of them! And to have you in our lives.
Thank you for everything you did for Meadowbank always in your caring, considerate, supportive, amusing manner. Always with a smile and a twinkle in your eyes!
Our thoughts are with Tracy, David, Rosemary, Louis, Morven and Innes. Your family.
Maggie Bisset
Meadowbank Gymnastics Club
