Remembering Gwen Mayor
The whole of Scotland was in shock 30 years ago today, as 15 children and their teacher were massacred in the school gym at Dunblane Primary. But the loss was particularly felt by members of FVO, as the teacher, Gwen Mayor, was one of our own.
Gareth Bryan-Jones, who was a family friend and is a key member of FVO recollects “Gwen was a recreational orienteer, supporting her daughters Esther and Debbie on String and White courses, although her husband Rod was much more competitive. However Gwen made a big contribution to the club as one of a small team who organised social activities, and then, as now, social activities were one of the ways friendships and team spirit were stimulated.
We were reminded that at one FVO dance, while dancing with Fraser Purves, Gwen fell and broke her wrist. However, most socials were much happier, including FVO squash nights, swimming galas at the Uni and Burns suppers to attract members to attend the AGM.”
Gwen took her injury in good spirit, and even wrote a poem remembering the night. Tragically, this was published in Forth Columnist after her death, but it's repeated below:
Gi's a Break
(or how a young man swept a (not so young) woman off her feet!
Some folks break limbs while orienteering.
Others while out mountaineering.
Scuba diving, paragliding,
pot-holing or bare-back riding -
sports of daring, skill and chance -
NOT Me, I broke mine at a dance!
The slippy floor, the high-heeled shoes.
The lack of space, surfeit of booze!
The reason doesn't really matter
Though most folks claim it was the latter!
At “one pot” meals I am adept.
You'll not believe the ways I've slept!
Folks have been kind – I'm so impressed
With offers to help me get dressed
But now I am no longer plastered
And all these skills that I have mastered
Will surely not got to waste
If In future I'm encased.
At next year's dance I may be nervous,
But only if my partner's PURVES!
Gareth continues “Gwen also played a big part in the organisation of the Tayside 85 six-day event. Sue Harvey was the coordinator and Gwen acted as secretary supporting Sue. Rod, and Charles Howie, organised the campsite at Faskally, supported by an embryonic STAG and Terry O’Brien.
We have many happy memories of times with Gwen and her family and want to keep her memory alive.”
Gwen's sacrifice was eventually recognised in 2024, as she was one of the recipients of the Elizabeth Emblem, named in memory of HM Queen Elizabeth. The award is made to public servants who are killed in the line of duty, or as a result of terrorist activity.
The award was collected by Rod, who now lives in Cyprus and he said "We always believed her actions that day deserved more recognition. "You would have to have known Gwen to know that she would have done whatever trying to protect the children in her care.
She paid the ultimate price for that commitment. Finally, we now feel that she has been honoured for what happened that day. School teaching was her life, and she looked at the children as her own if you would,"
Scottish Orienteering paid an earlier tribute, and the Scottish W21 championship trophy is named in her honour.