Dunedin Amateur Weightlifting Club Members

Comment

George Ramsay

Spain + UK

Thank you to George Ramsay, the weightlifter on the right in Photo 1 above, for sending me a copy of the photo..

George wrote:

Photo

Dunedin Amateur Weightlifting Club

"Here is a photo of four people outside the Dunedin Amateur Weightlifting Club. The club was based in The Meadows, between the tennis courts and the bowling green."

The Meadows

"In the late-1950s and early-1960's, when you entered the East Meadows from Boroughloch, the tennis courts were situated on the right-hand-side

Over to the left, was a single storey concrete building, behind that were bowling greens then a children's play area. The concrete building was the home of the Dunedin Amateur Weightlifting Club, rented from the council and run by Al Strachan."

The Weightlifting Club

"The background of this photo looks as if it could be anywhere, but in fact it is a concrete wall of the club, an old council de-contamination centre.

Inside, the club was basic with a capital 'B':

- a large training area

- a changing room, complete with W

- a shower room housing two cold showers.

Training nights were; Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Weightlifting competitions were always hosted on a Sunday.

- In winter the temperature inside equaled that outside.

- During summer, if the sun shone it was like training in a large storage radiator, as the concrete held the heat."

Club Members

"Club members fell into several groups:

- Competitive weight lifters - involved in the 3 Olympic Lifts: Press, Snatch, Clean & Jerk. ( The Press no longer features in competitive weightlifting events.)

- Strength athletes competing in Bench, Press, Squat and Deadlift.

- Body builders, using weights to stay fit or for, rehabilitation after an injury.

Sean Connery (Jimmy Bond) trained at the Dunedin before making his mark in the cinema. Unfortunately that was before my time, but a few of the guys that trained with him were still memberswhen I was a member.

Norman Rough (Norrie) also roughed it with us, and went on to win the 'Mr Scotland' bodybuilding title.

Derek Gillies (in the photo above) was so strong he could bend an old penny between his two first fingers using his thumb. He did not do it often as his thumb nail went black and fell off."

George Ramsay, Spain + UK: September 29 (email) + October 3 (2 emails), 2014

Comment

Adam Glass

Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland

Thank you to Adam Glass for sending Photos 2 and 3 above to me

Adam wrote:

Photo

Weightlifters

"This photo was taken at Dunedin, but several of those present were not from Edinburgh. I've not attempted to identify all the men, just in case of error, but I've given some of the names. I suspect other viewers may be able to fill in more detail.

- Al Srachan is the man with the pipe.

- John Murray, who later started his own club in Prestonpans is standing next to Al, to the right.

- Derek Gillies (nickname Basher) with specs is 2nd from the right.

- John Murray and Derek Gillies were both multiple Scottish Champions during the 1960s.

- George Dent with specs is 3rd from the right, back row.

- Andy Boyle is front right.

I believe that Watty Telfer, club secretary, and Stan Grierson are also in the photograph. Stan (Edinburgh University, later RAF) was a member of air crew for Vulcan bomber.

Photo

Derek Gillies

"This is a photo of Derek Gillies doing the Crucifix with 56lb weights.

Derek (from Penicuik) was an army Physical Training Instructor. He used to babysit for Nik Stuart, who was the British Gymnastic Champion for 8 consecutive years.

Derek was also an all round strength athlete. He competed in the British Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh in 1970. He set many records in the 44 recognised lifts of his period.

Dunedin Amateur Weightlifting Club

Club Closure

"Dunedin closed when the gym at Meadowbank opened prior to the British Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh in 1970."

Adam Glass, Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland: October 30, 2014