Former PE Teacher and sometime Wimbledon umpire, Ruth Barclay of Bournemouth, passed away on March 1 at the age of 87 years.

Born in Ilminster, Somerset, Ruth grew up in Chard with her two brothers, attending Shute school. She had a great love of horses which she used to advantage at school when she was put in charge of the stables. Quite a few lessons were missed because, as she told the teachers: “Sorry, but the horses are out again!” It was here that her aptitude for sport was recognised, leading her to train at Bedford College of Physical Education.

Her first teaching post was in Guernsey where she became interested in Scottish dancing. She went along to a local dance session where she fell in love, not only with the dancing, but also the piper, Bill Barclay.

Their relationship blossomed and in 1953 they were married, thus beginning nearly fifty years of love and companionship.

In that same year, they moved to Richmond Wood Road in Bournemouth and attended St.Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Exeter Road. Their five children were raised at Richmond Wood Road, where a New Forest pony named Dandy resided in a converted bicycle shed.

After her family, Ruth’s biggest loves were sport and dance, with badminton in the winter and tennis during the summer. She could be seen umpiring at televised matches on the Centre Court at Wimbledon for several years, and the children’s record collections were frequently raided for suitable music to accompany her keep fit routines. These were so successful that there was even a performance at the Royal Albert Hall. It was inevitable that the presidency of the Dorset Keep Fit Association followed, together with being Ladies Captain of both Queens Park and Meyrick Golf Clubs.

Her Christian faith was manifest in her many years at St.Andrew’s Church.

Sadly, her husband Bill passed away in 2003. Ruth helped to counter this blow by immersing herself in such activities as bridge, croquet and bowls. It was at the Bowls Club where Ruth encountered Mike, who became a good companion and who eventually helped support and care for her during her long illness. Her eldest granddaughter, Stacey, became Ruth’s full time carer during the latter part of her debilitating illness which enabled Ruth to spend more quality time in her own home.

Her funeral took place at Richmond Hill St.Andrew’s URC on March 16.