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8 Thursday July 9, 2020 Eskdale & Liddesdale Advertiser www.eladvertiser.co.uk www.eladvertiser.co.uk Eskdale & Liddesdale Advertiser Thursday July 9, 2020 9

Bob: a Langholm luminary A mahoosive reduction!

Robert McLure Teamwork can

(1951-2020)
make a dream work

THE women’s team consisted both get a Douglas Hotel meal
BOB, or Bobby as he’s He was an extremely talented of Sarah Cutteridge, Vicky voucher.
known by his family, was painter and this was something Grieve, Kirsty Scott, Annette The men’s winner was Paul
born in Wigtownshire in he enjoyed right up until the Steadman, Pamela Stewart, Mitchell who has had to buy a
1951. end. Lara Porter, Anita Hogg, new belt to haud up his breeks,
He grew up in Glen Luce Most recently, his family and Donna Borthwick, Judith Scott, having lost over a whopping three
and New Luce and, after at- friends enjoyed his posts of a Fiona Patterson, Fiona Grant, and a half stone.
tending Stranraer High School, painting a day on Facebook Fiona Bell, Eileen Longworth The women’s winner was Kirsty
went to Glasgow University during lockdown. and Claire Richards-Dean. Scott with an amazing effort of
to study mathematics in 1969. Bobby learned to play bridge The men were myself, Allan just under two stones.
There were some other really
After graduation, he trained at university and this was a McVittie, Alan Wilson, Thomas significant weight losses within
Dobbie, Lloyd Kingstree, Paul
as a maths teacher at Jordanhill pastime he rekindled during Mitchell, Keith Scott, Kenny the teams but, because this was
College, which is where he his retirement, playing at Turk, James McVittie, Michael a team effort, it should be pointed
met Nancy who was a cousin Carlisle, Annan and Langholm Hogg and Gordon Stewart. out that everyone who took part
of one of his university friends. bridge clubs. At the final weigh-in the teams lost weight and raised some real
They were soon married and Card games were a big part had lost 28 stones and 8lbs, which money for this worthwhile charity
in July 1974 they moved to of McLure family life and is a phenomenal effort in anyone’s so well done every one of you.
Langholm and were blessed Nancy, Andrew and Rosemary book. Myself? I lost one and a half
with the birth of Andrew in have many happy memories This was correctly guessed by stone. I am happy with that but
1974 and Rosemary in 1976. of playing cards on camping Doris Mitchell and Sharon it’s still too heavy for horse riding
Bobby taught at Langholm holidays. Broganof Hawick, who both so it’s going to be a long winter
as I prepare for next year.
guessed bang on the money and
Academy for 10 years before Bobby loved the outdoors
moving to Annan Academy and spent many happy hours
where he was principal teacher in the garden and at his and
of mathematics for 23 years. Nancy’s allotment. Bob and Nancy enjoy Langholm Common Riding
He and Nancy retired in 2007 He loved hill-walking and Bob and Nancy with grandchildren Tom and Rachel with grandchildren Tom and Rachel
and they’ve been lucky to enjoyed many holidays with
spend many very happy years the Carlisle Walkers. Andrew
together, dedicating their time and Rosemary remember being
to their family, pastimes, hob- cajoled into many wet and
bies and travelling. long walks in the Lake District L to R: Paul Mitchell, Kirsty Scott, David McVittie, Gordon Stewart and Pamela Stewart
Theatre during their youth. DAVID McVittie writes: LIKE most of the country, if not and was inundated with fellow for snacks; that sort of thing.
Bob was very community- Bob’s daughter, Rosemary, recited the world, awoke on January 2 this year filled with my festive feeders who wanted to join There is a science behind it all
Bobby loved music and
theatre from a young age and minded and he enjoyed being this poem at his funeral usual annual enthusiasm for losing weight, coming, as it in and help raise money for this and if you are thinking “That
sounds good, I might give it a
involved with the Buccleuch
worthwhile cause.
usually does, after a fortnight of sheer gluttony.
this was his true passion. Centre in Langholm. . By the time we weighed in on go”, please read all the reports
He was an avid theatre-goer He attended a wide range of A fortnight when, because it is horses, I thought it best to start Monday, January 6 we had two on it before trying it.
as well as being a contributing concerts and events and Christmas, we think nothing of now and chip (who mentioned teams: male and female, consisting I found I was getting some ter-
musician, actor and director. became chairman of the man- having mince pies with full fat chips) chip away at it for the next of 25 members. rific results with this diet and,
Highlights included starring agement committee for three When I have fears cream for breakfast, washed down 20 months. International judging by the results coming in
roles in My Fair Lady and years. with a fizzy drink or, for the more With the decision made, I cast It was a truly international affair each week, everyone else had
Oliver! in Langholm; appear- by Noel Coward outrageous, a beer and thus kick- my mind back to the 2019 Sport with my coozeen Allan McVittie found a diet which suited them,
too.
ing at the Edinburgh Fringe Faith start yet another day when we Personality of the Year awards taking part in Picklescott, Together with the weight loss
Festival and, most recently, He had a strong faith and When I have fears, as Keats had fears, feel we are justified in eating the which had been on TV a few Yorkshire, my auld pal Judith we ran a competition to guess
weekly calorific equivalent of a
as director of numerous plays was an active member of small village in north Wales. days earlier. Scott doing her bit in Australia, the combined weight loss with a
There can be very few, if any,
and musicals for Langholm Langholm Parish Church as Bob with Alan Weatherstone, Marion Rodger and Nicole Weatherstone Of the moment I’ll cease to be We justify this, or certainly I of those who watched it who was coozeen Kenny Turk taking part prize of a meal voucher which
in LAODS’ ‘Me and My Girl’ in 1997
Amateur Operatic and an elder and choir member as I console myself with vanished years do, by telling ourselves things not deeply touched by the plight in Spain and my auld freend Keith was very kindly donated by Jason
Dramatic Society. well as being part of the wor- Remembered laughter, remembered tears, like “It’s Christmas” or “I’ll get of ex-Scotland and British Lion Scott taking part throu’ the tunnel Brockley of the Douglas Hotel.
We had a prize for the most
He was also a member of ship team. rid of this in the New Year” or rugby player Doddie Weir who in Hawick. weight lost by both male and
Langholm Flute Band and an Nancy, Andrew and And the peace of the changing sea. “the diet starts tomorrow”. was awarded the Helen Rollason There were no set rules on how female dieters and this was a meal
accomplished singer and Rosemary have received so Inevitably, the weeks wear on award. we had to lose the weight. It was voucher for the Crown Hotel,
speaker at events and concerts. many cards and messages in When I feel sad, as Keats felt sad and before we know it, instead of Inspiration entirely up to the individual but kindly donated by Hayley
we did have weigh-ins each week
He did an extremely good recent days and they have all having a beach body, we have a The determination and courage to keep an eye on progress. Evenden.
Rev I M Jolly. Bobby’s chil- commented on Bob’s kindness, That my life is so nearly done beach-ball body and console our- he has shown in the face of such The final weigh-in was on May There was, of course, some
selves with the thought that,
dren are grateful to him for great friendship and that, above It gives me comfort to dwell upon although we may be dragged out adversity by standing up and 1, giving us all four months to good-natured competition between
making music and theatre part all, he was a true gentleman. Remembered friends who are dead and gone to the open ocean by Greenpeace refusing to give in to Motor shed the pounds. the teams but ultimately our col-
lective aim was to lose weight
of their lives from a young Bob had a multitude of if we sunbathe, at least we won’t Neuron Disease has been an in- So, putting aside all the excuses and raise some money for the
age, with trips to Edinburgh friends, young and old, near And the jokes we had and the fun. freeze during the winter. spiration to us all and his continued of “I’m big boned”, “I carry it MND charity and this we did.
or Glasgow to see musicals and far. He will be much This year, however, was differ- fundraising for a truly horrible weel” etc, I opted for the Keto At the time of writing this the
and the ballet and opportunities missed. How happy they are I cannot know, ent. This year I decided I had to illness has been awe-inspiring. Diet. Just Giving page is currently
to raid his record collection, Last but not least, Bobby make a start on getting down my It had been in my mind to get This is where you use fat as sitting at £3,485 and is still open
prompting their love of the was a family man. He was a But happy am I who loved them so. weight. sponsored for the weight loss your energy source instead of car- to anyone who would like to
The Beatles and Elton John. wonderful husband to Nancy, This is because of a number of because this would encourage me bohydrate and eventually the body donate.
starts to burn fat instead of storing
It is under the heading Muckle
to do it and raise money for a
Art was another of Bob’s an amazing dad to Andrew factors. Health benefits aside, good cause so why not Doddie it. Weight Loss Challenge and the
passions. Once he retired, he and Rosemary and a very spe- it is my intention to ride the Weir’s charity My Name’5 This means you have a fat-rich link is
Common Riding next year and,
took up painting and enjoyed cial grandpa to Tom and as far as I am aware, no one is Doddie? diet and was right up my street as
being part of the art club in Rachel. They will all miss him Bob as Professor Higgins with Maureen Borthwick as Eliza in hiring out elephants. I floated the idea on that great it meant having fry-ups for break- https://www.justgiving.com/fund
Langholm. very much. the 1989 production of My Fair Lady So, with a weight limit on hired public service channel Facebook fast, cream in my coffee and salami raising/bigweightloss Doddie Weir’s Foundation will benefit from the sponsorship money