RIP Gwen Simpson

Gwen first came down to Essex Ladies Athletics Club at Ashton Playing Fields in 1973 as a parent with her daughter Vanessa, who had shown a talent for throwing a rounders ball, and met Throws Coach Alan Carrington. This led to Vanessa learning how to throw the javelin, discus and shot put, and Gwen and her husband Dennis becoming regular supporters at every weekend club competition, helping out as un-examined field judges whenever events were short.

Over the next thirty years Gwen gradually became more involved in the club with fundraising events, running the canteen and then becoming a Throws Assistant Club Coach in 1981. Working alongside Alan Carrington she gradually developed more confidence and experience and eventually became a Grade 1 Throws Club Coach in her own right in 1983. At Ashton Playing Fields Gwen also worked alongside Woodford Green’s Ron Bowden for many happy years involved in the early development of many throwers who attained National, County, All England Schools and paralympic success.

Some of the throws team competing in 1979

From supporting the team at events and helping fundraising Gwen showed enthusiasm for all things “Essex Ladies” and embarked on her Grade 4 Field Events judging exams in 1979 and finally became a qualified Field Events judge and Field referee in 1986 - “Not bad for someone who left school at 14 without any qualifications” she would say.

Gwen with her girls and boys at Ashton 1983

Her involvement in Essex Ladies continued as she became a Committee Member from 1987 and then in 1988 for her “dedication and long service” she was made President of Essex Ladies Athletics Club. It was one of her proudest lifetime moments - she so loved representing the club with her energy and enthusiasm and was always keen to promote the achievements of all the athletes in the club.

In the following years she continued her coaching and officiating and helped many young girls, and boys, to learn how to throw and all this, at the time, was done on a voluntary basis, 3 times a week plus competitions at the weekends.

In 1997 she was elected as a Lifetime Member of Essex Ladies A.C for her “exceptional and meritorious services” – an award she was so very proud of, not just for the personal recognition but for all the achievements she had helped ‘her throwers attain over the years.

Looking back, one of the loveliest things she always talked about was that so many of her athletes kept in contact with her for many, many years after they’d left the club, writing to her about their lives, travels, university, their children, weddings and other sporting achievements – lifelong friendships she treasured.

She died peacefully at home on February 27th 2026. She was 98.