Elgin streets honour local teacher
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A WOMAN who helped thousands of Moray youngsters to cast off their armbands for good has had two streets named in her honour.
Jamieson Place and Jamieson Drive form a lasting tribute to swimming teacher Lily, who died four years ago today (Friday) at the age of 74.
Mrs Jamieson’s daughter, Lilian Lackie, visited Grampian Housing Association’s Waulkmill development this week to see the signage in place.
“She would be “tickled pink” to know that one road – never mind two – had been named in her memory,” Mrs Lackie said.
Born in Berwick-upon-Tweed, it was when barbed wire was removed from the beaches at the end of WWII that the young Lily first learned the skill, going on to become a competitive swimmer.
Later, after marrying Elgin man George Jamieson, they moved to Moray in 1956 and Lily began training in order to turn her hobby into a career.
She joined the Elgin Amateur Swimming Club and participated in competitive swimming, diving, synchro, survival and lifesaving.
Progressing over the years, she qualified as a swimming teacher, Amateur Swimming Association Examiner, Swimming Teachers Association Teacher and Examiner, as well as a Royal Life Saving Society Teacher and Examiner.
In 1964, aged 31, she joined the staff at the Munro Baths, formerly on Elgin’s Trinity Place, and retired 27 years later aged 58.
Mrs Lackie said her mother always considered herself lucky to have been able to earn a living doing something she loved.
A year after Mrs Jamieson’s death, her daughter approached Moray Council with a view to having a street named in her mum’s memory as a tribute to someone who made a considerable impact on the local community.
In August 2009, formal approval was received from the authority for Jamieson Place and Jamieson Drive to come into being.
Now with the signs in place, Mrs Lackie thanked the council and Grampian Housing Association for their assistance in the lasting tribute.
