Reunited at Peffermill: Honouring the Scottish women behind the 1975 World Championship

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The Hockey Museum » 2025 News Items » Reunited at Peffermill: Honouring the Scottish women behind the 1975 World Championship

August 21, 2025

A group of elderly spectators, including some in wheelchairs, enjoying a hockey match at an outdoor stadium. One person stands behind a wheelchair, resting a hand on the occupant, while others sit on blue seats along a red railing. The blue hockey field and players are visible in the background, with trees and a cloudy sky completing the scene.

On a sunny Saturday in July, contributors to the success of the eleventh International Federation of Women’s Hockey Associations (IFWHA) Conference and World Championship attended the Scotland vs France women’s hockey international match at Peffermill. 50 years after the 1975 Edinburgh event, the spectators included 10 members of the 1975 Organising Committee, eight members of the then Scottish hockey team and several guests, including the President and Chair of Scottish Hockey. The reunion was organised by Evlyn Raistrick of the Scottish Hockey Heritage Group (SHHG) working with Scottish Hockey.

50 years on from the matches held at Peffermill and Meadowbank Stadium for the World Championship, it was a very different Peffermill and a very different game of hockey. From reserved seating in the top row, there was much chat among attendees about the different rules and style of play, and quite a few coaching comments handed out!

Former Scotland players and members of the Organising Committee from 1975 take in a match at Peffermill in Edinburgh 50 years on from the IFWHA World Championship.

Two elderly women, one standing and one seated in a wheelchair, smiling outside a modern building with large windows. The standing woman wears a floral blouse and blue cardigan, while the seated woman is dressed in a blue jacket and colorful scarf. The background features a sports field with a blue hockey pitch reflected in the glass.

Scottish Women’s Hockey Association past President Wendy McLean (standing) with Joan Henderson (Scotland player 1954-1958) who at 93 was the eldest attendee.

At the end of the match, Scotland coach Chris Duncan invited Rae Nicholson to present honours caps to the newly capped Scottish players. Rae had been the Scotland team captain in 1975 and it made for a lovely photo opportunity. Scottish Hockey staff were on hand to ensure that all the spectators were informed of those attending and the history of the Edinburgh world tournament.

Inside Peffermill after the match a film of the 1975 event was shown, as was an exhibition table with memorabilia from the event. Jenny Grassick (Chair of the SHHG), Martin Shepherdson (Scottish Hockey Chair), Rae Nicholson and Kit Gow, who had overseen all technical site preparation at Peffermill, spoke briefly of their involvement in the event.

Scottish Hockey Heritage Group | Significance of the 1975 reunion

A group of elderly women standing together in front of a dark green "The University of Edinburgh Sport" backdrop, celebrating an event with a cake that reads "100 Years Edinburgh." They are dressed in colorful outfits, with some wearing blazers adorned with pins. A table in front of them holds the cake, books, pamphlets, a pink cloth, and "100 Years" signs.

Nine members of the Scottish Women’s Hockey Association Organising Committee.
From left to right: Jennifer Munro; Sheila Hogg; Midge Miller; Evlyn Raistrick; Wendy McLean; Joyce Flannigan; Elaine Turner; Kit Gow; Liz Simpson.

The 1975 players then departed to The Scholar, Pollock Halls (a hotel) to enjoy a long lunch and the sharing of memories and memorabilia. A light lunch was served at Peffermill to the members of the Organising Committee and guests – which also turned out to be a long lunch, with similar sharing of memories.

Tao MacLeod of the multimedia sports magazine Half Court Press then interviewed Wendy McLean, Eugene Connelly, Rae Nicholson and Kit Gow. These interviews can be found on the SHHG website and give a wonderful insight into their personal recollections.

Scottish Hockey Heritage Group | Oral History

Organising Committee for the 1975 IFWHA Conference and World Championship

Jennifer Munro – 1975 East President; liaison to the 1975 Scottish Women’s team manager.
Wendy McLean – in charge of visitors. Thereafter, Scottish Women’s Hockey Association President, 1983-89; Scottish Hockey Union (SHU) first President, 1989-1990; Chair of the Great Britain Women’s Hockey Olympic Committee, 1986-1996; Great Britain Olympic Hockey Board.
Kit Gow – in charge of site management at Peffermill; Scotland international player.
Liz Simpson – in charge of the tournament village at Pollock Halls.
Elaine Turner – in charge of the official programme.
Evlyn Raistrick – in charge of tickets; SHU Chair, 1992-96.
Joyce Flannigan – in charge of ball girls.
Sheila Hogg – in charge of South District tours.
Midge Miller – in charge of North / Aberdeen tours; author of the 1975 cookbook.
Patrick Skene – in charge of transport.