13.10.1925 – 23.06.2023

By Di Giles, friend and Gloucester hockey.

The loss of Shelagh Davson in October 2023 at age 98 was mourned by many who had had the benefit of working with her, been coached by her, or just considered her a friend. People from as far afield as France and the USA, as well as from across the UK sent messages of condolence and remembered her with so much affection. This shows the calibre of the person she was.

Shelagh was born in Burma of service parents in October 1925 moving to Bedford with her brother and three sisters at the age of three. Educated at Bedford High School, she went on to Bedford Physical Education College, one of the top women’s sports colleges of the day. She progressed to Manchester Royal Infirmary to study physiotherapy, however Shelagh never practised because teaching was her determined aim.

Her first teaching post was at Lydney Grammar School from where she moved to Charlton Park School in Cheltenham. Her next move was to Bishop’s Cleeve Secondary Modern School (now Cleeve School), and finally to Cheltenham Ladies College in 1959. She remained there until 1987, starting in the Physical Education department and finishing as Senior Mistress with responsibility for fifteen college houses. It was her vocation; she loved teaching and coaching, knew the names of all the pupils and had an excellent rapport with them.

Shelagh was herself a skilled sportswoman. She enjoyed playing hockey, tennis and cricket as well as swimming and walking. While never reaching the representative heights of her life-long friend, Mary Eyre, she nonetheless will have undoubtedly influenced just as many young players with her teaching, coaching and wise counsel. Her ability to encourage and develop the skills of players in several sports was her greatest asset. Shelagh and Mary’s friendship started back in the early years of playing at the East Gloucester Club and they were a formidable pairing on and off the pitch until Mary’s death in 2013. In their later years, they were known affectionately by all as the ‘old ladies’.

A full record of her achievements while at the East Gloucester Club can be found on their website.

As well as her coaching credentials, Shelagh achieved ‘A’ umpire status officiating at international matches, especially enjoying the atmosphere of games at Wembley stadium. On the administrative side she was Secretary and President of the Gloucestershire Hockey Association and ran the junior section for many years. Mary and Shelagh’s names were synonymous with hockey in Gloucestershire and particularly at the East Gloucestershire Club where Shelagh continued supporting the junior section until a very few years ago.

During her long life, Shelagh was also a member of The Red Cross and Civil Defence and worshipped regularly at St Mary’s Church in Prestbury until Covid and her age curtailed her attendance.

Obituary written from notes provided by Di Giles.

A personal tribute to Shelagh Davson

By Jan Burrows, former Great Britain, England, and Gloucester player.

My first memory of Shelagh is from the 1960s. She was a frequent visitor to my school and I watched her practise hockey for hours with Mary Eyre, perfecting the then innovative hand-stop corners and becoming a highly effective scoring partnership. As my love of hockey grew, Shelagh was a constant encouraging presence from club level onwards. In 1970 my first teaching position was as a member of Shelagh’s PE department at Cheltenham Ladies College. She was an excellent mentor for a ‘raw recruit’; she gave firm guidelines but was always empathetic and fair. She provided flexibility and encouragement to members of her department enabling them to pursue their personal development and ambitions.

Shelagh was a very private person and rarely spoke about her personal challenges. She cared for her elderly mother and uncle in her home, held a very responsible full-time job and fulfilled her numerous hockey and other commitments. She always focused on others and was probably one of the most selfless and kind individuals that l have had the privilege to know.

A tribute to Shelagh Davson from Cheltenham Ladies’ College Guild Magazine Autumn 2023

View this tribute from Cheltenham Ladies’ College: A tribute to Shelagh Davson – Cheltenham Ladies College Guild Magazine Autumn 2023.