In Memoriam: Noel Grimshaw

It is with deep regret that BIS must inform members that Noel Grimshaw, one of our long-serving officials, has passed away.

Noel had been suffering from dementia for a few years, but his passing was as the result of a heart attack on Tuesday 17th June.

Many of you will have known Noel as one of our international Synchronized Skating and national Ice Dance judges, but may not have been aware that he spent many years as the head Ice Dance coach in Murrayfield rink in Edinburgh from 1963 to 1979. In his role there, he drove the development of ice dance in Scotland and was the coach of a number of our current senior ice dance officials. For many years he taught alongside his wife Nicky with whom he had skated during his time in Manchester. After a number of years, Nicky moved from coaching skating into the world of education and eventually became the headmistress of a local Edinburgh primary school.

Noel originally hailed from Manchester and passed his Gold Ice Dance test with the world famous ice dance coach Joan Slater. Noel always took some time each year to spend with Joan, updating his knowledge so that he could then pass this on to his pupils.

Noel was a huge contributor to Murrayfield Ice Skating Club, which was the oldest skating club in Scotland, throughout his coaching career, during his time as a skating official, and after his retirement.

When Precision Skating first became recognised as a competitive discipline, Noel was one of the first judges involved in this and went on to become a championship judge. He was a great supporter of Synchronized Skating and judged many international and championship events for Great Britain.

When Noel decided to move away from coaching and into the world of officiating, he continued to contribute to the wider sporting community through his work with West Fife Council in Sports Development.

Noel will be missed by the many friends he made around the world during his time as a skating official and by his former colleagues, family and pupils.

In 2018, Noel was recognised for his lifetime contribution to ice skating.