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A Hard Act to Follow
Playwright, historian, author, teacher, headteacher and Sporting Memories volunteer - Gerry Docherty was all of those things and much more.
Gerry passed earlier in June leaving a huge legacy of humour, warmth, knowledge and compassion across a wide swathe of the Scottish cultural landscape.
First and foremost, though Gerry was a family man, married to Joan and with children Louise and Shaun and of course, his grandson Seamus.
During his education years he was an inspiration to many of his pupils making them into theatre stars. One of his many historic productions was Czechmate which was first performed as an end of year school production. The play was so well received it went on to be performed at the MacRobert Theatre in Stirling followed with a tour of a few Highland schools before finishing at Eden Court Theatre, Inverness. The following year the play performed to critical acclaim at the Edinburgh Fringe.
How Gerry also found time to meticulously research then co-author the thought-provoking book “Hidden History” is quite astounding considering all his other interests.
But sport was never far from Gerry’s heart. He was an avid Hibs fan and indeed co-authored the centenary book charting the club’s history “100 Years of Hibs 1875 – 1975”. So, when we were requested to launch a new Sporting Memories Club in Alloa, Clackmannanshire, at the Hawkhill Centre in 2020, the manager said: “I know just the chap to be the facilitator”. The chap turned out to be Gerry Docherty. The club was so lucky to have Gerry.
The final words go to Jim Purvis, the club co-ordinator who said: “I'd like to say what a warm, witty and friendly guy Gerry was. All were made most welcome at the group and he had a natural empathy which, along with his extensive sport and general knowledge and interest in people, made him a brilliant club facilitator.”
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