Gladys Margaret Goulton 1906 - 2010
To many, the name Gladys Goulton will mean very little but she was the oldest member of the Leicester Diocesan Guild until she passed away peacefully in her sleep aged 103.
Miss Gladys, as she was affectionately known, was born in Tottenham, North London. The second child of a Christian family, she was baptized and confirmed at St Mary’s Tottenham. Following her education and early teenage life in London her family moved to Desford, Leicestershire, where she lived for the rest of her life; all but the past few years which were spent in the Wyggeston Hospital, a home for the elderly.
Miss Gladys started training to be a nurse, spent some time as a nanny but her final career move saw her take up teaching with posts at The Lyndhurst Private School, Leicester and latterly at Fosse High School.
The Goulton family was involved with the church at Desford and Miss Gladys was no exception. In 1939, when the church organist went on holiday, Miss Gladys agreed to stand in having only ever played the piano. On her return from holiday, the organist promptly retired and Miss Gladys continued in the post for many years.
Miss Gladys learnt to ring the bells in 1944 and Desford were mainly ringing rounds and call changes with some Grandsire Doubles. When the ringing master, Eric Edwards retired in the early 80s Miss Gladys became ringing master and was still ringing well after her 90th birthday. Notable dates for her were ringing in 1977 for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee and there is a letter dated 23rd May 1986 thanking the Desford ringers for ringing for the Queen’s 60th birthday.
Miss Gladys rang her first quarter peal in 1988 at the age of 88 and her second in 1994 to celebrate 50 years of ringing. When the Leicester Guild celebrated its 60th anniversary in 1996, ringing was organized for all members who had been ringing from its inception and Miss Gladys rang some rounds at Birstall, an easy going light, ground floor, eight. She was then jus 99 years young. Desford parish proudly provided a ‘Parish Lunch’ after a special service celebrating her 100th birthday. Had it not been for the awkward ladder into the ringing chamber Miss Gladys would have been ringing on that day. I was honored to be asked to conduct a peal for her on that occasion.
Miss Gladys spent her whole life encouraging youngsters, not only with her teaching – she was a Brownie leader, Guide Commissioner and Camping Advisor. She remained in touch with the Trefoil Guild. She has encouraged many to take up ringing. Truly Miss Gladys was a remarkable lady.
Mick Angrave
