The Eric Muir Memorial Gala is held in memory of one of the club’s great
workers. Captain Muir died suddenly in hospital in 1997. In his obituary in the
local press he was described as "one of Cupar and District Swimming Club’s most
dedicated and popular members".
The Memorial Gala takes the form of a set of relay events, usually involving
a number of clubs from Fife. It is held in Cupar in the autumn.
Captain Eric Muir had a successful career in merchant shipping. In later
years he became very actively involved in the organisation of our swimming club.
He started as a times recorder and moved on to be the convenor and organiser for
invitation and league galas, transport organiser for galas, and home gala
announcer, amongst other jobs. He was probably best known in the club for his
recording of swimmers’ times, timecards, and gala results. Without the use of
computers he was able to determine rapidly the appropriate entry time for a gala
for any of the swimmers. He often set out at the crack of dawn to take swimmers
to a gala, and was then on poolside with them for up to ten hours.
Captain Muir’s work with the club was recognised by the award of the "North
East of Fife Services to Sport Award" shortly before he passed away. The club
chairperson at the time of his death said "Everyone in Cupar and District
Swimming Club will have memories of Eric Muir. He was a very highly-respected
member of the club and will be sorely missed by young and old. Eric and his wife
Margaret were made life members of the club in gratitude for their outstanding
service. Cupar and District Swimming Club were very fortunate to have a worker
such as Captain Eric Muir, and proud to have known him as their friend."
Margaret Muir continues to contribute greatly to the club in both swimming
and lifesaving, and as both a teacher/coach and a technical official.
