Cllr John Gold was a well-respected member of Dundee Corporation for over 20 years – from the mid 1930s until his death in 1959 at the age of 57.
He represented the then Dudhope Ward, was married at 7 Rosewood Terrace in the West End on 12th July 1929, and their oldest daughter was born exactly one year later – 12th July 1930 (who, now aged over 80, lives in Australia).
Cllr John Gold was very much involved in the Temperance Movement, was heavily involved in amateur dramatics and was a basket maker to trade.
But in addition to all this, John Gold was a first – the first blind councillor in Scotland – educated at the Blind Institution in Magdalen Yard Road.
Today, along with his granddaughter Jill McLaren and her husband George – West End residents themselves – I had the great pleasure of taking part in a civic tour for Jill and George followed by a meeting with Lord Provost John Letford, in recognition of the civic contribution of the late Councillor John Gold.
I am very grateful to the Lord Provost for his kindness in meeting with Jill and George today in recognition of the contribution of Jill’s grandfather to the City of Dundee.
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Cllr John Gold (with chain) at a temperance event |
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George & Jill McLaren during the civic tour |
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George & Jill with the Lord Provost and myself |