Being a Lady Provost has its high points even when you're aged 72

Published on Sunday 19 April 2009 22:01

IT is the kind of Sunday-afternoon activity many people half her age would baulk at.

But abseiling SAS-style from one of the nation's best-known landmarks was almost made to look easy yesterday by Edinburgh's "first lady".

Elizabeth Grubb, wife of the capital's Lord Provost George Grubb, was cheered by spectators as she happily posed for photographers mid-way through her 165-feet descent from the Forth Bridge.

The 72-year-old decided to join more than 450 fundraisers taking part in yesterday's event, organised by the charity Chest, Heart and Stoke Scotland, in honour of her mother Betty, who died last year.

Mrs Grubb told The Scotsman she even had time to "enjoy the amazing view" during her abseil, during which she let both hands go free to wave at wellwishers gathered below the railway bridge.

The Lady Provost was one of five participants hoping to raise more than 2,000 for a South Queensferry-based group dedicated to caring for elderly people in the area.

Mrs Grubb, who admitted beforehand she did not have "the best head for heights", had a photograph of her mother tucked inside the bag she carried around her shoulder as she descended from the famous landmark. She was helped by the group for a couple of years towards the end of her life.

Mrs Grubb said earlier: "My late mother had received marvellous care a couple of times a week through Queensferry Care in the Community.

"She often spoke of the marvellous support and care she had from their staff and volunteers, so I'm really doing it in her memory.

"I've had a few sleepless nights since agreeing to do the jump, but that's been more to do with the thought of climbing up the hill to the bridge."

Although yesterday's event, which was expected to generate about 100,000 for more than a dozen charities, started at 9am, Mrs Grubb had to wait until after 5pm for her allocated slot, along with four other QCCC fundraisers – Sheena Leslie, Richard Reynolds, Colin Thompson and Kenny Taylor.

Hundreds of people were still gathered below the Forth Bridge when she made her descent.

She said afterwards: "I wouldn't say it was a piece of cake, but I enjoyed it and I'm really glad I did it.

"The worst bit was definitely climbing over the bits of the bridge just before you go down and you are really only standing on a pole. You do feel safe in the harness and they have complete control of you.

"I was really just enjoying the view on the way down, which was marvellous on a day like this. I'm sure my mother would have been really proud of me."

Mr Grubb, 73, who himself has taken part in a number of runs for charity, said: "I have to admit I was a bit surprised when Elizabeth suggested doing the abseil, but it was very much her decision.

"There was no chance of me doing it – one of has to remain sane! But I'll be doing my own bit for charity in the summer when I take part in an Dunfermline-Edinburgh cycle ride."

Chris Marks, regional fundraising and events manager for Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland, said the event, organised by the charity for the 11th time, was expected to raise more than 100,000 in total.

He added: "It's certainly very rare to have anyone as old as the Lady Provost involved in one of our abseiling events, although people of all ages do take part.

"We are able to offer people advice before the event on what it is like and there is obviously a training procedure."

Liz McIntosh, manager of QCCC, said: "We are delighted that through her public profile as Lady Provost, Mrs Grubb is helping to generate even more awareness about our organisation and the work that we do."

HUGE TASK

WORK on the world's first major steel bridge got under way in 1883. Designed by John Fowler and Benjamin Baker, the bridge was formally completed seven years later, Prince Edward tapping into place a golden rivet.

Its construction involved more than 4,000 men at times, the use of 54,000 tonnes of steel and driving 6,500,000 rivets. Its total cost was 3.2 million. During operations, rescue boats were stationed under each cantilever saving at least eight lives, but 57 men still lost their lives, according to official records.

However, historians now believe the cost of the project was even higher, with a possible death toll of 78.