Plymouth Keep Fit founder dies as family pay loving tribute

The founder of the Plymouth branch of the Keep Fit Association has died at the age of 96 – having taught exercise for more than 70 years.

Ruth Kirkham was then Ruth Wall when she came down to the city with her family in 1956, as she was married to Bob Wall, who was also a PE instructor.

Having taught keep fit in the Midlands, Ruth decided she should launch a branch of the KFA in Plymouth. She ended up teaching in Plymouth for 60 years, continuing until the grand age of 89.

Having also taught in Birmingham before she moved south, her daughter Jane Wall – one of four surviving children – said she had taught movement for more than 70 years.

Daughter Jane said: “She ended up teaching until the age of 88 or 89, so in fact she had 70-plus years as she started at aged 16 in Birmingham, and did her Birmingham Athletic Institute training.

“Then when she moved down in 1956 she had already been involved in the KFA and realised that Plymouth didn’t have a Keep Fit Association, and so she started one, and became president of it.

“She had quite a legacy in her own little way.”

Working as an occupational therapist as well as teaching, Mrs Kirkham also passed on her love of movement down through her family, with two of her daughters involved in teaching, and several of her grandchildren too.

Jane said: “She had a big family - there were six of us [children] originally, and there are four now.

“She has passed on her genes very gracefully to us, as two of her daughters follow yoga and have a love of dance, and there are two other daughters who also have a love of dance.”

“The two of us [girls] left are still following on her joy of movement,” she added.

“She was always making up her routines when we were around, and always included us in getting her music together and choreography.

“It was always there and so it was natural that we would follow on to a certain extent.

“She always enthused about movement, and its even passed on to the granddaughters as there are four of them who have also followed on, with one of them being a yoga teacher – they’ve all got that in their genes.

“Our father was also a PE instructor too – so there was no getting away from it!”

With the family living in Mutley Road, opposite Mutley Park, a joy of movement and exercise was something instilled in the children from a young age.

Jane continued: “We all grew up in Mutley right opposite a park which was great for all us as we could go and do our athletics in the park, and dancing and swinging.

“She used to shout to us from the steps and we would all come in from the park. We have all got really fond memories.”

Her mum was also an accomplished seamstress, pianist and gardener, but it was her work as a dance teacher in which she exerted the greatest influence.

On top of teaching in Plymouth, she was regional trainer for the South West Keep Fit Association, and KFA Chairwoman from 1967 until 1993.

She even choreographed KFA demonstrations at the Royal Albert Hall.

A celebration of her life is going to be held on Monday, November 11, where members of the Keep Fit Association will be welcomed.

For details, please contact Jane Wall via email at janesflowyoga@gmail.com.

Jane added: “It’s going to be a celebration of her life and it’s going to be at one of the venues that she used to teach.”