Ray's funeral yesterday was attended by around 200 people, and was described by Artie Tresize who was the MC as to be a "sad, but not dour" occasion.
Colin requested Northumbrian pipers play as mourners assembled, which about 12 of us did.
Ray's coffin was piped into the building by Hamish Moore on Highland pipes.

Contributions came from both family and friends. The Fisher lassies sang...well...the Fisher lassies, what else. As well as snippets from early CDs, there were sung contributions from Martyn Wyndham - Read "The Rose", the poem Mother's Ruin written by Ray and read by Artie.

Ray's granddaughter played a fine horn solo, and her mother read a poem commemorating Ray's other Singer - her sewing machine. Ray's son Andrew told stories of her generosity to all, and particularly to them as children.

Anything that could be sung to or along with in the service was, with enthusiasm, and I believe the immediate family were very supported by and grateful for this, and for the high turnout.

At the committal, a solo Northumbrian piper (Chris Ormston) played Floors o' the Forest, followed by Keening in the Wind by Billy Pigg, which given the weather conditions (the tail-end of Hurricane Katia came over us yesterday) was perhaps more appropriate than originally intended.

The ceremony finished with Northumbrian pipers playing, and the entire company singing, "The Hills of Galloway" at the tops of their voices.

Artie mentioned that it is planned to have a "Fisher family" concert at the 2012 Celtic Connections event in January 2012.

The ceremony was followed by a packed gathering including a splendid display of family photographs compiled by Colin, Duncan, Andrew and Fiona over the past few days.

When I left, singing was just re-commencing.

Julia