The following email was sent out on Wednesday and is repeated here to add to the contributions already made.

Jim Reid - a man who many will consider as one of Scotland's finest folksingers - passed away on Monday 6th July after a long illness. His contribution to Scotland's singing tradition has been immense and, in 2005, he was voted Scots Singer of the Year in the Scots Trad Music Awards. His love of the poetry of Tayside and Angus and, in particular, his inspired setting to music of poems by Violet Jacob and Helen Cruickshank have given us a lasting legacy. His setting of Violet Jacob's Wild Geese (or Norland Wind) has become a classic of the folk song repertoire.

It was at Jim's suggestion that some of the musicians from the regular sessions at Arbroath's Foundry Bar got together, entered and won the 1971 Ceilidh Band competition at the Kinross Festival - and so was born the hugely influential and very enjoyable Foundry Bar Band who played at festivals, ceilidhs and dances for over another 30 years.

Funeral arrangements:
As in the Courier Wednesday 8 July:
Peacefully at Lisden Nursing Home, Kirriemuir on Monday June 6, 2009, James Crighton (Jim, folk singer), dearly loved by Julia, much loved dad of Linda and Craig, father-in-law of Ewan and Tracey, also much loved grandad of Craig, Megan and Kirsty. Funeral service will be held in Letham Parish Church, Letham, Angus on Monday 13th July at 12 noon, thereafter to Dunnichen Cemetery to which all family and friends are respectfully invited. Family flowers only but donations may be made at the church in aid of Alzheimer Scotland.

Some of Jim Reid's songs may be listened to or freely downloaded from the following link where donations may also be made direct to Alzheimer Scotland:
http://www.springthyme.co.uk/album15/15go.html

Public thread:
http://www.footstompin.com/public/forum?threadid=548322

Peter Shepheard
email: peter.shepheard@ukonline.co.uk
Springthyme Records • Springthyme Music
Balmalcolm House, Balmalcolm, Cupar, Fife KY15 7TJ
tel: 01337 830773
international: +44 1337 830773
Weblinks:
Springthyme Records: www.springthyme.co.uk