Mr Ian Redford (1925-88)
Jimmy Shand was among the pall-bearers at the funeral of Ian Redford, Chairman of the Highland Accordion and Fiddle Club, which took place at Tomnahurich Cemetery. Mr Redford, 120 Wyvis Place, Inverness, died in Raigmore Hospital on 10th October after a long illness. He was 63.
Born in Kirriemuir and a saw-miller to trade, he moved to the Highland Capital in 1961. Ten years later, he was involved in a serious road accident which temporarily paralysed him. He made a partial recovery but continued to walk with a limp and in 1972 travelled to Exeter there he retrained as a bookkeeper. He was employed in the office of Auto Sales until he decided to take early retirement.
Inspired by Jimmy Shand, he learned to play the accordion at an early age and was proud to have played with his hero. After moving to Inverness, Mr Redford kept in touch with the famous bandleader.
Despite the accident, he was determined not to give up the accordion and, although the effects of his injuries on his left hand impaired his playing of the bass buttons, Mr Redford and an accompanist, Alan Shepherd, became a popular duo, playing at many charity events and regularly entertaining old people.
A founder member of the Highland A&F Club, Mr Redford served as Chairman for 14 years and would have presided at its 15th anniversary celebrations on 21st November when Jim Johnstone and his Band – who opened the Club in 1973 – return to provide the music for the festivities. He had also re-formed the accordion orchestra for the Club’s annual concert at Eden Court on 5th November.
Yesterday, Mr Shepherd paid tribute to his musical partner. “Ian was a fighter”, he said. “He was determined to overcome the effects of his accident. I never thought he would play the accordion again – but he did. He wasn’t in the best of health latterly, but he didn’t want to let the old folk down.”
Mr Redford was the chairman of the Merkinch Senior Citizen’s Outings Club and played a lot of fund-raising concert’s for them. A more recent interest was the Crossroads Care Attendant Scheme and the collection taken at his funeral will go there.
Councillor Tom Mackenzie paid tribute at Mr Redford’s funeral service in Dalneigh Church. “The The Senior citizens have lost a close friend”, he said. “His passionate love of music was shared freely with young and old alike – and the quality of his life was portrayed immediately he touched the keys of the accordion.”
Mr Redford was a Freemason and well-known in North Masonic circles. He is survived by his wife Bunty and son Ian.
Box and Fiddle
Oct/Nov 1988
Born in Kirriemuir and a saw-miller to trade, he moved to the Highland Capital in 1961. Ten years later, he was involved in a serious road accident which temporarily paralysed him. He made a partial recovery but continued to walk with a limp and in 1972 travelled to Exeter there he retrained as a bookkeeper. He was employed in the office of Auto Sales until he decided to take early retirement.
Inspired by Jimmy Shand, he learned to play the accordion at an early age and was proud to have played with his hero. After moving to Inverness, Mr Redford kept in touch with the famous bandleader.
Despite the accident, he was determined not to give up the accordion and, although the effects of his injuries on his left hand impaired his playing of the bass buttons, Mr Redford and an accompanist, Alan Shepherd, became a popular duo, playing at many charity events and regularly entertaining old people.
A founder member of the Highland A&F Club, Mr Redford served as Chairman for 14 years and would have presided at its 15th anniversary celebrations on 21st November when Jim Johnstone and his Band – who opened the Club in 1973 – return to provide the music for the festivities. He had also re-formed the accordion orchestra for the Club’s annual concert at Eden Court on 5th November.
Yesterday, Mr Shepherd paid tribute to his musical partner. “Ian was a fighter”, he said. “He was determined to overcome the effects of his accident. I never thought he would play the accordion again – but he did. He wasn’t in the best of health latterly, but he didn’t want to let the old folk down.”
Mr Redford was the chairman of the Merkinch Senior Citizen’s Outings Club and played a lot of fund-raising concert’s for them. A more recent interest was the Crossroads Care Attendant Scheme and the collection taken at his funeral will go there.
Councillor Tom Mackenzie paid tribute at Mr Redford’s funeral service in Dalneigh Church. “The The Senior citizens have lost a close friend”, he said. “His passionate love of music was shared freely with young and old alike – and the quality of his life was portrayed immediately he touched the keys of the accordion.”
Mr Redford was a Freemason and well-known in North Masonic circles. He is survived by his wife Bunty and son Ian.
Box and Fiddle
Oct/Nov 1988