Jack Stalker (6th Nov 1928 - 11th Aug 2019)
Obituary by George Wilson & Liz Reid
Family, friends, dancers and musicians gathered at Warriston
Crematorium on 21st August and later at Winchburgh Bowling Club to
celebrate the life of Jack Stalker, well-known fiddler from Woodend, near Winchburgh.
Bandleader Jack, originally from Scone, the Largoward in fife, lived at Woodend from 1967 working as a joiner at Hopetoun House. He had several bands during his playing career, the highlights of which were a tour of Zambia in 1974 and playing solo before the Queen at Edinburgh Castle. His main band, formed in 1974, remained virtually unchanged until 2005, playing usually for Scottish Country Dancing and becoming very popular in the Lothians, Edinburgh and further afield. The band also played abroad between the years 1978 and 2002, mostly in the Mediterranean area, for country dancing holidays.
Jack was a prolific composer and many of his tunes have become originals for locally devised dances and are now in a book called ‘The Woodend Cottages Collection’.
After his band playing stopped, Jack continued to enjoy the musical nights at Letham, then Collessie, and was a regular visitor at Glenfarg Accordion & Fiddle Club. Unfortunately, a fall in 2018 put an end to his playing, and his health gradually deteriorated.
To honour Jack, all musicians attending the funeral were asked to bring their instruments, and, after refreshments, a great stramash was held in the Bowling Club leading to an amazing two hours of impromptu dancing and playing.
It was a memorable afternoon and Jack certainly got a great send-off.
Bandleader Jack, originally from Scone, the Largoward in fife, lived at Woodend from 1967 working as a joiner at Hopetoun House. He had several bands during his playing career, the highlights of which were a tour of Zambia in 1974 and playing solo before the Queen at Edinburgh Castle. His main band, formed in 1974, remained virtually unchanged until 2005, playing usually for Scottish Country Dancing and becoming very popular in the Lothians, Edinburgh and further afield. The band also played abroad between the years 1978 and 2002, mostly in the Mediterranean area, for country dancing holidays.
Jack was a prolific composer and many of his tunes have become originals for locally devised dances and are now in a book called ‘The Woodend Cottages Collection’.
After his band playing stopped, Jack continued to enjoy the musical nights at Letham, then Collessie, and was a regular visitor at Glenfarg Accordion & Fiddle Club. Unfortunately, a fall in 2018 put an end to his playing, and his health gradually deteriorated.
To honour Jack, all musicians attending the funeral were asked to bring their instruments, and, after refreshments, a great stramash was held in the Bowling Club leading to an amazing two hours of impromptu dancing and playing.
It was a memorable afternoon and Jack certainly got a great send-off.