The Sir Jimmy Shand Sculpture Project
by Dr Sandy Tulloch (Chairman, Sir Jimmy Shand Sculpture Project)
On Friday 12th September all roads seemed to lead to Auchtermuchty. Friends and admirers of the late Sir Jimmy Shand flocked from the length and breadth of the UK and even Ireland. All had come to witness the unveiling of a bronze statue of the accordion legend in his home town. Lifelong friend of Sir Jimmy, Dr Sandy Tulloch takes up the story….
Despite a rather gloomy forecast Friday, 12th September 2003 was a glorious day, with warm, bright sunshine for the huge number of spectators gathered to honour the unveiling of the Sculpture of Sir Jimmy Shand in Auchtermuchty.
Thanks to the excellent arrangements made by Fife Police, traffic and parking caused few problems, and the co-operation of local residents was much appreciated.
Exactly on schedule the Project Patron, the Earl of Elgin, arrived on site, to be joined by the Shand family and the Convener of Fife Council, John Simpson. The ladies were escored to a seated area and the Project Secretary, John Thomson, opened the proceedings by asking the Chairman, Dr Sandy Tulloch, to welcome and address the company.
In his speech, Dr Tulloch thanked all concerned and paid tribute to Sir Jimmy for his legendary musical skills, for his countless honours and achievements but, above all, for his humanity. He then asked Mr Simpson to speak on behalf of Fife Council. Sir Jimmy’s son, known to us all as Jimmy Junior, thanked all concerned for the support given to the Project Committee and for the skill of the sculptor, David Annand, portraying his father so accurately.
Flowers were presented to Lady Anne Shand and the Countess of Elgin and a magnificent hand crafted shepherd’s crook to the Earl, who then replied in inimitable fashion, showing his long friendship and deep respect for Sir Jimmy. He then removed the Saltire from the bronze and was joined by the Shand Family and sculptor.
From the comments made, there was no doubt of the more than favourable response of the huge number present.
Fife Council had arranged a luncheon reception in the Council Chambers, Cupar for mid-day, where invited guests gathered after the Ceremony. They were welcomed by the Convener and Dr Tulloch took the opportunity to thank particular members of the Project. He ended by expressing the hope that the aim of providing a Sculpture and quiet garden to remember a very great man had been achieved.
This is the transcript of Sandy Tulloch’s speech at the unveiling ceremony.
My heart is very full today….When Sir Jimmy died in December 2000, a lifetime’s memories were left for many of us.
In the Spring of the New Year, John (Ian) Thomson proposed that with the Shand Family’s approval and advice, four old friends should form a Committee to raise funds for the erection of a statue to his memory in Auchtermuchty.
The Community and Fife Council gave us their blessing and the project was given wide media coverage.
Sir Jimmy’s incredible history and popularity guaranteed success, and within a matter of months we knew that we could go ahead with the project.
David Annand of Kilmany was asked to model the sculpture, as we remember him in the 1950s, and prepare the chosen site in Auchtermuchty.
Friends and admirers of Sir Jimmy from all over the world responded with tremendous generosity. All have been thanked officially, but I sincerely thank them again.
Not one, but two biographies were written during his lifetime. Many of us have read them, but his musical skill, friendship and humanity were legendary. I once listed his achievements and honours – it makes formidable reading, but none of us requires to be reminded in detail.
He used to say (never to be forgotten words) “Keep it simple son”, and I intend to do so.
Sir Jimmy was justly proud of the many honours bestowed on him, but he remained throughout his long life a quiet, modest man. The countless number sof us who thought of him as a friend remember him with love and pride.
We must thank Fife Council for the invitation to the social gathering in Council Chambers, Cupar, and for the welcome given to us by Councillor John Simpson.
I feel that I must make special mention of some people in particular, without whose help the project could never have been completed.
Firstly the instigator and my indefatigable Secretary John Thomson of Ceres; my Treasurer, Ian Collie of Dunblane; Committee member John McDonald of Kirkcaldy; David Annand, artist and sculpture of Kilmany; Powderhall Bronze of Edinburgh whose skill cast such an intricate structure; George Shand of Crook of Devon for site preparation; Fife Council, Glenrothes, for accepting and guiding the plans through Committee; the great help of Auchtermuchty Community Association, local residents and more than willing advice and assistance by Fife Police; again my thanks to the Shand Family for their acceptance of the project and the help given to the sculptor David Annand; Alex Clark, whose skill in crook-making allowed us to present our Patron, Lord Elgin, with a most suitable gift; and our thanks again to Lord Elgin who has once again supported our effort to commemorate one of nature’s greatest gentlemen.
Two years ago I envisaged a quiet garden where one could rest and remember Sir Jimmy – in his words – “Happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again”.
I sincerely hope the future will show that we have achieved this aim.
Box and Fiddle
October 2003
Despite a rather gloomy forecast Friday, 12th September 2003 was a glorious day, with warm, bright sunshine for the huge number of spectators gathered to honour the unveiling of the Sculpture of Sir Jimmy Shand in Auchtermuchty.
Thanks to the excellent arrangements made by Fife Police, traffic and parking caused few problems, and the co-operation of local residents was much appreciated.
Exactly on schedule the Project Patron, the Earl of Elgin, arrived on site, to be joined by the Shand family and the Convener of Fife Council, John Simpson. The ladies were escored to a seated area and the Project Secretary, John Thomson, opened the proceedings by asking the Chairman, Dr Sandy Tulloch, to welcome and address the company.
In his speech, Dr Tulloch thanked all concerned and paid tribute to Sir Jimmy for his legendary musical skills, for his countless honours and achievements but, above all, for his humanity. He then asked Mr Simpson to speak on behalf of Fife Council. Sir Jimmy’s son, known to us all as Jimmy Junior, thanked all concerned for the support given to the Project Committee and for the skill of the sculptor, David Annand, portraying his father so accurately.
Flowers were presented to Lady Anne Shand and the Countess of Elgin and a magnificent hand crafted shepherd’s crook to the Earl, who then replied in inimitable fashion, showing his long friendship and deep respect for Sir Jimmy. He then removed the Saltire from the bronze and was joined by the Shand Family and sculptor.
From the comments made, there was no doubt of the more than favourable response of the huge number present.
Fife Council had arranged a luncheon reception in the Council Chambers, Cupar for mid-day, where invited guests gathered after the Ceremony. They were welcomed by the Convener and Dr Tulloch took the opportunity to thank particular members of the Project. He ended by expressing the hope that the aim of providing a Sculpture and quiet garden to remember a very great man had been achieved.
This is the transcript of Sandy Tulloch’s speech at the unveiling ceremony.
My heart is very full today….When Sir Jimmy died in December 2000, a lifetime’s memories were left for many of us.
In the Spring of the New Year, John (Ian) Thomson proposed that with the Shand Family’s approval and advice, four old friends should form a Committee to raise funds for the erection of a statue to his memory in Auchtermuchty.
The Community and Fife Council gave us their blessing and the project was given wide media coverage.
Sir Jimmy’s incredible history and popularity guaranteed success, and within a matter of months we knew that we could go ahead with the project.
David Annand of Kilmany was asked to model the sculpture, as we remember him in the 1950s, and prepare the chosen site in Auchtermuchty.
Friends and admirers of Sir Jimmy from all over the world responded with tremendous generosity. All have been thanked officially, but I sincerely thank them again.
Not one, but two biographies were written during his lifetime. Many of us have read them, but his musical skill, friendship and humanity were legendary. I once listed his achievements and honours – it makes formidable reading, but none of us requires to be reminded in detail.
He used to say (never to be forgotten words) “Keep it simple son”, and I intend to do so.
Sir Jimmy was justly proud of the many honours bestowed on him, but he remained throughout his long life a quiet, modest man. The countless number sof us who thought of him as a friend remember him with love and pride.
We must thank Fife Council for the invitation to the social gathering in Council Chambers, Cupar, and for the welcome given to us by Councillor John Simpson.
I feel that I must make special mention of some people in particular, without whose help the project could never have been completed.
Firstly the instigator and my indefatigable Secretary John Thomson of Ceres; my Treasurer, Ian Collie of Dunblane; Committee member John McDonald of Kirkcaldy; David Annand, artist and sculpture of Kilmany; Powderhall Bronze of Edinburgh whose skill cast such an intricate structure; George Shand of Crook of Devon for site preparation; Fife Council, Glenrothes, for accepting and guiding the plans through Committee; the great help of Auchtermuchty Community Association, local residents and more than willing advice and assistance by Fife Police; again my thanks to the Shand Family for their acceptance of the project and the help given to the sculptor David Annand; Alex Clark, whose skill in crook-making allowed us to present our Patron, Lord Elgin, with a most suitable gift; and our thanks again to Lord Elgin who has once again supported our effort to commemorate one of nature’s greatest gentlemen.
Two years ago I envisaged a quiet garden where one could rest and remember Sir Jimmy – in his words – “Happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again”.
I sincerely hope the future will show that we have achieved this aim.
Box and Fiddle
October 2003