Anecdotes - about Sir Jimmy Shand, MBE, MA
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Sweet Pea and Race Horse
There is now a Sir Jimmy Shand Sweet Pea, the background being that, after the Sir Jimmy Shand Sculpture
Unveiling at Auchtermuchty, one of the Sculpture Project Committee Members, Ian Collie, Retired Director of
Education for Central Region, indicated that he would speak to a friend,
Bobby Chisholm, who is a retired Headmaster, a very keen sweet pea
enthusiast and a great Shand fan, about the possibility of him cultivating a
new sweet pea and naming it Sir Jimmy Shand.
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Some three years later, Bobby won a prestigious award, in England, for the sweet pea "Sir Jimmy Shand" and
the seeds are now being sold.
Finally, as I feel sure you may know, a race
horse, at the present time, is named Sir Jimmy Shand, the previous race
horse, now dead, being plain Jimmy Shand.
John (Ian) Thomson
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Shand the Composer
As a close friend of Sir Jimmy, I was the instigator and Secretary of the Sculpture Project and my favourite story involves the composing of the tune "Memories of Willie Snaith".
Jimmy, as he was then, was en route from the Hexham area to his home, having attended Willie Snaith's funeral and stopped at the Hotel in Biggar, run by the late Alex McArthur.
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While waiting on tatties and mince being made, he composed "Memories of Willie Snaith" for Alex to play at Perth A.F.C. that night - demonstrates the man's brilliance as a composer as well as his other great talents.
I was present at the Accordion Club that night when Alex told the story which I later had confirmed when, on asking Jimmy if the story was correct, received the answer "Aye son, that's right." No wonder we all loved him.
John (Ian) Thomson
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A Better Life
I remember Sir Jimmy Shand when I was a boy. I loved his music. His music helped me to live a better life.
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I live in Australia and I listen to his music when I'm homesick. I feel as if I have lost a friend.
(George McKelvey)
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Heather Mixture
Whenever we danced at the Queen Street Studios in Edinburgh for the recordings of "Heather Mixture", Jimmy continuously watched the dancers very carefully while he was playing, so that he could precisely match the music with the dance.
At the end of the recording session he always made time for us to get his autograph and to have a wee chat about the dances.
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Week after week - he was so considerate and pleasant to everyone! This was a man who showed that he really cared about his fans. (H. A.)
Click to see an autographed sample of one of those BBC "Heather Mixture" programme recordings.
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Auchtermuchty
When Jimmy's golden labrador died (the one that is featured on the cover of the record "Back Hame tae Auchtermuchty"), his son Erskine approached me to train a young black labrador as a replacement. It was to be a surprise for Jimmy.
I will never forget the sheer delight on Jimmy's face when I delivered the young dog to his home in Auchtermuchty and he saw the dog for the first time.
He took to it instantly and the dog was immediately at ease with him. That was one happy man!
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Jimmy spent two hours with me that day in his home, even though the phone never stopped and he had so much other business to deal with.
He and his wife Anne were just the best of hosts and were so friendly towards me - a stranger - whose chest was bursting with pride at being in the company of such a great man. (H. A.)
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Tivoli Theatre Aberdeen
I just visited your website on Jimmy Shand and it brought back such wonderful wonderful memories.
You see, I'm an Aberdonian by birth, though many years ago I emigrated to Canada.
While I was growing up, my father (who worked with Aberdeen City Police) played fiddle with the City Police Scottish Country Dance Club.
I played a mean eightsome reel on the piano!
Many times, when their pianist (another police woman) had to work, I accompanied the band on the piano.
This was a truly special time in my life.
Also, around that time, an aunt of mine owned the Confectioners Shop around the corner from the Tivoli Theatre, and I often used to help her there after school.
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At that time, I started collecting autographs of a lot of the artists playing the Tivoli - and believe it or not,
young Jimmy Shand and his band members - George McKelvey (Piano); Syd Chalmers (violin);
Owen McCabe (Drums); John Whyte (Bass) and Norman Whitelaw (Piano) all signed my book. I have it to this very day.
Jimmy Shand was a grand master and a kind and gentle man - as seen through the eyes of a child.
I'm sure he never changed, bless his heart.
Thank you for reading my message - I enjoyed your website very much and all the tributes to a great Scot!
(Sheila Veh)
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Very Special Music
Dear Sir,
In respect of Jimmy Shand, from an Englishman, what a great performer Jimmy Shand was, even playing CD'S of his, they sound as fresh as ever.
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Thank You, Jimmy for spreading your very special music, not just in Scotland, but worldwide.
(Bridgewoodwell)
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Eye Drops for Jimmy
I remember in the sixties Jimmy used to stay with us at Penrith with his driver Andy Gow.
My mother had to put drops in Jimmy's eyes due to the smoke at dances, but this would not stop him playing into the early hours.
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Every new recording, we would get the first copy signed, which we still have.
Most are old 78's but they are like gold to us and could never be replaced.
(D. Richardson)
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Thank you old friend
As a young lad I grew up on the music of Sir Jimmy Shand, listening to the New Years shows on TV.
Jimmy was the greatest performer Scotland ever knew. I still play his records to this day.
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I live in St Monans, Fife, not too far from where Jimmy was born and recently I had the great honour to visit Auchtermuchty to see the statue of the great Sir Jimmy.
Thank you old friend for the years of beautiful music.
(Don Kinsman)
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