Auchtermuchty, Fife
Posted in 1980s, Music, War Memorials at 22:52 on 5 January 2013
The village of Auchtermuchty in Fife has a much-mocked name. It does however have two claims to musical fame. The first is being the adult home of band leader and accordionist Jimmy Shand. He was born in another Fife town East Wemyss, which I blogged about here. In that post you can also find an embedded video of Shand’s most famous tune The Bluebell Polka.
After Jimmy’s death the townsfolk of ‘Muchty, as it is sometimes referred to, erected a statue in his memory.
Though they were born in Leith, Auchtermuchty became a home to The Proclaimers. Their song Sunshine on Leith has been taken up by fans of Hibernian Football Club and is now the club’s (unofficial?) anthem.
Auchtermuchty was also chosen as the set for the second (ITV) series of the adventures of the A J Cronin character Dr Finlay.
Auchtermuchty’s War Memorial is situated in the main street and is a reflective one, with the figure of a soldier in a niche on the western side.
The eastern side is plainer, with the inscribed names.
Tags: A J Cronin, Auchtermuchty, Dr Finlay, First World War, Hibernian FC, Hibs, Jimmy Shand, Second World War, the Great War, War Memorials, World War 1, World War 2, WW1, WW2, WWI, WWII
florian
11 May 2013 at 01:12
Sir Jimmy Shand.
It often reads”Ace Accordionist”. OK, he WAS, but that was not the most important thing. Only for commercial matters.
Sir Jimmy did abhor showing off only his technical skills but played MUSIC!!
And he had a MUSICAL transcendental message for the world as NO other!!
His person and music are the medicine for a better world! And he will live long after his death.
Florian
Holland
jackdeighton
11 May 2013 at 22:13
Thanks Florian,
You’re right. He brought a lot of joy to people through his music.
It looks like there’s no one in this generation who can match him.