THE news of the death of one of Peebles’ much respected and most well-known citizens – Jim Forsyth at the age of 91 - has been received with much sadness by his many friends and acquaintances, both in the town of Peebles itself and much further afield.

Jim was born in the Borders town of Duns on May 21, 1926.

With 'a twinkle in his eye' and in his own inimitable way, Jim was known to joke over the years that though he was only one month younger than Queen Elizabeth, she somehow or another went to a “different school” from him!

Jim moved to Peebles with his family in July 1938 when he was 12 years old. His father came to the town to set up, what went on to become, the family’s high quality butcher’s business - Forsyth’s.

The young Jim attended Peebles High School before going on to join the Royal Air Force, serving for three years during the later years of the second World War.

At the end of the war he returned to Peebles to join his father in the family business and following his father’s death in 1963, Jim and his brother, Malcolm, took over the running of the business which developed until it became something of an institution both within and outside the town.

Jim subsequently met and married his wife Nancy in 1956, and they had three sons - Walter, Callum, and Norman.

Callum and Norman later married and, as time moved on, Jim and Nancy became the proud grandparents of four grand-daughters – Amy, Kate, Gemma and Lucy.

Jim Forsyth was undoubtedly one of the great Peebles stalwarts over the years - a great asset to the town and its many organisations. He loved the town and community of Peebles so much.

Jim was a very keen golfer and a member of Peebles Golf Club, where he was Captain of the club in 1957 and Honorary President in 1992 - the year of the Club’s centenary.

He was a member of Peebles Rotary Club for over 50 years - Past President, Honorary Member and recipient of the Paul Harris Fellowship Special Award – the highest accolade the Rotary Club can award.

Jim was a member of Peebles Callants Club since early 1950s, becoming the longest existing serving member.

He was a member of Peebles Guildry Corporation for many years, and also president of Peebles Curling Club.

Jim was chosen as the Warden of Neidpath in the Peebles Beltane Festival in 1993.

And he was an Elder of the Peebles Leckie Church for over 50 years.

Jim was a very friendly, sociable man who loved fun and taking time to chat and have a laugh with everyone he came in contact with - both socially and in his business role serving the public.

Letters sent to Jim's wife Nancy since his death by friends and acquaintances have descried him as being both a totally committed 'people person' and a totally committed 'Peebles person'. There is little doubt that Jim Forsyth very much fitted both descriptions.

Jim loved Peebles, its history and its traditions, and he devoted himself in so many ways to the preservation and continuance of everything he loved about the town.

He also loved its people and there have been many organisations and individuals who have benefitted from his friendship and support.

He was a lovely person who will be sadly missed in the town and community of Peebles.

Our thoughts very much go out to his wife Nancy and to all his family at this sad time.

KH