Jack Forrest – husband, family man, churchgoer and banding enthusiast

Former SBBA executive committee member and Penicuik Silver bandsman Jack Forrest, who passed away on 3 July, just one day after his 92nd birthday, was Penicuik born and bred.

Raised by his parents John and Agnes with twin brother Dan and sister Pat, he left school to join his father working at the Valleyfield paper mill. Apart from a break for National Service in India, Jack remained at Valleyfield until he moved to Bartholomew’s printing works in Edinburgh where he worked until his retirement.

In 1952, Jack married Jean in the North Kirk, Penicuik, and they raised a family of three sons, Ian, Scott and Keith. A keen hill walker, Jack would take the family on walks on the Pentland Hills after church – where he was a long time member – on a Sunday. Green bowling at Shottstown Miners Club and latterly Penicuik Private Club were also favoured pastimes, as was Scottish Country Dancing for which he organised events in the Community Centre at Auchendinny with the profits going to Penicuik Silver Band.

Jack had four loves in his life – Jean, his family, the North Kirk and banding, although not necessarily in that order. He first joined Penicuik Silver Band as a committee member in 1953 after attending many concerts and took up the tenor horn soon after.

His devotion to Penicuik Silver Band and banding in general is well known, serving the band as a player and for countless years as both secretary and treasurer. He also completed a stint on the SBBA executive and his family followed him into banding with his sons and grandchildren playing with the band.

He would regularly appear on stage after contests awaiting the results, including in 1975 in Motherwell when Penicuik won the 4th section title. A later notable celebration for Jack’s 80th birthday included a massed bands concert featuring players from across central Scotland which was held in the North Kirk in 2008.

He will be sadly missed by all at Penicuik and the Scottish band scene and our thoughts are with the family at this time.

The family will be planning a memorial service in the North Kirk once restrictions are lifted.

• Many thanks to Penicuik Silver Band member Jim Peebles for compiling this obituary.