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Alistair Simpson, a leading figure in Falkirk community

Alistair Simpson was a champion of the arts festival in Falkirk.
Alistair Simpson was a champion of the arts festival in Falkirk.

A man described as “one of Falkirk’s best servants” has died.

Alistair Simpson had a major impact in improving Falkirk both as a place in which to live and making it more attractive for visitors.

While leader of Falkirk and District Arts and Civic Council, he encouraged a greater awareness about local affairs and furthered the scope of the organisation through his enthusiastic support as its secretary and convener.

He was a founder member of the Falkirk Festival Chorus (founded by Robert Tait in 1973) and provided advice and assistance to countless new ventures in the area.

Mr Simpson was a much-admired figure throughout the community.

He was educated in Perth and then gained honour degrees in geography and history at St Andrews University. Initially he taught at Morgan Academy in Dundee and spent a year on an exchange with Essex District High School in Ontario. In 1966, he returned to Falkirk and was appointed a lecturer in social studies at Callendar Park Teacher Training College.

Nowhere was Mr Simpson’s direct contribution to the Falkirk community more evident than in his championing of the arts festival. In 1968 he was appointed the secretary and convener of Falkirk Arts and Civic Council and expanded the number of community groups participating in the festival and broadened the range of the programme considerably.

He is survived by his wife Pat and their two sons.