The life and work of an Angus philanthropist was marked this week with a tree planting ceremony.
Sir James Cayzer died in February at the age of 81, having been a good friend to the people around his home of Kinpurnie Castle for most of his life.
In a ceremony attended by his nephew Nigel and his wife, Newtyle Primary School children planted a tree and dedicated it to Sir James, the fifth Baronet of Gartmore and a supporter of many charitable causes.
Primary seven pupil Rebecca Quirie gave a dedication to Sir James at the planting ceremony.
She said: ”Sir James Cayzer was a supporter of many charitable causes including Newtyle School. He attended many drama shows and supported them generously.
”The school has benefited greatly from his contributions and he was always interested in what the children were doing.
”After he visited the school, Sir James always took time to write to the children to tell them how well they had done and how much he had enjoyed their drama show.
”Today, we are planting this tree in his memory and in recognition of his kindness.”
Mr Cayzer said he was honoured to attend on behalf of his family, and added: ”He was very keen on the spring, so the fact that it’s a cherry tree would make him extremely pleased.
”He was a great supporter of the Newtyle School, and very much liked visiting, especially the drama class. He gave a cup here many, many years ago and the cup was given for good behaviour.”
Mrs Cayzer said: ”He was a great supporter of the village.”
Eco Group member Anne Steel, a retired teacher at the school, recalled many years of good relations between Sir James and the people of the area.
”Whenever he asked is there anything you need, we would get it the next day,” she said. ”It got to the stage where we didn’t admit to it because we were embarrassed.”
Referring to Sir James’ tendency to write in thick, blue pen, Mrs Steel added: ”There was always a letter the day after the drama production, which we sometimes had a job reading.”
Mr Cayzer added: ”He’d have been very touched at the thought of school children planting the tree. He loved everything to do with this part of the world.”
Sir James was a patron of the Red Cross in Tayside, and a supporter of the Scots Guards Association and the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association.
Maggie’s Centres also enjoyed his support.