A Fife community has come together to create a lasting tribute to a loving husband and father who was killed in a road accident in January.
Alistair Forbes, 47, died after being struck by a vehicle while walking alongside the A91 near Collessie on Saturday January 30 – sparking an outpouring of grief from the close-knit villages affected by the tragedy.
Mr Forbes, who lived with his wife Catriona and daughters Elizabeth and Helen, was well-known in the area as a talented carpenter, furniture maker and designer, and operated his own bespoke furniture business from his home at Four Acres in Giffordtown.
Local people gathered recently to plant a tree in memory of the popular woodcraftsman, who loved the look and feel of wood in all its forms.
Residents of Giffordtown, Charlottetown and Edentown have high hopes for the sessile oak planted in the grounds of Giffordtown Hall, and chose the species as it is known for being slow-growing and long-living.
After a ceremony conducted by Doug Wightman, of the Giffordtown Hall committee, Catriona, Helen and Elizabeth took turns to throw spadefuls of soil on to the tree roots, followed by a succession of family members and friends.
Ribbons festooning the tree were slowly removed and an acorn bell was hung from one of the branches before those present gathered in the hall afterwards to talk about their memories of Mr Forbes.
Howe Rotarian Monique Sanders said of the ceremony: “It was an opportunity to share memories of Alastair and remember the part he played in village life.”
Mr Forbes passed away after the accident involving a silver Volkswagen Beetle near the junction with the B937 at around 9pm on January 30.
After the accident, Mrs Forbes and family released a statement saying: “Alistair was a loving husband and father who will be sadly missed by all who knew him.”
John Arbuckle, secretary of Giffordtown and District Community Council, added: “It was a big shock to everybody in the village when we heard about it and he will be greatly missed.”
