The town of Arbroath has lost one of its best-known and most respected professionals with the passing of photographer Jim Ratcliffe. He was 78.
Through a career behind the lens which stretched over more than 40 years and a dedicated involvement with a host of town organisations, South Shields-born Jim became synonymous with the Angus burgh, including capturing its events as a freelance photographer for The Courier down those decades.
Following his death in Roxburgh House in Dundee warm tributes have been paid from figures within local organisations including Arbroath Rotary Club, of which he was a former president, and the town’s Cancer Research UK Relay for Life, in which Jim participated last September during his battle with the cruel disease.
A spokesman for Arbroath Relay for Life said: “The passing of Jim Ratcliffe is a grievous loss for his family and close friends.
“Jim was a great professional and a true gentleman. As an active member of the local community Jim gave far more than he took and our community was greatly enriched by his works.”
Just one example of Jim’s generosity came a year ago when he donated to Arbroath’s Signal Tower Museum his collection of 75,000 photo negatives of life in Arbroath and the wider Angus area.
He said at the time: “I loved doing the job there aren’t many occupations where you go to so many places and meet so many people and get paid for it.”
* For a full tribute to Jim, see Saturday’s Courier.