Around 600 people attended a commemoration service at Loretto School in Musselburgh to mark the 50th Anniversary of the death of racing legend Jim Clark. Jim Clark OBE was a pupil at Loretto from 1949-1952. Acknowledged as one of the greatest drivers ever, the racing world was devastated by the news on 7th April 1968, that he had crashed on a remote part of the circuit at Hockenheim in Germany and been killed. Jim was just 32.
Pupils past and present, his family and invited guests including East Lothian Councillors and the representatives from the world of racing gathered in the Chapel for what was later described as a 'fitting tribute' to Clark. The service was filmed by Sky Sports F1, which will show sections of it in July.
Two large TV screens were visible behind the alter showing photographs of Clark at School and during his career. Film footage of his racing was screened, the noise on track brought to life by surrounding speakers set up in the Chapel. There were video tributes from Formula1 world champions Sir Jackie Stewart - who won the title 3 times - and Sir Damon Hill, former motorsport team boss Eddie Jordan, current Formula 1 drivers Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon, and Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft. A tribute in the Chapel was also given by Neil Kennedy a former Loretto pupil with Clark who, as an air-traffic controller, ensured the plane carrying Clark's body back from Germany got immediate landing at a busy Edinburgh Airport.
The main address was given by Canon Scott Smith, Lay Canon at St Nicholas Cathedral in Newcastle who was also at Loretto with Clark. Outside the Chapel two of Clark's Lotus Elan cars were much admired by pupils and visitors alike. Pipers from loretto played The Rose of Kelvingrove.