Jim

Yesterday, the AKs performed their toughest gig yet as we stood next to the wicker casket of our much beloved fellow singer, Jim Grant, and sung our hearts out to Jim, Dawn, Zack and Marnie and the several hundred others who packed the church to say goodbye to a hugely respected, accomplished and loved man.

The sun streamed through the stain glass windows of the imposing Cirencester church that dates back to the 12th century, and regardless of one's personal beliefs, the sense of ritual and permanence was both consoling and awe-inspiring.

We heard moving eulogies from Jim's children, Zack and Marnie, and from friends and colleagues and it reminded me how many roles we perform in life: as child, sibling, friend, spouse, parent, colleague and so on. To us he was ... Jim, who sung with us, gave impromptu archaeology talks when we were away in unusual places, and gave so much of his time and wisdom to us. Yesterday we witnessed just how important Jim was to so many for so many reasons. As principal of Cirencester College it was clear that his passionate ideas on education were highly influential and he set high standards for both himself and those he worked with.

A quiet, unassuming man, he wore his intellect and accomplishments lightly but always spoke up in defense of what he believed in. I remember singing in the pub after one of our last gigs together and felt his arm go over my shoulders in the camaraderie that I have come to so appreciate among the AKs who have been through so much together over the last 15 years.

The last song Jim ever sung with us was 'Parting Glass' in The Saracen's Head in Bath. Later that night he was gone. We sung two songs for him in the church: the Undertones' 'Get Over You', a song much loved by Jim for its punk and Derry roots, and 'Parting Glass', a deeply fitting and poignant song.

Emotions threatened and I felt one line falter for just a moment until we pushed through and just sung. The church sung back at us with its warm resonant reverb - Jim would have loved it.

June 2023