Obituary: Keith sport and charity linchpin (94) who ran with Commonwealth Baton at 84
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A LIFELONG dedication to local sport and the community has been recognised, following the death of James (Jimmy) Green at 94.
Jimmy, a husband, father and pillar of the Keith community, passed away on January 6.
For more than 60 years, he was closely involved with Keith Cricket Club, and spent decades with the Royal Observer Corps and local charity organisations.
Jimmy also wrote Northern Scot sister paper the Banffshire Herald's cricket reports, under the name Our Man from the Covers.
His love of cricket was inspired by seeing legendary Australian cricketer Don Bradman’s final match in 1948, which saw him fashion his first bat from an old block of wood and start playing with his brothers and neighbours in the evenings.
During his generations of involvement with the cricket club he played, coached young players, served as Match Secretary, and umpired games late into his retirement.
In 2014, Jimmy proudly carried the baton for the Commonwealth Games – marking his incredible dedication to local sport.
Speaking in the Northern Scot article published after his Commonwealth Baton honour, he spoke of his pride.
“It was certainly an experience. It was once in a lifetime, and it was magic,” said Jimmy, who had friends drive through from Aberdeen and Findhorn to cheer him on.
“It will only ever happen once in my lifetime.”
Jimmy was born on August 27, 1929 in Cairnie and grew up on a rural Banffshire farm.
Attending the small, local, Shenwell School he later worked tirelessly on his relative’s farm for many years.
Though the days were long and arduous, Jimmy approached each task with care, dedication, and his trademark sense of humour.
In 1955, Jimmy married his beloved wife Margaret who passed away in 1995 after 40 years together.
Together, Jimmy and Margaret raised their much-cherished son Neil.
After nearly 20 years on the farm, Jimmy began a new chapter in 1966 working as a mobile librarian for Banffshire Library.
He thrived in this role for 28 years, bringing the gift of books and his kind, cheerful presence to readers in even the most remote villages across the region.
Beyond his professional life, Jimmy had a spirit of adventure and curiosity.
He travelled widely across Scotland and England, touring cricket grounds and taking youth hostel trips in his early days.
In later years, he explored the Orkney and Shetland Islands that he loved with his family.
And while Jimmy was a homebody at heart, possessing a true Scotsman’s restraint for travel, he did venture abroad at least once.
In 2013 he joined a bus trip to Holland, surely charming his fellow travellers along the way.
Jimmy was also involved for many years behind the bar – first at the Seafield Hotel, and later at the Royal British Legion Club here in Keith.
He loved connecting with people over a dram and some lively conversation.
Jimmy was also deeply involved with the Royal Observer Corps for over 30 years, working his way up the ranks to serve his community.
And in 1994, after retiring from the libraries, he began driving for the Keith Caring Club – just one more way to connect with and help others in town.
Delivering Jimmy's eulogy, Reverend Wiekus van Straaten said: "Yes, today we mourn the passing of Jimmy Green.
"But even more so, we celebrate the full, rich, meaningful life and legacy he leaves.
"To the family and friends of this fine gentleman – thank you for sharing him with us all these years.
"May we pass on that same spirit of joy, service, and community to future generations.
"Let’s close today with Jimmy’s own wise, simple motto for living: 'Do your best at all times and be helpful when possible'.
"Our community was certainly better because of him."
