Remembrance

Jim Clark died on Sunday April 7th 1968 at Hockenheim race circuit. That day it felt as if motor racing died of a broken heart and it changed forever. As with the death of President John F Kennedy, people remember where they were when they heard the news.

image of jim clark in lotus car

Hockenheim 7th April 1968 © H. Heckel

Almost 7000 people attended the funeral and visited the grave during the following weeks.
The church beadle said, “never before in my 60 years have I seen so many people in this churchyard”.

On Sunday 14th May 1968, Miss Janet Clinkscale was in her cottage beside the Kirk watching ‘Songs of Praise’ on her television. From her window, Janet could see scores of visitors passing her cottage to visit Jim’s grave. When Kenneth McKellar began to sing ‘When I Survey the Wondrous Cross’, Janet turned up the volume and opened her front door so the visitors could hear as well. As Kenneth’s voice soared out into the still, sunny evening, one person began to sing and soon everyone joined in, including the village bobby.

im’s funeral at Chirnside Parish Church Family photo used with permission

Jim’s funeral at Chirnside Parish Church
Family photo used with permission

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