Subject:  Memorial of mixed emotions at Tam Paton's farewell service |
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Cathy
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Date Posted: 00:55:04 04/27/09 Mon
Date: 25 April 2009
By SUE GYFORD
EVEN the minister at Tam Paton's funeral had to admit that it would be a day of mixed emotions.
The Reverend Bob Glover, opening the memorial for the controversial Bay City Rollers manager, told the congregation at Mortonhall Crematorium's main chapel: "This is not a place for judging. The God I believe in died for sinners. If any of us feel like judging, probably there's no place for us in this assembly. We're also here for healing. There's been a lot of talk about hurt and disappointment and I make no attempt to hide any of that, but I'm glad to do the service for the family."
Rev Glover said he had come to know Paton's family well while comforting them as allegations surrounding his life hit the headlines.
Paton was accused by band members Les McKeown and Pat McGlynn of raping them and was imprisoned in 1982 for indecency with teenage boys. In 2004 he was convicted of drug dealing but cleared on appeal. He was arrested last September over allegations he was dealing class C drugs, but was bailed for health reasons.
With disputes around the Rollers' royalties continuing right until his death, it was perhaps not surprising that only one of them attended the service – Nobby Clark, the band's first singer.
He was one of around 200 mourners who saw Paton's large coffin wheeled into the chapel.
The cortege had travelled from the Gogar home where Paton died of a suspected heart attack in the bath on April 8 at the age of 70.
In his eulogy, nephew Phillipe Boussiere did not attempt to dodge the more controversial aspects of his uncle's life, but contrasted them to the "enigmatic, charming and above all cheerful person", he remembered.
Mr Boussiere's tribute recounted his uncle's early life, working for his family's potato merchant firm and demonstrating great enthusiasm and talent for music.
But he added: "Although the family knew him, we all sensed that we could not understand him. He moved in circles many of us may feel glad not to know. A large number of articles in the public domain express opinions and recount events that bear no relationship to the man we knew."
He added: "We have such love and respect for this man that despite all we have read, our gut instinct is this was a good man."
He also revealed that Paton had given his entire fortune – rumoured to be worth millions – to charity, commenting: "I think he felt that if he had the ability to earn it, so did we. He chose to help those who were less fortunate."
After the service, Nobby Clark said he had hoped fellow Rollers Stuart "Woody" Wood and Alan Longmuir might have attended: "I had heard a wee rumour that Woody and Alan were going to turn up, but when I spoke to Alan, he said they wouldn't be here."
He added: "I've got a long, long history with Tam and I just want to come along to remember the good times that we had
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