Fifer honoured for 50 years in agriculture industry

Jim Ross has been given a gold award by the Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland, celebrating 50 years in the trade.

The 72-year-old started with TM Simpson tractor service in Ceres in 1962, repairing and selling agricultural machinery. He later worked at the Dalgety Bay depot and remained with the company until it folded last year.

“It was a good industry,” said Jim.

“Now it’s a bit more competitive and there are not as many franchises. It’s more technically advanced because of all the computer systems.

“There’s been a lot of changes.

“Now you sit in the cab with all the modern components. It was more of a profession in the old days because of the experience you needed to run the machines.”

Jim semi-retired when he was 65 but continued to work with the company to cover holidays. He retired last year and now spends his time working The Wemyss Improvement Group (TWIG) working to make the village better, where he lives with his wife Margaret.

“It’s good work and enhances the village,” Jim said of the group, which was shortlisted for a community champion award earlier this month.

He admits he was not expecting to get an award for 50 years of service, for which he received a certificate and a medal.

“It was a lovely award,” he told the Mail.