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Hawick's tribute to its famous son Hawick's tribute to its famous son
(20 minutes later)
The people of Hawick turned out in force to say farewell to one of their most famous sons.The people of Hawick turned out in force to say farewell to one of their most famous sons.
Some of them squeezed into the little Teviot Church, others stood quietly outside while many lined the High Street to pay their respects.Some of them squeezed into the little Teviot Church, others stood quietly outside while many lined the High Street to pay their respects.
All this for Bill McLaren, the "voice of rugby", a man they all seemed proud to call one of their own.All this for Bill McLaren, the "voice of rugby", a man they all seemed proud to call one of their own.
A cold, grey Borders morning did not dissuade people from coming to honour the great sporting commentator.A cold, grey Borders morning did not dissuade people from coming to honour the great sporting commentator.
His grandson, Gregor Lawson, told all those who gathered to pay tribute that his grandfather might well have wondered what all the fuss was about and what they were all doing there.His grandson, Gregor Lawson, told all those who gathered to pay tribute that his grandfather might well have wondered what all the fuss was about and what they were all doing there.
'Great man' Bill McLaren said a day away from Hawick was a day wasted class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/8479309.stm">In Pictures: Bill McLaren's funeral class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/south_of_scotland/8474324.stm">Final farewell for Bill McLaren class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/8468584.stm">Obituary: Bill McLaren class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/south_of_scotland/8468572.stm">In Pictures: Bill McLaren
However, what shone through from his funeral service was that Bill McLaren was something out of the ordinary.However, what shone through from his funeral service was that Bill McLaren was something out of the ordinary.
He was clearly well-loved by his family, respected by the sporting world and viewed with great affection by his community.He was clearly well-loved by his family, respected by the sporting world and viewed with great affection by his community.
It was a feeling which was definitely reciprocated for, wherever he went, he was proud of his Borders roots - and handed out his favourite sweets, Hawick Balls.It was a feeling which was definitely reciprocated for, wherever he went, he was proud of his Borders roots - and handed out his favourite sweets, Hawick Balls.
They were given out to mourners at his funeral.They were given out to mourners at his funeral.
The service was attended by family, friends and famous figures from the world of rugby.The service was attended by family, friends and famous figures from the world of rugby.
They were all given a small insight into different aspects of the man.They were all given a small insight into different aspects of the man.
People queued to make their way into the Teviot Church for the service Great man
His grandson spoke movingly of his "Papa", a man with a sweet-tooth, a quick tongue and great love of his family.His grandson spoke movingly of his "Papa", a man with a sweet-tooth, a quick tongue and great love of his family.
"We're here to lay to rest a great man," he said."We're here to lay to rest a great man," he said.
"A great Hawick man, a great rugby man and a great family man.""A great Hawick man, a great rugby man and a great family man."
There was also a tribute in verse delivered expertly by Ian Landles to the "Man that oo ca' Bill".There was also a tribute in verse delivered expertly by Ian Landles to the "Man that oo ca' Bill".
It captured the spirit of a man who rose to the top of his profession and yet never got "gey big-heided".It captured the spirit of a man who rose to the top of his profession and yet never got "gey big-heided".
Finally, the Reverend Neil Combe drew proceedings to a close by trying to sum up what could be learned from Bill McLaren.Finally, the Reverend Neil Combe drew proceedings to a close by trying to sum up what could be learned from Bill McLaren.
"Bill never, ever took his gifts and skills for granted," he said."Bill never, ever took his gifts and skills for granted," he said.
The minister said Bill had nearly been killed by tuberculosis as a young man but used that "experience and adversity" to turn his life in a different direction.The minister said Bill had nearly been killed by tuberculosis as a young man but used that "experience and adversity" to turn his life in a different direction.
"Had it not been for that we would never have had the voice of rugby," he added."Had it not been for that we would never have had the voice of rugby," he added.
Bowed heads People queued to make their way into the Teviot Church for the service
It was a role which earned him tributes the world over but none would probably have meant more to him than to be honoured by his own folk.It was a role which earned him tributes the world over but none would probably have meant more to him than to be honoured by his own folk.
He once said that a day away from his hometown was "a day wasted".He once said that a day away from his hometown was "a day wasted".
That affection was returned by local residents who lined the route of his funeral cortege as it made its way through Hawick.That affection was returned by local residents who lined the route of his funeral cortege as it made its way through Hawick.
A round of applause broke out as it passed along the town's High Street towards his final resting place.A round of applause broke out as it passed along the town's High Street towards his final resting place.
All sections of the community appeared to have turned out to pay their last respects to a man who put the town on the world sporting map.All sections of the community appeared to have turned out to pay their last respects to a man who put the town on the world sporting map.
Many bowed their heads for a moment to think of their own favourite memory of Bill McLaren.Many bowed their heads for a moment to think of their own favourite memory of Bill McLaren.
There was no dancing in the streets of Hawick - simply quiet pride and respect.There was no dancing in the streets of Hawick - simply quiet pride and respect.