Real lives: East Lothian stalwart Thomas remembered for his dedication

Published on Monday 15 June 2009 10:02

Thomas Somerville Main, a saddler and former councillor who spent a lifetime serving the East Lothian community has died, aged 58.

Born on 1 July, 1950, Mr Main was the second son of saddler Fergus and Margaret Main and attended Haddington Primary School and Knox Academy before working briefly in the civil service.

He then went to Walsall to finish his apprenticeship in saddlery and joined the family business of JS Main and Sons on Haddington High Street.

He was an active member of the East Lothian Conservative and Unionist Association and became a member of East Lothian District Council from its inception, leaving only to become more committed to the family business following his father's retirement.

After his father's retirement, he took over the business with his brother and opened a second shop selling country clothing next door.

Through his membership in the Haddington Amateur Operatic Society he met his wife to be, Marion, who was playing piano in a production of Oliver in which he had a part. The couple married in July 1974 and settled in Dunbar and their daughter Rosemary was born in 1976.

When Mrs Main became conductor of Dunbar and District Choral Society in 1988, he was a tower of strength in all sorts of ways – in the staging of weekly rehearsals as well as concerts and memorable visits to France, including a prestigious concert in Bourges Cathedral in 1995.

He was a member of Dunbar's twinning committee from 1991 and was chairman of Dunbar Grammar School Board from 1988 to 1990.

He was also secretary and treasurer to the town's Civic Week, retiring from these posts just last year.

In 1984 Mr Main became an elder in Belhaven Parish Church and thereafter played an important part in church life, serving on the congregational board and the finance committee. His family and faith helped him through a long and trying illness.

Mrs Main said: "Family life was all important for him and the driving force of his final year.

"It gave him great joy to see our daughter Rosemary married last year. We were able to visit her and her husband Chris in their new home in Surrey quite a few times and he was delighted to be able to help them settle in.

"Our last visit was only a month before he died and it was a very happy time for us all."

The high attendance at his funeral earlier this month was evidence of the esteem in which he was held by the whole community.

Mrs Main added: "I was greatly comforted and strengthened by the overwhelming attendance from all walks of life at his funeral."