A STREET in a new housing development in Musselburgh has been named after local stalwart Robert Clark, who founded a children’s concert party more than 50 years ago.

The naming of Clark Avenue, which is situated in Taylor Wimpey’s new Almond Park development off Pinkie Road, has delighted his family and members of the concert party which still bears his name.

Irene Grant, of the Clark Concert Party, nominated Mr Clark for a new street name via Musselburgh and Inveresk Community Council.

She said: “All of the concert party are absolutely delighted and very, very proud of this huge honour which has been bestowed in Robert’s memory.”

Mrs Grant was one of the concert party’s first members, playing Snow White in its first production in 1960 after the group, then called the St Ninian’s Junior Concert party, was formed by Mr Clark and his friend Rod Gibson in November 1959.

A former Musselburgh Citizen of the Year, Mr Clark was the concert party’s inspiration and chairman for five decades until his death in 2009; a year later the Clark Community Choir was also founded as a tribute to him.

His sisters, Jean Innes and Nancy Clark, have also visited the road to view the sign.

Nancy said: “It’s amazing to see he is still in so many hearts. Tears were rolling but in a great way. What a great way to keep Robert’s name alive.”

Mrs Grant added: “He not only took rehearsals three times a week, he ran every child home from them, took them on holiday all over the continent every year as well as swimming, ice skating, concerts, theatre and day trips every week.

“We ensure that the children with us today know about Robert – who he was and what he did for children for over 50 years – keeping his memory alive for us all.”

The concert party is now on to its fourth generation of children from the same family, with Amy, Kai and Honour MacLeod joining mum Laura, her mum Margaret Johnstone and their great-aunt Margaret Wilson to express their delight at the street name gesture.

Irene Tait, chairwoman of Musselburgh and Inveresk Community Council, said: “It is lovely that the street has been named after Robert Clark. He was such a lovely person.”

The concert party started back at rehearsals this week. It meets at Musselburgh East Community Learning Centre on Haddington Road every Monday from 6pm to 9pm. Youngsters aged eight to 18 are welcome to join.

The next show will be The Miracle of Mossybrae, a story based on the musical Brigadoon which will be staged at the end of March in the Loretto Senior Theatre. Mr Clark wrote eight shows which are still used today in rotation on an annual basis.

If anyone would like to be entertained free-of-charge by the Clark Community Choir, visit its website at clarkcommunitychoir.co.uk