MUSSELBURGH stalwart Frankie Grant, a former Honest Lad and president of the Honest Toun's Association, has died suddenly but peacefully. He was 76.

Born on November 11, 1946, at 11 Mitchell Street in Musselburgh, the son of Lenny and Nellie Grant, he went on to be active in the Musselburgh community throughout his life.

He went to Campie School, where he first discovered a knack for being a goalkeeper.

At Musselburgh Grammar School, he continued his sporting activities, playing rugby for the school 1st XV, captaining the school basketball team to the Scottish Cup and turning out for Musselburgh Windsor Football Club. He also enjoyed cricket, golf and hill walking.

Mr Grant was heavily involved in the committees of both the Honest Toun’s Association and Musselburgh RFC. He also served on Musselburgh & Inveresk Community Council.

He was elected as Honest Lad in 1968 along with Kay Gifford as Honest Lass and attendants George Dodds, Rob Gilfillan, Alice King and Jennifer Lang, to lead the annual Musselburgh Festival.

During that year, he made lifelong friends from the Scottish Borders, many of whom he stayed in touch with for the rest of his life.

East Lothian Courier: Young Frankie Grant was Honest Lad in 1968

After 1968, he continued to support the festival and was president in 2004.

He was also a member of the 1995 Riding of the Marches organising committee.

Mr Grant met Irene Goulding, from Musselburgh, while working as a bus conductor and they married in 1972. Son Barry was born in 1975 and daughter Fiona in 1978.

Fiona was an attendant at the 2000 Musselburgh Festival, while Barry’s election as Honest Lad in 1994 remains the only time a father and son have held the position.

Fiona’s appointment to the position of turf cutter’s assistant for the 2016 Riding of the Marches represented the first female appointment to the Riding of the Marches official party, and was a source of great pride to Mr Grant.

East Lothian Courier: A proud moment for Frankie Grant, who was Honest Lad in 1968, with daughter Fiona and son Barry at the 2016 Riding of the Marches. Fiona made history as the first female to hold a position in the Riding of the Marches official party when became Turf

A proud moment for Frankie Grant, who was Honest Lad in 1968, with daughter Fiona and son Barry at the 2016 Riding of the Marches

Latterly, he kept busy through attending the Musselburgh Computer Club and meeting friends for breakfast and coffee in town. He remained an avid supporter of Musselburgh Rugby Club throughout his life, attending matches as often as he could.

Mr Grant, of Whitehill Gardens, passed away at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh on April 11.

His funeral is next Thursday (May 11) at noon in the main chapel at Mortonhall Crematorium, Edinburgh. Family flowers only but all are welcome to attend.

A funeral tea will be held afterwards in Musselburgh Rugby Club, where fond memories of Mr Grant can be shared.