Honorary President Alex Fraser

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of Alex Fraser, I'm sure that is shared by many in the meat trade throughout Scotland. Alex funeral was on Thursday 4 November an attended by a full Kirk of people from all walks of life, understandably there was a large number of representatives from the meat trade and having talked with most of them, it was suggested by John Chapman that someone from the North East should write SFMTA remembering Alex Fraser and what he stood for.

I knew Alex from childhood, as his wife Nan was a distant relation of my mother. Alex and my father had much more to talk about both being in the trade. Alex always had a better idea, which he shared with everyone involved in the meat business. He built a very successful butchers business in Forres.

Alex was an honorary president of SFMTA and he encouraged everyone in the trade to get involved at local and national level. He knew the value and strength of an organisation such as SFMTA and faithfully made the journey to Perth introducing new faces throughout the years. I shared many a journey with Alex and there was always some little nugget he brought to your attention.

Not only was Alex a successful businessman, who claimed to be the only butcher to buy a bank (where he set up his last shop, to perfection) but also he was very active in the community. The Church, Boy Scouts, Photography and local Council all benefited from Alex input not forgetting he was made a “Burgess of Forres”. Alex Fraser, a true gentleman will be sorely missed.

From John Stewart, Banff