Tributes to ex-police chief and Hawick councillor

Tributes have been paid to a conscientious police chief and forthright town councillor from Hawick following his death at the age of 82.
Former police chief and Scottish Borders Councillor Andrew Farquhar.Former police chief and Scottish Borders Councillor Andrew Farquhar.
Former police chief and Scottish Borders Councillor Andrew Farquhar.

Andrew Farquhar died peacefully at Hawick Community Hospital on Saturday.

He served his early career as a police officer in Duns before becoming a detective constable in Hawick, later serving as a uniform inspector in Galashiels, prior to returning to Hawick as detective chief inspector.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

As his career progressed he was appointed head of CID in ‘G’ Division of Lothian and Borders Police before promotion to superintendent and deputy divisional commander for the division prior to his retirement. Mr Farquhar went on to represent the Wilton ward in Hawick as an independent councillor from May 2003 to April 2007.

During his time on the local authority he was also joint chairman of the education executive.

Known for his endless volunteering and charity work, his contribution to the town has been recognised with tributes from those who knew and admired him.

George Peden, 75, retired chief executive at Barrie Knitwear in Hawick, went hill walking in the Cheviots and beyond with Andrew and a group of friends for 18 years until the ex-police chief’s health failed last April.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said: “With Andrew being an ex-councillor a lot of the discussions on a Thursday morning were over what was happening in local government and Andrew had very strong views. He had so much knowledge on different subjects and was so interesting to talk to. He was a gentleman.

“Just before he took ill last April we had been on a walk and we’d had our packed lunches and I just made comment that there was Andrew at 81, striding on. The day after the walk he was taken into hospital and had an operation.

“If we’d been talking away on the Thursday and there was something I wasn’t really sure of I could rest assured that by the Thursday evening I would have an email from him filling me in on the missing information. I’ll miss him as a good friend.”

Hawick provost Watson McAteer, himself a former divisional police commander in the Borders, said Mr Farquhar was a mentor and friend, adding: “Andrew was a truly professional police officer who cut his career as a highly effective detective involved in many challenging cases.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“He was a great character admired by all of his colleagues and those he met both professionally and socially. He was very passionate about his job and the police service, and extremely caring when supporting the victims of crime. He was personally a great friend and mentor without whose guidance and counsel I certainly would not have made the progress I did in the police service. He will be sadly missed.”

Hawick and Denholm councillor Stuart Marshall said the town would be saddened to learn of Mr Farquhar’s death.

He said: “Over the years he contributed immensely to our community and even in retirement he turned up at public meetings showing a genuine interest in what was going on in the community.

“He was a huge champion of the walking festival and indeed any other activities that brought visitors to our town.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“What I admired most was that he was a straight talker and a genuine man who told it as it was and he had nothing but the very best interests of Hawick at heart. He will be missed by so many people and our town I think wont be quite the same without him.”

Fellow Hawick and Denholm councillor Clair Ramage recalled the support Mr Farquhar had given her when she was elected three years ago.

She said: “I first met Andrew at the Denholm hustings when I was standing as a councillor in 2017. Since then I met Andrew fundraising in our local supermarkets and when he was attending the Future Hawick meetings. He would always stop to talk to me about issues around my council work and he was always supportive and I appreciated his advice and words of encouragement. Andrew’s focus was very much about what was best for Hawick and he will be a huge miss in our town.”

Andrew was married to the late Nan, and is father of Heather and the late Craig.

At his request the funeral will be held in private. PK

Related topics: