Tributes have been paid to a well-loved and respected Kilmarnock man.
James 'Jim' Bircham passed away on Saturday, January 22 following a lengthy battle with prostate cancer. He was 79.
Well known throughout the town for his various endeavours, Jim is perhaps best known for his work with visually impaired people.
Jim lost his right eye after a random visit to the opticians discovered a tumour and he had to have an operation.
He was a project manager for the visually impaired, setting up the charity Kilmarnock & Loudoun District social, recreational and communication club 40 years ago for those with visual impairment joining social events.
Members host their club at the West Netherton Bowling Club every Monday, enjoying tea, coffee, biscuits and quizzes. One member of the club said: “Jim is the blind club.”
Jim played five-a-side football until he was 70 and also loved playing golf. He was always a fit and active man enjoying sports, including football, with several teams in Ayrshire and won many accolades, trophies and medals.
A Kilmarnock FC fan, Jim would bring other visually impaired supporters to Rugby Park, they would wear headphones and he would commentate to these listeners at the live games.
Jim would lead the Scottish Blind Bowlers, as president, around the world, visiting Canada, Israel and New Zealand with enormous success, and was a member of local bowling clubs.
As well as establishing the blind club, Jim set up the Talking Newspaper service in East and North Ayrshire which enabled visually impaired people to catch up on vital local news.
Previously working at Glenfield and Rolls Royce, Jim then found work with the council to train visually impaired people on how to use their white sticks.
He stayed with this job, one which he very much enjoyed, until he retired at the age of 70.
Around this time, Jim joined the Church of Scotland at St Kentigern's; doing so much for the community with the Boys' Brigade as Captain. He also nurtured his presbytery to preach to the congregation at other churches in the Ayrshire area, joined Riccarton Parish Church and spent a couple of years at Possilpark, Glasgow.
Jim supported his wife Jacqueline, who had Myotonic Dystrophy, until she died suddenly on April 6, 2021.
He was a very keen and eager gardener. Recently, he had won the best garden title for his area for three consecutive years.
And last year he received a first lifetime achievement award after being in the competition for 40 years.
Rikki Farquharson, production manager for Ayrshire Recording Services for the Blind, said: "Jim was a highly active man, being captain of the Boys' Brigade, involved with the St Kentigern's Church, Riccarton Church and others in Ayrshire and Possilpark, Glasgow.
"He was an incredibly good football player, winning lots of medals and trophies, played five-a-side football until he was 70 and was a keen golfer and bowler. He was also president of Scotland blind bowlers, travelling to Canada, New Zealand, and Israel, with the team winning many tournaments.
"Jim worked in social care for 35 years until he was 70 years old, supporting visually impaired people on how to use their aids.
"Jim knew and touched so many people and will be sadly missed by all."
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