AN EAST Lothian legend is being honoured this week in a five-part radio series.

Al Beck was a well-known figure in the county and had been involved with Humbie, East & West Saltoun and Bolton Community Council for more than 20 years until he passed away from cancer in 2020.

Mr Beck was co-manager at Humbie Hub, which includes a shop, cafe, Post Office and community space, and was instrumental in starting Humbie Box Office, the village film group.

Writer and musician Karine Polwart, based in Midlothian, was a neighbour to Mr Beck and was inspired by her memories of him to create a new radio series.

Featuring five short programmes, Forever Songs is airing on BBC Radio 3 every day this week; it began on Monday and concludes tomorrow (Friday) at 9.45pm.

In 2020, Karine extended an invitation to Mr Beck to learn a set of his favourite songs so she could stage a special back-garden gig. The pair stayed in touch throughout his final months as he navigated late-stage cancer at home with his family.

Al Beck watching the garden concert in 2020. Image: John M Beck

Listeners meet Mr Beck through his witty email trail, incorporating nine of his most beloved songs – featuring psychedelic folk and a Scots lullaby, classic songwriting and sharp political commentary.

Karine said: “You’ll get a sense of how my gift of a tiny back-garden concert for Al became a gorgeous shared creative endeavour, and a huge gift to me in return.”