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School plaque unveiled in honour of singer Sydney Devine

BBC A woman with short blonde hair pulls a red cover off of a plaque. Chidren and adults in waterproof clothing watch from behind herBBC
Sydney Devine's daughter Karen unveiled the plaque in Cleland

A memorial plaque celebrating the life and legacy of Scottish singer Sydney Devine has been unveiled at a North Lanarkshire primary school.

The star, whole sold more than 15 million albums during a career spanning seven decades, died in 2021 aged 81 after an illness.

Devine, who was born in the Lanarkshire village of Cleland in 1940, was best known for his version of the song Tiny Bubbles. He received an MBE in 2003.

His former school Cleland Primary has hung a plaque in his honour, which was unveiled by his daughter Karen Devine.

"I can't thank everyone enough for bringing this to fruition," she said. "My dad would have been overjoyed at the final result.

"It's so poignant that a memorial plaque is erected outside Cleland Primary, where my dad spent his happy formative years."

PA Media Sydney Devine smiles at the camera. He wears a kilt with a grey blazer, green tie and white shirt, with tartan wrapped around his shoulder and a red poppy pinned to his chest. He holds his MBE up for the camera. PA Media
Sydney Devine received an MBE for his charity work in 2003

She laid 18 yellow roses - the title of another of his hit songs - as a mark of remembrance and appreciation for his life and career.

After the grand reveal on Thursday, pupils from both Cleland and St Mary's primary schools performed Tiny Bubbles in the school hall and displayed their artwork inspired by Devine.

Devine was born in Mayfield Cottage in Bellside, one of eight children. North Lanarkshire Council said the tribute reflects the affinity he felt for the village.

Councillor Geraldine Woods said a woman who runs a fan page for Devine contacted the council to ask whether something could be done to commemorate him in the village.

"So, we decided that a memorial plaque should be installed outside the school, funded through our local development programme," she added.

Children in waterproof clothing gather round a black memorial plaque to Sydney Devine MBE. The have tubes of soapy liquid with wands blowing bubbles in the wind
The unveiling was followed by a performance of Tiny Bubbles by Cleland pupils

As a young boy, Devine first attracted attention for his remarkable ability to imitate bird calls.

His talent caught the attention of Scottish tenor Robert Wilson, who invited him to whistle during the recording of his song Cottage By The Lee.

Wilson, a well-known variety performer and in the 1950s an early presenter of the White Heather Club, took the young Devine under his wing.

He would spend more than a decade performing around the world with the White Heather Group before later developing into country music in the 1970s.

Devine soon became widely known for his lively personality, distinctive singing voice and sparkling rhinestone-covered stage outfits.

Grainy BBC archive footage of Sydney Devine who is wearing a rhinestone red body suit while strumming an acoustic guitar. A band can be seen in the shadows behind him
The country singer became known for his distinctive singing voice and sparkling outfits

Devine was a regular performer at Glasgow's Pavilion Theatre, with fans travelling across the world to see him.

He will forever be associated with songs such as Legend in My Time, Scotland Forever and Maggie.

At the height of his career, Devine appeared on the Queen's Jubilee bill with Michael Jackson, supported Roy Orbison and worked with country legends Charlie Pride and Dolly Parton.

He was also a big supporter of the Marie Curie Foundation cancer charity.