A PEEBLESSHIRE priest has secured his £1,000 fundraising goal which will see his dream to record an album become a reality.

Rev Jim Benton Evans, Rector at St Peter’s Peebles & St Andrew’s Innerleithen set himself the challenge to raise the money in September after travelling to America while on sabbatical from the church.

During his break between April and August this year, Rev Jim took the time to reflect on his 13 years of service as a priest, which also aided in his inspirations to writing several of his songs.

Humbled by the support, Jim told the Peeblesshire News: "I’m recording the album at the Sound Cafe at Nine Mile Burn with producer and engineer Ross Arthur.

"I’ve already spent two full days there recording lead vocals, lead ukulele and backing ukulele: I’ve got another half day booked in just before Christmas to record backing vocals with my daughter Tabitha (a student at St Andrew’s University and member of the National Youth Choir of Scotland). 

"There’ll be some additional recording to do on location before the CD is mixed and mastered, and then it’ll go off to the duplicators.

"Altogether, nearly 40 people donated to the campaign. Loads more supported it in other ways, including promoting it among their circles, coming to hear the songs played live and being especially encouraging about the music. 

"Indeed, several people are enthusiastically suggesting that one song in particular, “Restless”, should get released as a single! 

Jim added: "I’d like to take the opportunity to say how profoundly grateful and touched I am by this huge outpouring of support: it really means a very great deal."

Going forward into 2017, the Rector also revealed his plans for some live shows, in addition to his work for the church,

"There are a number of live shows planned, both solo and with my fantastic bandmates in Dismal Jibe.

"I’m also continuing to encourage music in general and ukulele playing in particular with the clubs at Priorsford School and in St Andrew’s Church in Innerleithen. So music will be high on my personal and ministerial agenda for the foreseeable future!"