Th

eCraftsmanTHE TRADES HOUSE OF GLASGOW NEWSLETTER

ISSUE 30 SPRING 2005

THE TRADES HOUSE OF GLASGOW CELEBRATES 400 HISTORIC YEARS

LET CELEBRATIONS COMMENCEA day filled with remembrance, music, pageant and celebration, honoured the 400th anniversary

of the Trades House of Glasgow on Sunday 6 February 2005. Sharing both the significantfounding day and the celebrations were Glasgow City Council and the Merchants House.

Glasgow Cathedral proved themagnificent setting for the CivicService of Thanksgiving and Dedicationconducted by the Very Reverend DrWilliam J Morris, Minister of theCathedral, along with the MostReverend Mario Conti, Archbishop ofGlasgow, and the Right Reverend DrIdris Jones, Bishop of Glasgow andGalloway.

The Service marked four centuries inthe lives of the two Houses, whichhave been so intertwined in the historyand development of the City ofGlasgow. Professor John Wallace,Principal of the Royal ScottishAcademy of Music and Drama, createda Fanfare for Glasgow, which wasperformed as the procession made itsway into the Cathedral.

During lunch in the Lower Churchfollowing the Service, MerchantsHouse Lord Dean of Guild AndrewPrimrose and Trades House DeaconConvener Tom Gilchrist presented DrMorris with a framed copy of the Orderof Service.

The Glasgow Royal Concert Hallresonated to the sounds of the RoyalScottish National Orchestra as theTrades House of Glasgow presentedthis unique 400th anniversary galaconcert to the City.

Proceeds will go towards the fund forthe Teenage Cancer Trust and The

Prostate Cancer Charity for Glasgow.Pianist Martin Jones, mezzo-soprano

Jane Irwin and the Scottish PowerPipe Band joined the RSNO andconductor James Lowe for anunforgettable evening. Compere forthe evening was Blythe Duff, wellknown for her role in Taggart.

The Deacon Convener, accompaniedby his Platform, led a procession of theIncorporated Trades complete withflags and chains of office onto thestage (pictured above) as the RSNOwas joined by the Scottish Power Pipe

Band for a rousing finale.Commenting on the event, Tom

Gilchrist said: “This unique concert,with Lord Provost Liz Cameron andLord Dean of Guild Andrew Primroseamong our distinguished guests, wasoutstanding. Everyone there seemedto share my pride in our City as wecelebrated such an historic date inGlasgow’s calendar.”

The gala concert was sponsored byLloyds TSB Scotland as part of itspackage of support for thequatercentenary year.

DeaconConvener TomGilchrist isjoined byBlythe Duff,Julian De SteCroix, ActingChief Executiveof RSNO,ConductorJames Loweand LynUnderwood,EducationAdvisor, RSNO

The celebrations of our Quatercentenary certainlytouched a lot of people, firstly at the CommemorativeService in Glasgow Cathedral and later at the ConcertHall. It also involved all those holding the highest officesin the Trades House and the Crafts.

As Deacon Convener this year I was overwhelmed withemotion on many occasions as I felt the goodwill, thatseemed to surround us. The Lord Provost and GlasgowCity Council paid us the highest compliment by inviting usto a magnificent banquet to seal the excellent relationshipwe have with the City. The celebrations, which included theMerchants House, will be remembered by all those whowere there.

You may remember my aims for this year recorded in thelast issue of the Craftsman. I believe thatalready we are raising the profile andstanding of the Trades House. We haveattracted sponsorship for our events. Ourmembership is strengthened, our MasterCourts are filling and this support willensure that the Trades House and the 14Incorporations can continue their workeffecitvely into our fifth century.

The second half of my period in officeincludes our awards to schools andcolleges, CraftEx, the Lord Provost’sprocession, summer sporting events,outings and the tea party. I hope to meetas many members as possible as wecontinue our work for this historicinstitution.

Deacon Convener TOM GILCHRIST

VIEW FROM THE PLATFORMTo quote the late Rikki Fulton “Is it that time already?”.Time as always is rushing past and this year’s ChainGang is energetically pursuing its projects to ensure thesuccess of the Quatercentenary programme.

One of my early duties was to set my budget for theyear. As many of you will be aware the House has and willcontinue to focus on maximising its givings andminimising its administration costs. With the support ofour new Clerk Iain Paterson, I have developed a strategyto reduce costs and increase our givings. In terms of costreduction the removal of the administration function tothe North Gallery in the Trades Hall has allowed a fullreview of our systems. I would like to thank Iain, Annette

Wright, Myra Martin and Kirstine Mains forall their hard work in both relocating andimplementing the changes.

To increase our income you can helpduring this very special year. The mainways in which you can help us ensure thatthe Quatercentenary is an outstandingyear are by supporting events such as theGlasgow Ball on the 14 May and, veryimportantly, by purchasing some of theCommemorative items. I think that I amsafe in saying that none of us will havethis opportunity again!

I have thoroughly enjoyed my first fivemonths on the Platform and look forwardto your support in making the rest of thisyear a memorable one.

Collector T MALCOLM T WISHARTDeacon Convener Tom Gilchrist (left) withCollector T Malcolm T Wishart

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LLOYDS TSB SCOTLAND BOOSTS CELEBRATIONSLloyds TSB Scotland is sponsoring theTrades House of Glasgow during itsquatercentenary year, with financialbacking provided for the 400thanniversary RSNO concert andforthcoming Glasgow Ball in May.

“Such generous support for our mainquatercentenary events is simplyterrific,” said Deacon Convener TomGilchrist. “It will not only help raise theirprofile but also go a long way to boostingour fundraising efforts on behalf of theTeenage Cancer Trust and ProstateCancer Charity, our beneficiaries for2005.”

Susan Rice CBE, chief executive ofLloyds TSB Scotland said: “Four

centuries on, this federation of the City’sancient crafts continues to play afundamental role in the life of Glasgowand beyond. It has become a true centreof excellence in charitable administration,and encourages the revival of traditionalcraft skills alongside the emergence ofnew technology.

“In its support of charitableorganisations and its encouragement ofyouth and support for education, theTrades House of Glasgow reflects manyof our own objectives in Lloyds TSBScotland. This link makes us all themore delighted to be associated withthe Trades House as it celebrates sucha significant milestone in its history.”

Tom Gilchrist extends his thanks to ManusFullerton, Director Wholesale Banking in Scotland

In a temporary break from tradition, Deacon Convener TomGilchrist asks his wife, Anne, to shed some light on themany activities the couple attend on behalf of the TradesHouse and in his position as Glasgow’s Third Citizen.

Where have the last five months gone? Tom and I havenever worked so hard but we also have never had suchenjoyment and satisfaction. The 400th anniversary plansare all going ahead.

The Anniversary Ball arrangements are going ahead fairlysmoothly with lots of tables selling. The “Fair in the Square”in June is beginning to take shape. I am told that theCraftsmen have to dress up in 1600s costume and work withthe old tools of their trade. The Merchants will come andstrut and I will be allowed to wear an appropriate dress.(Can’t think what that means!) Tom will also be suitably clad.

The link between the Trades House and the City growsstronger every year and we are delighted to help when we can.The number of people from home and abroad who receive awelcome at the City Chambers is enormous. I enjoy all thereceptions but meeting Terry Waite was a highlight.

We have spent time with Glasgow Citizens who have givenover 100 units of blood, women in business, charity workersand visitors from foreign countries including representativesfrom Glasgow’s twin cities.

One of the most memorable occasions was sailing downthe Clyde on HMS Glasgow’s very last voyage as shereturned to Portsmouth to be decommissioned.

What an opportunity we have been given. It is an enormousprivilege to serve the City and the Trades House of Glasgow.

Anne Gilchrist

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MEET THE CHAIN GANG CHARITIES 2005

The Prostate Cancer Charity funds vital research andprovides practical support through its information services.

The Trades House has set a fundraising target of £15,000to pay for further publication of The Prostate CancerCharity’s award winning ToolKit.

This information pack, which gives clear and independentinformation on a wide range of prostate cancer relatedissues, will be distributed free by GPs and health centres inthe Glasgow area to men over 50 at risk.

Confidential Helpline0845 300 8383

Staffed by specialist nurses 10am to 4pm - Mon - Fri7pm to 9pm - Wed

www.prostate-cancer.org.uk

The Teenage Cancer Trust focuses on the particular needsof UK teenagers and young adults with cancer, leukaemia,Hodgkin’s and related diseases.

The Charity designs and builds dedicated adolescentcancer units in hospitals. It also funds and organisessupport and information services for patients, theirfamilies, schools and health professionals.

With the Trades House target of £15,000, the charity aimsto buy vital equipment for a major project at the BeatsonOncology Centre in Glasgow.

Telephone0207 387 1000

www.teencancer.org

The three organisations, who are jointly funding thesculpture, established the brief, inviting five artists tosubmit proposals for a piece of public art within thisarea of regeneration. Following great deliberation bythe assessors, Doug Cocker has been commissioned tocomplete the sculpture before the end of June thisyear.

The panel of assessors included Bailie GordonMatheson representing the City, the Lord Dean of GuildAndrew Primrose and Deacon Convener Tom Gilchrist.They were guided by expert technical assessors SandraGunn, Assistant Principal at Glasgow MetropolitanCollege, Professor Alison Yarrington, Professor ofHistory of Art at the University of Glasgow and Dr Brunodel’Priope, an international expert in artworks for thepublic realm, under the chairmanship of David HardingOBE.

Situated in Hutcheson Street on the axis of GarthStreet opposite the Trades Hall, the sculpture will beoutside the door of the former Merchants Houseoffice at the Sheriff Court and close to the CityChambers.

CITY BENCHMARKA commemorative sculpture has been commissioned forthe Merchant City area of Glasgow to mark the 400thanniversary of the founding of the Merchants House andthe Trades House, working together with the City Councilto help make Glasgow flourish.

Lord Provost Elizabeth Cameron and Glasgow City Council wereoutstanding hosts at a Civic Banquet held in the City Chambers to celebratethe joint 400th anniversaries and seal the strong bond that the TradesHouse and Merchants House enjoy with the City. Deacon Convener TomGilchrist is pictured with the Lord Provost, the Lord Dean of Guild AndrewPrimrose, the Platform, Deacons, Visitor, Clerk and dignitaries before thecelebration dinner.

Eleanor Sandford has taken up the post of Presidentof the Association of Trades House Ladies, followingthe retiral of Anne MacConnacher, who was the veryfirst to serve in the position from 2000 to 2004 andwill provide continuity through her role as PastPresident.

Eleanor, a Gardener, looks forward to leading the Associationinto the 5th century at a time when ladies are now takingoffice in the Crafts of the House.

Eleanor is also joined by new committee membersMhairi Maclellan and Anne Macfarlane.

NEW PRESIDENTFOR LADIES

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The venue? Glasgow Hilton Hotel.The date? Saturday 14 May 2005.The occasion? One of the highestprofile events in the city this year -the Trades House 400th AnniversaryGlasgow Ball.

The splendour of Glasgow Hilton’sGrand Ballroom will once again setthe scene for celebrations on animpressive scale. Guests will meetup at a cocktail reception beforegoing on to enjoy dinner and dancingto Sandals and the John CarmichaelCeilidh Band.

As well as an evening ofentertainment, it is hoped that the

event will raise funds to help reachthe £30,000 target for the ChainGang charities 2005. The money willbe divided equally between theTeenage Cancer Trust and theProstate Cancer Charity, with allmonies raised used within Glasgow.

Tickets are priced at £60 each withtables of ten or 12 available. Contactthe Trades House administrationcentre for ticket application forms(details back page) or to makedonations for the tombola andauction.

Lloyds TSB Scotland is the mainsponsor of this year’s Ball.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS – WWE RELY ON YOUR BACKING BY JOINING IN THE FUN, BECOMING INVOLVED IN EVENTS, BY LENDING YOUR SUPPORT OR PROVIDING DONATION

COME HAVE A BALL

MUSICAL NOTES

“These young award winners must be seen and heard,” said DavidMcMillan, Past Deacon of the Incorporation of Wrights and Co-ordinatorof the Musical Association. “So please show your support by comingalong and enjoying a concert with a real difference! Proceeds will bedivided between Trades House charities and the Choir, who are raisingfunds for a singing trip to Nova Scotia this October.”

Concert tickets, priced £10 and £7 (concessions), include a programmeand glass of wine at the interval. Tickets can be purchased from theTrades House Administration Centre (details back page), who will alsocollect prizes for a fundraising tombola to be held on the night.

The Musical Association was formed to encourage members of the 14Incorporated Trades, their families and friends, to support a widespectrum of musical concerts and events. In so doing, it supportsfinancially the ongoing and essential charitable work of the TradesHouse. If you would like to find out more about the Association, pleasecontact David on 0141 352 8058.

The award-winning Glasgow Islay Junior Gaelic Choir and GlasgowSchools Pipe Band will present a traditional Scottish Concert at thenext Trades House Musical Association event in March. These talentedyoungsters, combining singers, pipers and instrumentalists, willperform at the Henry Wood Hall, Claremont Street in Glasgow, onSaturday 19 March, 7.30pm.

TENTH TOP TALENT SHOWCASE

Alistair Doig, Craftex co-ordinator and ex- Deacon of the Wrights said: “Ourmany thanks go to sponsors Tilney Investment Management, MelvilleExhibitions and the 14 Incorporated Trades of Glasgow, without whom thisevent would not be possible. Other organisations are expressing interest inbecoming involved, reflecting the growing reputation that Craftex now enjoys.

“The College of Building and Printing is kindly supporting us again andhelping to publicise the event through the production of posters. Bycoupling PR with an advertising campaign, we aim to build on last year’svisitor numbers, which topped 1600 people.”

A top entry will be selected in each subject with winners receiving acheque for £200 and the chance to take the overall Gold Medal Awardthat recognises ‘best in show’. Judging will take place this year onWednesday 15 June and the prize giving on Friday 17.

For more information on how to become a Craftex sponsor or for moredetails, please contact Alistair Doig at his office on tel: 0141 248 9635 oremail: alistairdoig@doighart.co.uk.

Showcasing the very best crafts and skills taught at Glasgow’s tencolleges of further education, Craftex 2005 will be the Trades House’stenth annual craft awards and exhibition held at the Trades Hall fromThursday 16 to Sunday 19 June. Admission will be free.

QUATERCENTENA

Six limited edition souvenirs have been produced tTrades House. These souvenirs, a great reminder House, are only available until 31 December 2005.House funds.

Trades House 10 year old malt whisky

Pair of 9oz engraved cut crystal tumb

Blue or green velvet cushion 16” by 12

Trades House and 14 Crafts 12” celebr

3” diameter trinket box with coat of a

Executive ballpoint pen with coat of a

Order forms are available by contacting the Traddetails back page) or online at www.tradeshouse.or

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WE WELCOME YOUR SUPPORTNS. IN THIS WAY, WE CAN STRENGTHEN OUR ORGANISATION AND CONTINUE TO PLAY A FUNDAMENTAL ROLE IN SUPPORTING THOSE IN NEED

FESTIVAL OF PRAISEFour hundred voices will liftthe roof at the Glasgow RoyalConcert Hall on Wednesday27 April, when the GlasgowPhoenix Choir is joined byspecial guests, the InverclydeSchools Youth and JuniorChoir with conductor PalmaAllan, to present Iona Abbey,a Festival of Praise.

The Trades House issupporting the evening aspart of its 400thanniversary celebrations.

A happy family evening of

great uplifting music ispromised, as Phoenix Choirconductor Marilyn J Smithand accompanist CameronMurdoch help recreate thepeace and serenity of IonaAbbey where they recordedpart of this concert lastspring.

Tickets priced £5, £8,£10, £12 and £15 – 10%discount for parties of morethan 10 - are available directfrom the Concert Hall BoxOffice on tel: 0141-353 8000.

ARY SOUVENIRS

to commemorate the Quatercentenary of theof what is a historic milestone for the Trades. Money raised through their sale will go to Trades

y, Macallan style - £30

blers in presentation box - £30

2” with embroidered coat of arms - £35

ration plate - £35

arms - £18

arms - £4

des House of Glasgow Administration Centre (fullrg.uk.

INTERNATIONALLYACCLAIMED

PROFESSOR TODELIVER LECTURE

Professor Thomas Devine OBE, the internationally acclaimed Professorof Irish and Scottish Studies at Aberdeen University, is to deliver thisyear’s Trades House Lecture at Strathclyde University on Tuesday 31May.

Professor Devine is one of the UK’s most prominent and distinguishedpractitioners of Irish and Scottish economic and social history.

He was educated at Strathclyde University where he graduated with firstclass honours in History in 1968 followed by a PhD and D.Litt. He rose throughthe academic ranks from assistant lecturer to Reader, Professor, Head ofDepartment, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and finally Vice-Principal of the University in 1992.

In 1998 he accepted the Directorship of the world’s first centre ofadvanced research in Irish and Scottish Studies in Aberdeen.

Professor Devine is the author or editor of books on such varied topicsas emigration, famine, Scottish transatlantic commercial links, urbanhistory, the Scottish Highlands and rural social history.

His major book, The Scottish Nation, became an international best sellerand for a time, even outsold the adventures of Harry Potter in Scotland.His widely acclaimed volume, Scotland’s Empire 1600-1815, formed thebasis for a major six-part BBC2 series.

The subject of Professor Devine’s lecture will be announced in March,when details will be available from the Trades House AdministrationCentre.

FASHION FOR FUNDSOne of the main annual events for the Association of Trades HouseLadies, is their Charity Fashion Show, to take place in the MoatHouse Hotel, Glasgow, on Wednesday 30 March 2005. Promotionalstands and a raffle will add to the fundraising event in aid of theChain Gang charities and the Children's Hospice Association ofScotland (CHAS).

Tickets priced £10 are available from Aileen Brodie, 3 GilmourtonCrescent, Newton Mearns, Glasgow G77 5AE, tel: 0141 639 3614, orfrom any member of the Association.

The Craftsman

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DEACON CONVENER’S DINNER Deacon Convener Tom Gilchrist and Collector T Malcolm TWishart welcomed top table and distinguished guests tothe 399th Trades House of Glasgow Annual Dinner at theTrades Hall last October.

First class toasts and replies topped this Civic Dinner forthe shakers and movers in Glasgow. Proposing the Toast tothe City of Glasgow was well-known journalist, author,broadcaster and ambassador for all things Scottish, JackWebster. Reply came courtesy of Glasgow City Council ChiefExecutive, George Black.

Toast to the Trades House was proposed by Lord Kerr ofKinlochard, who spent 37 years in the diplomatic service,more recently serving as Permanent Undersecretary at theForeign Office and then Secretary General of the EuropeanConvention. Deacon Robert Steele of the Incorporation ofCordiners made the reply.

A successful annual Ladies Dinner was held on the sameevening in the Western Club.

Deacon Convener Tom Gilchrist (right) and Collector T Malcolm T Wishart(left) pictured with Deacon of the Bakers, Robert Lawson

Already it has taken over the administration of trusts on behalf of theGlasgow and West of Scotland Potato Trade Benevolent Association andSlate Trade Benevolent Association.

At a ceremony in the Trades Hall, President of the 117-year-old SlateTrades Benevolent Association, Harry Porter, handed over funds,records, regalia and the bowling trophy to Deacon Convener TomGilchrist. An invitation has been extended to its members to join one ofthe 14 Incorporations, such as the Masons.

The Potato Trade Benevolent Society is being wound up and, underconstitution, has transferred funds to the House together with theongoing care of its two remaining beneficiaries.

Anyone interested in using these services or learning more shouldcontact Clerk to the House Iain Paterson on tel: 0141-553 1605,email: iain.paterson@btconnect.com.

HOUSE TAKES ON TRUSTSFollowing administrative reorganisation, the Trades House now has theresources and expertise to administer benevolent societies and trusts.

President of the Slate Trade Benevolent Association,Harry Porter, hands over the Chain of Office to TomGilchrist

CHARITY LAW - ARE YOU KEEPING UP?

The Charities and Trustee Investments(Scotland) Bill was presented for firststage debate in the Scottish Parliamentin November 2004. We expect to have13 sets of additional requirements issuedin the form of Regulations, most notablythose regarding accounting and auditing.These have been delayed and are nowdue out early in 2005.

The Bill sets up a statutory charityregulator. Its function will be to maintaina public record of charities, facilitatecompliance with the Bill and investigateapparent misconduct. The currentregulator, the Office of the ScottishCharity Regulator (OSCR), has been inexistence for a year in its current formas a department of the ScottishExecutive but its new form will be that ofa non-ministerial department.

Under the new rules, charity trustees willbe required to:

act in the interests of the charity

seek, in good faith, to ensure thatthe charity exercises its functions ina manner, which is consistent withits purposes

act with the care and diligence thatit is reasonable to expect of a personwho is managing the affairs ofanother person, and

where exercising functions as a charitytrustee in the course of a business orprofession, use any special knowledgeand expertise that it is reasonable toexpect of a person acting in the courseof that business or profession

For those responsible for managinginvestments in accordance with theTrustees’ Investment Act 1961, there isgood news. The permitted investmentcategories have been extended. Thedownside is that duties have increasedfor charity trustees in respect ofinvestments. They are now required to:

have regard to the suitability to thetrust of the proposed investmentand the need for diversification ofinvestments.

obtain and consider “proper advice”about initial investment and

subsequent changes in the investmentunless having considered thecircumstances they do not consider itnecessary or appropriate to take suchadvice.

Many charities are not incorporated.Either they do not think it appropriate orperhaps they have not considered it! Ifyou are a trustee of an unincorporatedcharity you may be concerned aboutpersonal liability for the charity debts.

Good news comes in the form of thenew Scottish Charitable IncorporatedOrganisation. The implementation datefor this is not yet known but it will offera form of organisation, which giveslimited liability and imposes charityrules rather than company rules.Conversion, we hope, will be simple andefficient.

The legislation timetable that aimed tohave Royal Assent by June 2005 nowlooks unlikely due to delays in producingthe Regulations. We could reasonablyexpect to have the detail of Regulationsthroughout the course of this year withimplementation due next year. Thesewill be highlighted in later editions of theCraftsman.

Significant changes in charity law are inprogress. As many members of theTrades House are involved in charities ina voluntary capacity, often on the Boardof Trustees, it is essential that we keepourselves up to date. This article byGillian Donald, partner in Scott-Moncrieffand a specialist in charity accountingand governance, tells us more.

Gillian Donald can be contacted atgillian.donald@scott-moncrieff.com

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Late Deacon Convener Ian Elliott and his wife, Ann, are presented with apainting from the 2003/2004 Chain Gang at the Passing Out dinner heldat the Western Club.

FOND FAREWELLSAfter 25 years of service to the Royal Navy, HMS Glasgowvisited the city as her last port of call in October to saygoodbye. Despite a hectic schedule, Commander Wainhouseand his crew joined members of the Trades House for alunch reception at the Trades Hall.

It was a particular honour that they chose to join theannual Trades House Kirking service at Glasgow Cathedral tolay up the ship’s colours for safe-keeping. The flag willremain in Glasgow until claimed by a future HMS Glasgow inyears to come.

Deacon Convener Tom Gilchrist, who had theenormous privilege of joining the Lord Provost on thebridge as HMS Glasgow set sail for the last time, said:“As we pulled out of Yorkhill Quay, the silence on thebridge was tinged with sadness. Glasgow was losingone of its finest ambassadors. We had an overwhelmingfeeling of pride in her achievements in the name of theCity.”

Commander Mike Wainhouse receives Trades House whisky andglasses from Tom Gilchrist

Gordon Wyllie’s resignation as Clerk last yearbrought to an end the Trades House link withBiggart BaillieSolicitors going backto the appointment ofDr Thomas Weir in1875.

Gordon’s personalservice as Clerk for 17years was recognised bythe gift of a portraitpresented by the artistBunny Campbell,(pictured right) widow ofex Convener KennethCampbell.

At a Trades Housemeeting, CampbellSmith, former managingpartner of BiggartBaillie received a silversalver recording their129 years of service.Those attending themeeting, expressed theirthanks for the expertguidance of the TradesHouse by succeedingClerks.

Bob Colquhoun, an enthusiastic memberof the Incorporation of Fleshers andpublic relations consultant to the TradesHouse, has died at the age of 62 followinga year of poor health. Amongst his manycontributions to the Trades House wasthe production of the Craftsman, whichhe established and launched in the early1990s.A former head of marketing and PR withGlasgow City Council, Bob enjoyed adistinguished career of more than 40years. Before embarking on the world ofPR, he served as a reporter, feature writerand sub-editor on local and national news-papers including the Paisley Daily Express,Daily Mail and the then Glasgow Herald.

Following nine years as a journalist, Bob

A CRAFTSMAN TRIBUTEbecame information manager for whiskycompany Wm Grant & Sons, where hehandled UK and international mediarelations and set up Scotland’s first majorvisitor centre at the Glenfiddich distillery.He spent 11 years as managing director ofRex Stewart PR, which he built into one ofScotland’s top three agencies.

Latterly he moved to the Isle of Butewith his wife, Arline, who died three yearsago. From his home in Rothesay, hecontinued his PR work as an independentconsultant.

Bob will be sadly missed but fondlyremembered by many as a meticulousand cheerful practitioner who waspassionate about his work with theTrades House.

A new book writtenby Craig Maircharts the historyof TheIncorporation ofCoopers, sheddinglight and colour onthe origins, life andwork of this veryancient Craft inGlasgow.

Craig explored theannals of the MitchellLibrary, as well asthe Cooper’s ownarchives, in hismeticulous researchfor the book. He alsovisited the Taylorfamily’s Speysidecooperage atCraigellachie, whichclaims to have theonly cooperagevisitor centre in Britain.

The result is a book, which is a thoroughly enjoyable andenlightening read, also packed with photographs fromthroughout the past century up until recent years.

The hardback title, printed by Neil Wilson Publishers, isnow available from Cooper’s Clerk, Alastair Campbell, atMitchells Roberton, George House, 36 North HanoverStreet, Glasgow G1 2AD.

Cost including p&p is £17. As the price is subsidised bythe Incorporation, an additional £5 donation would bemost welcome by the Craft. Cheques should be madepayable to Mitchells Roberton.

KEEP IN TOUCHPlease send your news and photographs to Elaine Stewart atElaine Stewart Public Relations, Victoria House, 5 East BlackhallStreet, Greenock PA15 1HD, tel: 01475-806801, fax: 01475-806834, email: elaine.stewart@espr.co.uk. The next Craftsmanwill be printed in the autumn.For event and ticket details, contact the Trades House ofGlasgow Administration Centre at North Gallery – Trades Hall,85 Glassford Street, Glasgow G1 1UH, tel: 0141-553 1605,email: annette.wright@btconnect.com or visitwww.tradeshouse.org.uk.

ANGLINGThe Trades House annual Angling Competition was heldat the Lake of Menteith.

Although conditions were not ideal, 12 fish were caughtweighing in at 25lb 1oz. Stuart Biggart, Coopers, picked upthe Dallas Trophy for best individual basket. Close secondwas Dan Lean, Weavers.

The Jackson Millar Cup went to the Wrights team, thanksto Alec Graham and John Maginnis. Coopers man, StuartBiggart, took the Train Trophy for heaviest fish. SteveMannion, Masons, won the Michael Beale Trophy forheaviest basket in the over-60 category.

QUEEN PERMITS CORDINERSTO ADMIT WOMEN

A Royal Charter granted by George V in 1919 currentlyconstitutes the Cordiners, and provides that members bemale. After consultation with the membership, a motion toallow women members, promoted by the Master Court, waspassed unanimously.

In consultation with the Privy Council Office in London, theMaster Court then prepared a formal Petition to the Queenrequesting a Supplementary Charter. After a number offormalities this was granted at a Privy Council meetingheld just before Christmas.

The Charter has now been transmitted to the ScottishExecutive Protocol Department, which will deal with the nextstage of the procedure with the production of theSupplementary Charter document, to which the Great Seal ofScotland will be adhibited.

Her Majesty The Queen has permitted The Incorporation ofCordiners to change its Rules to admit women members. At ameeting of the Privy Council, the Queen granted aSupplementary Charter to the Cordiners to end the centuries-old restriction under which only men could join the Craft.

CRAFT NEWS

CALLUM SCOOPS WOODEN SPOONTradition has once again been upheld, as the Skinners’ duo ofLate Deacon Callum Leslie and his Collector Donald Macintyrescooped the wooden spoon and rolling pin “accolade” for theworst rendition of Will ye no’ come back again?

It is the custom when a Late Deacon or Visitor and theirLate Collector departs a Deacon’s Choosing Dinner thatguests rise to their feet and sing the traditional Scottish song,to which an often not too tuneful response is given by thepair. Late Collector of the House Graham Goodridge-Coxselects the Visitation who, in his opinion, performed the leastmelodic response. Get the gist?Their singing at the Incorporation of Weavers dinner earnedCallum and Donald their award.

Two framed certificates decorated with music and wordswere also awarded to Callum, pictured at the presentationwith Late Collector Graham Goodridge-Cox (right) and LateDeacon Convener Ian Elliott.

POULTRY IN MOTIONElaine C Smith was billed as“poultry in motion” andGerard Kelly as the “belchbeneath her wings” in thisyear’s hilarious performanceof Mother Goose at the King’sTheatre.

The pantomime is one ofthe highlights of the year forthe 150-strong pensionerswho attend the annual outingorganised by the

Hammermen Service Group. A buffet supper in the ThistleHotel helped whet their appetite for a fabulous eveningahead. Deacon Convener Tom Gilchrist and his wife Anneare pictured with some of the group before curtain’s up atthe King’s.

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