Seven Incorporated Trades of Stirling

Four members recently attended the prize giving at Forth Valley College. Stuart Campbell, Deacon Convener of the Seven Incorporated Trades of Stirling, Andy McEwan, Deacon of the Hammermen, James Barker, Deacon of the Baxters and John Mungall, Box Master of the Hammermen presented awards to six students.

Nadine McCormack – Best bakery student with lecturer Rufaro Saunyama

Daryl Wallace – Best 1st Year HES student with lecturer Callum Plews

Cameron Ferguson – HES most improved student with lecturer Callum Plews

Andrew Adams – Best 1st Year carpentry & joinery student with lecturer Ronnie Millar

Cameron Sinclair – Best 2nd year carpentry and joinery student with lecturer Ronnie Millar

Picking up Trophy on behalf of Marcus Nicol Best 2nd Year HES student – Group photo of all Students

The Incorporation attended Linlithgow Riding of the Marches which had been postponed for the last two years. Deacon Andy and Clerk Robin attended the full day as guests of the Court of the Deacons of the Ancient and Royal Burgh of Linlithgow. It was a full day of celebration with the Theme being “it is good to be back”. The day was hosted by Provost Elizabeth Park, Chair of the Deacons Court and first female Provost of Linlithgow.

After a hearty Breakfast the Procession made their way through Linlithgow to the West most boundary at Linlithgow Bridge where there  Toasts and replies  to the Marches and the Brig and to the Dyers and other Fraternities.

The procession then made its way back through Linlithgow and then onto the East most Boundary at Blackness.

Here there was a laying of wreaths at the war memorial followed a  reception with Toasts and replies.

At Blackness Hill, the Provost installed the Baron Baillie.

Lunch then followed with a Toast to the Royal Burgh of Linlithgow.

Once back in Linlithgow the procession walked through Linlithgow three times before the final speeches and Reports at the Cross Well.

A great day was had by all.

More information can be found at Linlithgow Official Facebook Feed

As a sign of a gradual return to some form of normality the Incorporation held its Annual Dinner courtesy of the Golden Lion Hotel in February 2022. Deacon Andy was the MC and there were two excellent speakers – Dr Murray Cook and Deacon Convenor Stuart Campbell who filled in for one of the speaker who had to drop out due to Covid. Dr Murray Cook sensibly didn’t use technology unlike Deacon Convenor Stuart who still managed his talk despite a dodgy projector. Well done to both speakers.

The night was a great success and it was good to get back together to see people in person rather than virtually.

As things gradually got back to the new normal, the Incorporation managed to hold their AGM courtesy of Oms Restaurant in Dumbarton Road. At the AGM, Deacon Andy gave a quick summary of the few events there had been. The existing Masters Court members were all unanimously re-elected. A proposed calendar of events for the year was discussed, obviously subject to Covid.  Members then enjoyed an excellent curry at Oms following the AGM.

Finally, the Incorporations first face to face meeting for members took place on 19^th November courtesy of the Golden Lion Hotel. This was our Annual Whisky Tasting which was last held in 2019. Members sampled a selection of six types of whisky brought in and introduced by members including a Japanese one. Deacon Andy was the MC. A thoroughly good time was had by the limited number of members and guests attending.

A limited number of members attended a socially distanced service in the medieval Church of the Holy Rude in Stirling. After the service Deacon of the Hammermen Andrew McEwan took part in the wreath laying ceremony at the Cenotaph on their behalf.

It has been a while since anything was posted, mainly due to lockdown. So there is much to catch up on.

Unfortunately, on a sad note we lost two of our Brethern. The first our beloved Clerk to the Deacon, Ken Johnston. Ken had been Clerk to the Deacon since the Incorporations revival as well as Clerk to the Deacons Court. He was a true gentleman. Nothing ever seemed to be too much bother and he always had things organised down to a tee, doing things very much his own way. A great loss and a very hard act to follow.

The second was Bailie John Clark who was  literally larger than life, full of ideas and was a great asset serving on the Masters Court. His enthusiasm was infectious and like Ken will be sadly missed by the Incorporation and other Trades. Our thoughts go out to both families.

The last event held before lockdown was the Hammermen Annual Dinner back in February 2020 in the Golden Lion Hotel. It was an excellent evening very well organised as usual by Ken.

Following lockdown of course everything stopped. The only event attended was Remembrance Sunday when the Deacon of the Hammermen Andy McEwan and Deacon Convenor Stuart Campbell attended a small service in the Church and laid a wreath on behalf of the Incorporation.

This then brought us up to the 2021 AGM which we held by Zoom on Tuesday 23^rd February. This meeting started with a short period of reflection on the passing of Ken and John.

At the election of Office Bearers the existing Masters Court members were elected unopposed with Andy McEwan remaining as Deacon and John Mungal as BoxMaster. Bailie Robin Mair was elected Clerk to the Deacon and two new Bailies were appointed – Peter Smith and George Hunter.

Deacon Andy then gave his report on the limited past events and outlined a proposed calendar of events for the year ahead all subject of course to changes to lockdown and social distancing.

It was hoped at that time that the Burns Supper would go ahead in August and that there would be be some form of Walking the Marches with more normal meetings resuming.

Following the AGM Craig Bryce gave an excellent talk on the History of the Trades Hall in Glasgow.

In memory of the late Clerk to the Deacon Ken Johnston, it was agreed that an annual trophy and medal be presented to Allan’s Primary which was traditionally the Trades School. This trophy would be presented to pupils of their choice.

Deacon Andy McEwan presented the Quaich and medal to the school in late 2021. This is to be an annual event.

Allan’s Primary School

In November, four members attended the prize giving at Forth Valley College. Stuart Campbell, Deacon Convener of the Seven Incorporated Trades of Stirling, Andy McEwan, Deacon of the Hammermen, James Barker, Deacon of the Baxters and Hugh McCrea, Bailie of the Hammmermen presented awards and cheques to 7 successful apprentices.

It is intended that this be an annual event.

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In October the Hammermen held their annual Whisky Tasting in the Golden Lion Hotel, courtesy of Callum McMillan.

This year it took the unusual twist whereby as well as Callum talking, he “persuaded” four other members of the Hammermen to speak to the Whisky on offer.

The jury is still out as to the professionalism of the four Hammermen.  However the four; Ken, Stuart, Duncan and Lewis did  a great job although not in the same league as Callum.

All 20 members and guests that attended had a great time and appreciated the effort everyone made.