Deacon’s Choosing Dinner, 3rd October 2025.

Deacon’s Choosing Dinner, 3rd October 2025.

3rd October 2025

The Deacon’s Choosing Dinner is the first formal event to welcome the new Deacon and to congratulate the year’s very skilled and talented prize winners from Parkhill Secondary School, City of Glasgow College, Glasgow Clyde College, and the Scottish Glass Society.

Toastmaster Adrian Pierotti advised of the entry of the Top Table, which was announced by Trumpeter, George Fleming. Auld Deacon Stewart Hamilton piped in Deacon Gillian Christiansen, Deacon Convener of the Trades House Richard Paterson OBE, Rev Mark Johnstone, Auld Deacon Jack Copeland and the other Top Table guests.  

Members of the 2025-26 Chain Gang and other distinguished, personal guests had previously been led in and conducted to their respective seats.

Deacon Gillian Christiansen, then welcomed everyone to the Choosing Dinner.

The Wrights’ Grace was then given by Collector Jacqui Sayer-Noble.

All present enjoyed a fine dinner with music by pianist Late Deacon of the Bonnetmakers and Dyers, Sheena Crichton and numerous rights and lefts.

The presentation of prizes. The Deacon began by thanking the Director of Education Auld Deacon Stewart Hamilton for his work, who then introduced each of the prizewinners.

Each student was congratulated by the Deacon and Auld Deacon Stewart Hamilton and then was presented with their certificates, shields and monetary prizes.

It is with pride that we continue to promote the skills and support the talent, the future of our Craft. Articles about the 2025 prize winers can be found on the Wrights’ Webpage, `Scottish Glass Society Prizewinner’, `Prizewinners 2025’.

It was noted that some of the prizewinners will be displaying their work at the November Trades House exhibition in the V&A, Dundee. A report is to follow.

The Deacon was then delighted to invite 4 new members to meet with her and receive their certificates.

Time was taken by the Deacon to present the Top Table and personal guests.

The short interval that followed presented an opportunity for members of the Master Court to welcome the new members and for all those present to view the quality and skill displayed in the outstanding prize-winning pieces.

After the short interval the Clerk was invited by the Deacon, to lead everyone in `Join All in One’.

The first speaker was Late Collector Hugh Campbell, who highlighted the role, work and continued support that Trades House gives to Glasgow Charities

He then proposed a toast to it.

The reply was given by the Deacon Convener of the Trades House Richard Paterson OBE. He thanked the Late Collector and continued by highlighting the support needed by the Trades’ House and the upcoming exhibition at the V&A Dundee. He added that the Trades’ House flag will now be permanently flown.

This was followed by a visit by a deputation from the Incorporation of Coopers of Glasgow.

Glaswegian, Rev Mark Johnstone proposed the toasts to the City of Glasgow in his usual warm and humorous way. He highlighted his roots and love for the city of his birth and youth, introducing many personal anecdotes which confirmed his love for it.

As a result of bad weather, the Lord Provost was unable to attend. However, her response was read by the Deacon.

The Deacon was then pleased to present a cheque for £3,500 to the Trades House Heritage Committee, in recognition of the contribution made by Craig R Bryce in preparing the new book on the `History of the Incorporation of Wrights’.

There then followed a visit by a deputation from the Incorporation of Masons of Glasgow, which attracted the usual friendly warm comments from the Wrights present.

Late Deacon Judy Tayler-Smith proposed the toast to the Deacon. This was responded to by first thanking her and then all who had attended; with a wish for everyone to have a safe journey home.

Collector Jacqui Sayer-Noble, then offered a vote of thanks to all those who contributed to very memorable evening.

The Deacon then rapped the shed and Auld Lang Syne was sung.

Images Courtesy of George Mahoney.