Sheep’s Heid Dinner 2025

Sheep’s Heid Dinner 2025

Monday 25th August 2025

Sheep’s Heid Dinner

The Incorporation of Wrights held their traditional Sheep’s Heid Dinner on Monday 25th August 2025. The Dinner followed the earlier Lammas Court Meeting, where next year’s new postholders and officers were nominated and made ‘Elect’. It was also the last Wrights’ event in the current Deacon’s year, so it doubled as a dinner of thanks and farewell to the outgoing Deacon. A month before, Deacon Judy Tayler-Smith had arranged to get the Deacon’s chain extended and engraved, so that all the Deacon’s names from 1851 to date were complete. She collected the chain from the goldsmiths, three days before the Sheep’s Heid Dinner, so this event was the first time the chain was worn with its three rows of links at the back.

After a sparkling reception in the Grand Hall, guests were seated in the Saloon and our Piper, Auld Deacon Stewart Hamilton, the Chef, and the Deacon, Judy Tayler-Smith, processed into the dining room with the Chef carrying the platter of sheep’s parts.  After taking a wee dram with the Piper and Chef, Deacon Judy then distributed the sheep’s parts (hooves, heart, tongue and brains), to the lucky recipients with amusing anecdotes as to why they were so honoured.

The Sheep’s Heid Dinner is customarily the Collector’s dinner, so the four course lamb menu and musical entertainment was chosen by the current Collector, Hugh Campbell. It was a brilliant event with traditional ‘Rights and Lefts’ toasts, our ‘Join All in One’ and many speeches. The Deacon resurrected a Wrights’ Grace at the start of the meal and used many amusing sheep related puns and jokes in her welcome speech and her after dinner speeches.

Following an interval break, there were the formal speeches and Collector Elect, Jacqui Sayer-Noble gave an interesting speech and toast to the Trades House of Glasgow. Alasdair Beaton, Collector of the House gave a suitable reply; plus, he thanked the Deacon for a very busy and successful year. Unfortunately, Deacon Convener Richard Paterson OBE was not able to attend and sent his apologies. Other speeches were given by Deacon Elect, Gillian Christiansen, Collector Hugh Campbell and Late Deacon Stephen Osbourne. Musical entertainment in three sets was courtesy of the Haver Quartet, whilst Deacon of the Bonnetmakers and Dyers, Sheena Crichton played piano throughout the dinner.

Deacon Judy Tayler-Smith ended the meal with her thanks to everyone who had helped her during her year in office. She thanks the Master Court, the Platform, the staff at the Trades Hall and all her speakers and musicians. Judy also thanked her Consort, Simon Tayler-Smith for all his help and support during her tenure. Simon attended every single function where the Deacon was present and so became like an ‘honorary member’ of the ‘Chain Gang’ for 2024/25. Deacon Judy also presented some gifts to Collector Hugh, Clerk Tom and to Collector of the House Alasdair Beaton. It was a wonderful occasion, full of good humour, friendship and fun.