The Box Opening Ceremony and Dinner 2025

The Box Opening Ceremony and Dinner 2025

6th May 2025

The Wrights Box Opening Ceremony and Dinner took place in the magnificent Trades Hall. The numbers were delightfully boosted by the attendance of 33 guests from the Worshipful Company of Upholders, a London livery company where Deacon Judy Tayler-Smith was Master back in 2017/18.

The Box Opening Ceremony started in the Saloon, where Deacon Judy explained about the origins and purposes of the boxes and then discussed a few items that were deposited by some of her predecessors. She then went on to deposit three items of her own which were:

1. A photograph of Deacon Judy chained as President of the City Livery Club with her guest; Deacon Convener Col. John Kelly taken on 23/07/13 at Judy’s Civic Luncheon in Plaisterers’ Hall. The reciprocation received later that same year was the catalyst that brought Deacon Judy to the Trades Hall;

2. A wooden disc in an Italian pizza box, with the Wrights shield, the name of the Deacon and the year of office engraved into the wood. This was to honour the Deacon’s Italian heritage, with the wood honouring the Wrights’ craft;

and 3. A collage of photos denoting the 850th Anniversary of the City of Glasgow (2025). The photos included the 850 branded menu from Deacon Judy’s Box Opening, the 850 banners at Glasgow Central Station and pictures of Deacon Judy and Consort Simon planting two pear trees for 850 in the precincts of Glasgow Cathedral.

In addition to the items placed into the box, Deacon Judy also presented a goblet to the Wrights which was engraved on one side with the Wrights’ shield and the words “The Collector’s Cup” and on the other side it stated, “Presented by Judy S. Tayler-Smith, Deacon 2024-25, The Incorporation of Wrights in Glasgow.” Deacon Judy donated the goblet to encourage both prospective and current Master Court Members and future Collector’s to progress into the role. She also wished for the goblet to be used by the Collector to promote the Wrights at all dinners they attend in the Trades Hall. Of the fourteen Incorporated Crafts the Wrights are now currently the only Craft to have a Collector’s Cup.

Following this, Deacon Judy thanked her husband Simon Tayler-Smith for all his support as ‘Consort (Queen) of the Wrights’ and invested him with her Deacon’s chain and badge to wear for the remainder of the evening. Consort Simon then gave a suitable reply.

For the actual dinner, the top table were piped in by Auld Deacon Stewart Hamilton, with Auld Deacon John Smail saying Grace.  Deacon Judy welcomed the guests, and a delicious dinner was served with numerous ‘Rights and Lefts’ toasts. Then after the interval, as is the custom, there were many speeches interspersed by musical entertainment. Speeches were delivered by Late Collector Gillian Christiansen who gave the ‘Toast to the Trades House’, with the ‘Replies’ coming from both the Deacon Convener Richard Paterson OBE and Collector of the House, Alasdair Beaton. The Deacon then welcomed her principal guest, Roger Wates, Master Upholder, who gave a speech which ended with a ‘Toast to the Incorporation of Wrights.’ The Deacon then presented the Master Upholder with membership of the Incorporation of Wrights and the Freedom of the City of Glasgow.

Deacon of the Incorporation of Bonnet Makers and Dyers, Sheena Crighton played the piano throughout the dinner, which was very well received. There were also two sets of musical entertainment expertly performed by Cavan Rogers and Cameron Nixon who have entertained the Wrights on a number of occasions, with their singing and their accordion, guitar and violin playing.  

Towards the end of the evening, Collector Hugh Campbell delivered the toast to the Incorporation of Masons, with Deacon of the Masons’ Craig Bryce giving the ‘Reply.’ Finally, Late Deacon Stephen Osbourne delivered the ‘Toast to the Deacon’ and Deacon Judy gave her ‘Reply’ and then the ‘Vote of Thanks’ and farewell.  To end the evening, Deacon Judy asked her husband Simon to ‘Rap the Shed’ and end the dinner, which Consort Simon did perfectly with his late father’s carpenter’s rule.  The highly entertaining evening finished with the singing of Auld Lang Syne. Thanks as always to our Clerk, Tom Monteith for making it all happen.