Box Opening 2017
Deacon Gary Smith
Another great evening was had by all lucky enough to be able to attend the annual Box Opening of the Merry Masons on 30th May 2017. The event took place in both the Reception Room and the Saloon. Everyone gathered in the Reception Room for pre dinner drinks and the official Box Opening.
The main interest of the evening was "what would the Deacon place in the Box to mark his year?"
Soon they were to discover the items that he placed in the Box, they were:
a red London double Decker bus which represented one of the most memorable events of his year to date when the Chain Gang took part in the Lord Mayor's Show.
The second item was a Wright's book which commemorated him joining the Incorporation of Wrights and hopefully building on the good relationships between the two crafts.
The third item placed in the box was the menu from his Choosing Dinner, which he enjoyed tremendously even though it was the first Deacon's Choosing Dinner that he had attended.
But prior to placing the items in the Box the two Key Masters had to open the old and new box. The old box is an early Charter Chest used by the Incorporation since 1674 and the new box was one presented by a Pasty Deacon in 2015 during his year in office as the old box was full. The Charter Chests used to hold the money and legal documents of the Incorporation at a time when there were no banks. The Deacon kept the box in his home and did not have a key, whilst the two keys were held by two Key Masters. This prevented the possibility of a dishonest Deacon from tampering with the contents.
The main interest of the evening was "what would the Deacon place in the Box to mark his year?"
Soon they were to discover the items that he placed in the Box, they were:
a red London double Decker bus which represented one of the most memorable events of his year to date when the Chain Gang took part in the Lord Mayor's Show.
The second item was a Wright's book which commemorated him joining the Incorporation of Wrights and hopefully building on the good relationships between the two crafts.
The third item placed in the box was the menu from his Choosing Dinner, which he enjoyed tremendously even though it was the first Deacon's Choosing Dinner that he had attended.
But prior to placing the items in the Box the two Key Masters had to open the old and new box. The old box is an early Charter Chest used by the Incorporation since 1674 and the new box was one presented by a Pasty Deacon in 2015 during his year in office as the old box was full. The Charter Chests used to hold the money and legal documents of the Incorporation at a time when there were no banks. The Deacon kept the box in his home and did not have a key, whilst the two keys were held by two Key Masters. This prevented the possibility of a dishonest Deacon from tampering with the contents.
Late Deacon David Bannerman and Late Collector David McLaren opening the Box.
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Late Deacon David Bannerman and Late Collector David McLaren were the Box Masters who had the role of unlocking the Box. This was done as usual with some difficulty, much to the amusement of all present. After opening the box, they laid on the table many of the treasures that were in the box for those present to view and ask questions of. The contents varied greatly from a section of the Berlin Wall to Doctor Who's sonic Screw Driver. A mini Mungo and a piece of Portland Stone which had been cut from the statue of Saint Mungo and with Roddy McDowall's masons mark chiseled onto it. Everyone was entertained by Tom Monteith the Clerk to the Incorporation who read an amusing minute of the Box Opening. |
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Past Deacon Iain Smith introducing the entertainment with Collector Gordon Weech looking on.
Very shortly after the meal, Past Deacon Iain Smith introduced the entertainers for the evening. We were very fortunate in enjoying the music of Cameron Nixon and Cavin Rodgers who were both students at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Cameron Nixon is a Scots singer, fiddler and composer and we were fortunate to hear him sing one of his own lovely songs and play the fiddle.
Cavin comes from Selkirk in the Borders and has played the accordion from a very early age, which was quite apparent from his superb skills.
Both young men were superb and gave renditions of a wide variety of music which was appreciated by those lucky enough to be present.
Cameron Nixon is a Scots singer, fiddler and composer and we were fortunate to hear him sing one of his own lovely songs and play the fiddle.
Cavin comes from Selkirk in the Borders and has played the accordion from a very early age, which was quite apparent from his superb skills.
Both young men were superb and gave renditions of a wide variety of music which was appreciated by those lucky enough to be present.
Deacon Convener Keith Brown replying to the toast to the Trades House
After the Box Opening, the Guests moved into the Saloon where we had a very enjoyable meal. After the meal it was time for the toasts. Deacon Gary Smith gave the toast to the Trades House and Deacon Convener Keith Brown gave the reply. In the reply, Deacon Convener Brown praised the Incorporation of Masons for the good work that they and many members have been undertaking on behalf of the Trades House.
Late Collector David McLaren gave an excellent toast to the Incorporation of Wrights where he outlined his wish to work in close friendship and harmony with them. The reply was given by Deacon Dorothy Newlands of Lauriston, Deacon of the Wrights. She also made it clear that the Wrights were delighted to work closely with the Merry Masons and was most complimentary towards the Incorporation of Masons.
The final speech was by David Bannerman who praised the Deacon and the good work that he had been carrying out as ambassador of the Incorporation.
Lastly, Jack Steel closed the evening by "Rapping the Shed" as the most senior Deacon present.
Late Collector David McLaren gave an excellent toast to the Incorporation of Wrights where he outlined his wish to work in close friendship and harmony with them. The reply was given by Deacon Dorothy Newlands of Lauriston, Deacon of the Wrights. She also made it clear that the Wrights were delighted to work closely with the Merry Masons and was most complimentary towards the Incorporation of Masons.
The final speech was by David Bannerman who praised the Deacon and the good work that he had been carrying out as ambassador of the Incorporation.
Lastly, Jack Steel closed the evening by "Rapping the Shed" as the most senior Deacon present.