The Trades House of Glasgow has elected retired solicitor Ian L Dunsmore as its 402nd Deacon Convener.

RINGING IN THE NEW

In an historic ceremony stretching back four centuries, the Trades House of Glasgow has elected retired solicitor Ian L Dunsmore as its 402nd Deacon Convener and retired stockbroker J Michael Low as Collector. Mr Dunsmore also takes on the role of Third Citizen of Glasgow.

Since it was established in 1605, the Trades House of Glasgow has played an important role in fostering trade and industry in the city, along with its 14 Incorporated Crafts. While continuing to promote traditional craft skills through a variety of initiatives, the House is now widely viewed as a centre of excellence in the administration of trusts and legacies, managing funds in excess of £19 million. Considerable resources are also devoted to general benevolent work, with grants of around £400,000 awarded each year to deserving causes and individuals.

Mr Dunsmore, who was Clerk to the Incorporation of Weavers for 28 years and went on to serve as its Collector and Deacon, is only the tenth member of the Craft to hold the high office of Deacon Convener since 1605. Born and educated in Glasgow, he is a former partner in the legal firm Bishop and Robertson Chalmers. After National Service in the Royal Navy, he served as an officer in the Royal Naval Reserve for 20 years, retiring in 1986 in the rank of Commander.

Mr J Michael Low was associate director of Tilney Private Wealth Management, retiring in January 1999. A Deacon of the Incorporation of Gardeners 1991-92, he is also now a Trustee and Director of the Tall Ship and Treasurer of the Trades House of Glasgow Lodge. In his role as Collector, he will support the Deacon Convener, backed by the 14 Deacons and Visitor of the Incorporated Crafts, warmly referred to as the Chain Gang which is attributable to the historic chains of office that each wears.

Commenting on his appointment, Ian Dunsmore said: “It is a great honour to have been elected to serve as the 402nd Deacon Convener of the Trades of Glasgow. I look forward to representing the House and also my native city during my year of office.

“My predecessor, Malcolm Wishart, has had a very busy year and greatly enhanced the reputation of the House in many ways both in the City of Glasgow and beyond, and not least of all through the inauguration of the Modern Apprentice of the Year Award. Along with my Collector and Chain Gang, we look forward to continuing the good work while welcoming new faces to our 14 Crafts, which currently have a 7,000-plus membership between them.”

Each year the Deacon Convener selects a charity as the beneficiary of major fundraising events that form part of the Trades House calendar. Mr Dunsmore’s chosen charity is Revive MS Support, an independent local organisation based in Maryhill and dedicated to supporting people suffering from Multiple Sclerosis at every stage from diagnosis onwards.

“This is an organisation in urgent need of additional therapy rooms to more effectively meet the needs of the many people affected by MS,” said Mr Dunsmore. “With a target of more than £30,000, funds will be raised for the charity through a variety of events including the annual Glasgow Ball on 10 May 2008. We are delighted to announce that Lloyds TSB Scotland has agreed to continue as our lead sponsor for the next year, contributing to this and several other key initiatives.”

The Trades House of Glasgow was founded in 1605, when the Letter of Guildry was signed establishing the organisation as a federal union of the 14 Crafts, the Scottish equivalent of the craft guilds or livery companies that developed in many of the cities in Europe during the middle ages. Today, Trades House and its 14 Incorporated Craft Guilds have more than 7000 members drawn from a wide range of backgrounds.

The House’s encouragement of youth and promotion of traditional skills across Glasgow take place through its annual initiatives - the Schools Craft Competition, Citizenship Award, Craftex awards and exhibition for college students, and the Modern Apprentice of the Year Award inaugurated earlier this year. Always concerned with the welfare of its beneficiaries (Pensioners), the House also employs a social worker to make necessary visits and help those in real need.