ANNUAL ELECTION DINNER
For almost 200 years the Paisley Hammermen Society has held an annual dinner. It was minuted in September 1833 that the members agreed to the annual election be held in the Saracen’s Head Inn at 4 o’clock and that managers and others should sup at 7 o’clock. Since 1833 the society has held an annual election dinner for members and guests.
Traditionally the dinner was held in the George A. Clark Town Hall, Paisley in the month of December each year. In 2019 the dinner was moved to the hospitality suite at the St Mirren F.C. Stadium as the Town Hall was closed for renovation.
At each dinner the Deacon acts as chairman of the event informing members of the activities of the society over the last year. New members are announced and inducted.
The dinner is a grand affair with top table guests including the Provost of the Burgh of Paisley (now Renfrewshire) and the Deacons from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Irvine Hammermen Societies attending. Members and guests wear formal evening attire or Highland dress. Members and guests are entertained with speeches, toasts and musical entertainers.
Key speeches include the toast to the New Entrants and the toast to the Town of Paisley. The Provost replies on behalf of the town.
This year’s dinner will be held on Wednesday 7th December 2022 at St Mirren FC Stadium – more details to follow.
PHOTOGRAPHS OF RECENT ELECTION DINNERS
2019 Annual Dinner at The St Mirren F.C. hospitality suite.
Top table guests: Deacon Brian Hunt, Past Deacon Alastair Gracie. Deacons of Glasgow and Irvine with Provost of Renfrewshire Lorraine Cameron and Speaker Willie Allen M.B.E.
2018 Annual dinner
Top table guests: Deacon Ronnie McGinlay, Past Deacon Eric Richardson, Deacons of Glasgow, Edinburgh and Irvine with Provost of Renfrewshire Lorraine Cameron and speaker Willie Young
2017 Annual dinner
Top table guests: Deacon Alastair Gracie, Past Deacon Graham Montgomery, Deacons of Glasgow, Edinburgh and Irvine with Depute Provost of Renfrewshire Cathy McEwan
2016 Annual dinner in the George A. Clark Town Hall.
The Top table hosted by Deacon Eric Richardson with Past Deacon Gordon Matthew, Deacons of Glasgow and Edinburgh with Provost of Renfrewshire Anne Hall
The Society is grateful to Andrew Neil, Photographer of Paisley, for providing all of the dinner photographs.