Artizans meet First Minister

STRATHLEVEN ARTIZANS MEET THE FIRST MINISTER

On the 24th June 2006, members of Strathleven Artizans joined fellow patriots at the commemoration march from Gunhill to Bannockburn. As the Artisan’s prepared for the march with members of the society of William Wallace, Duncan Thomson, Chairman, was approached by Alex Salmond MSP. Mr Salmond asked Duncan about the great seal of Scotland which he was carrying. Duncan replied to Mr Salmond that the great seal was carved from oak by master carver john woodcock, also an Artizan. They had a lengthy conversation regarding King Robert the Bruce and the great seal of Scotland. Soon both men took their places in the parade and marched to the battlefield at Bannockburn.

Joined by other Artizan, Jim Tannock they watched various members of other organisations lay wreaths and pay their respects to the warriors who died that day, fighting to free Scotland. After the wreaths were laid, Alex Salmond said a speech on the platform and as he passed Duncan he asked if he could give the great seal of Scotland a rub for good luck. Duncan said ‘Yes, but I don’t think you will need it, with all the hard work you do.’

One of the first things that Duncan done as chairman of the Strathleven Artizans, on hearing that the MSP had won at parliament and Alex Salmond was now the First Minister, was to contact his office and remember him of the good luck rub that he had of the great seal of Scotland at Bannockburn. We offered the First Minister an antique pewter copy of the great seal. He then agreed to a visit at the parliament where Duncan, Philip Barlow, Jim Tannock and Graham Kemsley were welcomed by one of the First Ministers aids.

We were given a tour of the parliament and invited to First Ministers questions. Afterwards we were taken to a part of the parliament to meet the First Minister. He appeared along with his personal secretary and introduced himself. Duncan reminded him that they had met before at Bannockburn. He indicated that he had remembered this meeting. Duncan presented the First Minister with a box which contained a wooden gavel made from the Bruce oak. The First Minister was pleased to receive this gift. It was then that he spotted the oak seal and commented about remembering it. Turning him and ourselves towards the photographers, he pointed to the oak seal and told he on looking press, pointing to the oak seal, he boldly told them that this was the great seal, which got them into parliament and holding aloft and rubbing the pewter seal proclaimed; ‘AND THIS IS THE GREAT SEAL OF INDEPENDENCE!’

Turing to each of us he shook our hands and thanked us for the Great Seal and said that it would hang in his office. Several other members of parliament, Christina McKelvie, in particular had a chat and made us all feel very welcome!

By Duncan Thomson