Grand Opening

Medieval Banquet

March 2006

The photos below are from our official launch in 27th March 2006, the medieval banquet was held in the Carman Social Inclusion centre in Renton and we had over 75 people from the village and surrounding areas in attendance.

The Hall was decorated in Tartan, Saltires, Lion Rampants, bunting and around the hall was the magnificent paintings which was all made from recycled material and painted by Artizans John Woodcock, Diane Woodcock, Duncan Thomson and Jim Tannock.

The fantastic banquet feast was made and prepared by Artizan and Master Chef Graham Fleming.

The feast included rabbit, hare, venison, (varies types of cold hams and meats and a pig’s head supplied by Morrison & Ritchie Family Butchers) decorated the medieval table for the grand feast, all the game was supplied by our very own Master of the Hunt Mr Rab Melville.

The banquet table certainly the centre of attention and everyone loved it, there was plenty to go round and everyone left with a doggy bag full and we even gave some to the local old folk as well !!.

The Banquet was soon seated and ready to start, we had the King’s Piper Philip Barlow who answered the call to come and Pipe for KRB, and he led the party of Special guest to their tables.

The guest all had names of the folk from Bruce’s time at Pillanflatt i.e. Spruill the Purser, Sergeant Murdoch, Earl of Lennox and of course the King (Robert Bruce and his Queen) etc as well as other too numerous to mention.

We had guests over from the States-- Mr & Mrs Harry & Diane McAllister and they had the great honour of representing KRB and his Queen.

With 75 people sat ready and desperate to get tucked into the feast The King’s Piper played a tribute to our hero King with “Ode to Robert the Bruce” we soon had the wenches serve the tables with food and wine.

After everyone was stuffed full to busting we had a few speeches from the top table, we had Archie Thomson MBE congratulate Strathleven Artizans on a wonderful Banquet and told the story of how we came about and what we have planned for the local community and hoped we go from strength to strength.

We Had the King (Harry McAlister) give a speech on how he came across us through his good friend and our very own No 1 historian on KRB Mr Stuart Smith who did a lot of work along with his good friend Phil Graham in putting together all the names of the varies people for the banquet and it was Phil who Compared the ceremonies and organised the nights entertainment with a few musician from the local folk scene.

Duncan Thomson our Chairman then brought the business of the speeches to a closed by thanking all the members of the Artizans for their time and dedication and hard work to get the banquet ready and making the night a great success, along with thanking the (wenches) the young ladies who served up the food and drink.

He also thanked Archie Thomson MBE, Drew McEwen and the staff at the Carman Centre along with Cordale Housing Association for all their support, help and encouragement in getting Strathleven Artizans up and running and we look forward to working with them in the future to benefit the good people of Renton and surrounding areas with our ancient and medieval history.

He finished off by thanking all the special guests for attending and the local people who came along to support us on our opening night.

After some comforts breaks we had our MC Phil Graham introduce our first act of the evening when The King’s Piper Philip Barlow piped in the Highland dancers from the Stewart School of Dancing who gave a fantastic display of traditional Scottish Highland dancing they got the second half of the night off to a flying start.

We then had the main band for the evening the fabulous Heelster Gowdie who put on a great show, we also had a few other turns on the night, they all played great and enjoyed the atmosphere of the occasion.

The night just flew in and it was soon time to bring the festivities to an end with the traditional Scottish ending to a superb evening with auld lang syne.

A Very Special thank You Goes to Stuart from Totally Tartan at the Lomond outlets who sponsored the Artizans committee by supplying them all with full highland outfits…..Stuart you’re a top guy Thank You.

A Big Thank You to all the Artizans, our sponsors and supporters who gave their time and energy and helped to make our opening night a very very memorable one and set us on a new journey that will take us on a new road into the future……………………Who knows were it will lead……we look forward to the journey…….…Thank you one and All.

Yours Regards

Jim Tannock & Duncan Thomson.

Men “O” Bruce &The Committee of Strathleven Artizans