Colquhoun Dinner
Glasgow Junior Chamber of Commerce
3 Feb 2006

"OH, WHAT A NIGHT? WITHOUT THE KARAOKE"

On Friday 3rd, a brave band of Edinburgh JCs ventured through to the west to attend JCI Glasgow's annual Colquhoun Dinner. For those not familiar with this west coast tradition, it involves lots of speeches and lots more drinking (in true Glasgow style!).

The evening begins with a humorous review of the year 1906 from The Glasgow Herald by the Glasgow Chairman, this year Jacqui Mitchell. It then rolls onto a sumptous dinner served in the auspicious surroundings of the Trades Hall. A wonderful building and well worth a look round if you ever have 30 mins to spare in Glasgow.

A long established tradition also upheld at this dinner is that in the 15 minute interval/comfort break between the dinner and the speeches almost the entire party leaves, runs across the road to a local bar and has a quick drink before running back! Organised chaos and the barflys are
amazed for 15 minutes before we all disappear off again.

The Colquhoun Dinner is a celebration of all things Glasgow, starting with a toast to an "illustrious forebear", a Glaswegian who has made a substantial contribution to the city. This year it was Isabella Elder, an educated woman who lived in a time when women were considered delicate
beings, not robust or intelligent enough to run a business. Despite this, Isabella took over the running of the Elder Shipyard when her husband John died and continued running it for many years and with continued success. She also gave generously to the city establishing schools (particularly for the education of women), libraries and a substantial park. She was a well respected local heroine in her day and her legacy was toasted by David Innes and Dr Joan McAlpine.

The second celebration of Glasgow is a toast to the City and Culture. This was very ably and humorously given by Alison McMahon and replied to by the Chairman of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce. Much was made of the old industry of ship building which still continues on the Clyde, the new industries in IT and medical research and the great shopping, and we might just get round to forgiving Alison for referring to us as "Eastie Beasties" by the time it comes to the next dinner!

The final toast of the evening is to the Chairman. This year, Stuart White, Glasgow's star speaker gave us a sparkling insite into Chairman Jacqui and her wicked, wanton, inebriated ways. We didn't believe a word of it (?), but cheered and laughed in good measure just the same.

The wine flowed freely throughout making for great conversation with our table-mates from Sweden, Ireland and Iran. The wine continued to flow after the speeches and the dinner were finished over at the Millenium Hotel.

There was no traditional Glasgow karaoke, for which we are grateful. This was a very tastefully done and enjoyable Glasgow tradition which I'm sure Edinburgh will continue to support (despite being "Eastie Beasties"!)

Karen Manson
(Extremely Hungover!)