Members in 1972.
At Candlelight Dinner…
The Harvey Candlelight Dinner in the St. Enoch Hotel, Glasgow, for members of the United Kingdom Bartenders’ Guild.
Above left to right Messrs J. Davidson (Black Bull, Rutherglen); B. Dishington (George Hotel, Edinburgh); W. S. Hoggard (John Harvey & Sons); and G. Barr (Exchange Restaurant, Glasgow).
Messrs J. Smith (Exchange Restaurant); C. Cicognani (Central Hotel, Glasgow); P. C. H. Jarvis (Harvey’s); and J. McIntyre (The Pines, Glasgow). 1972
Darts the in GAME.
Darts, the pies-and-pints game that is played with fanatical zeal by its hundreds of thousands adherents up and down the country, is about to acquire a new status.
It will be given the royal patronage when the Queen presents the prize to the winners of the first-ever international between the four home countries that constitutes part of the celebrations to mark Bristol’s 600th year this summer.
Pub Darts is emerging from the smoky environments of the pubs and taverns where it was cradled and hosteled. It could be the “in” pastime of the seventies, for the news of the royal patronage that’s caused quite a flutter among the thousands of darts “windows” resigned to spending two or three nights a week alone while their menfolk enjoy themselves at the local.
This is all to the good for in many aspects darts deserve to be up-graded in the world of sport. It is a game for the masses, one that often demands commitment and dedication, and finds thousands of fanatics who are willing to treat it that way.
It is also an indoor sport for the sociable who want to spend an evening in good company. Pub Darts teams and squads have their own code of conduct, and the associations and leagues that run darts have committees who make sure that no one oversteps the mark.
In Scotland the game finally became organised on a country-wide level when the Scottish Darts Association was formed about 18 months ago, after a series of meetings with the various leagues and associations. Suddenly darts came under a national “umbrella.”
Two men who had a lot to do with the organising of the SDA were Bill Boyd, a quiet-spoken Ayrshire man who is adept at handling the intricate arrangements for a big tournament, and Frank Quinn, the march secretary of the big Glasgow association.
Frank became the SDA’s first president, Bill its secretary. There’s been a tremendous enthusiasm about the whole venture. The “Scottish” are full of hope about their chances in the forthcoming Bristol international, and they want to dispatch their team dressed uniformly and correctly for this big royal occasion.
The side is loaded with talent, men like Bert McCord (Inverkeithing); reigning Scottish singles champion George Nicoll (Arbroath); and Harry Heenan (Glasgow), former Scottish and Glasgow champion. 1973.
also see are darts illegal
In the News 1974…
Punchbowl and Sou’Wester play it out in the final.
The Snapp Bar, London Road, ladies first darts league in Glasgow. 1976.
The Bruce Engine had played an important part in the Scottish Licensed Trade, overall the Bruce engine pumped millions of gallons of spirit and ales throughout the United Kingdom. In Glasgow they were used almost in universal use. Mr Bruce’s establishment at 67-73 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, it was in 1878 that the business was founded in the name of Phillips & Bruce, but since 1882 it had been carried on by Archibald Bruce. Mr Bruce had large contracts in the matter of gas fitting and plumbing and his proficiency in these departments was given much satisfaction as his patent engines and other inventions.
Mr Bruce employed twenty to thirty engineers from his large premises in Cathedral Street, there was a spacious sale shop and office to which was attached the workshop. The inventor of the Automatic Beer and Spirit Raising Machine Mr Bruce was well known amongst various members of the Scottish Licensed Trade. After fitting hundreds of engines in Glasgow pubs, neighboring towns including Broxburn, Coatbridge, Airdrie and Bathgate caught on to the idea and wanted a machine installed. Mr Bruce advertised that his Beer Engine took up little space, is connected with the main and therefore requires no cistern or air-receiver, and would pay for itself in a couple of months.
Mr Bruce also invented the “Waste Not,” and “Challenge. ” The Waste Not was a development of the Bruce with the difference that it had double action, doubly quick motion and does its work with perfect thoroughness without the loss of one drop of water. It was also fitted up with Bruce’s patent automatic regulator and with a pressure of fifty feet; the water, after working the engine, was forced to a height of about forty-five feet to a cistern. By a simple arrangement the “Waste Not” could be made to work an organ bellows. Its cost was only about one-sixth of the ordinary hydraulic engine.
The “Challenge,” was the latest design by him for situations where there is low or almost no pressure of water supply. It consisted of a dome-topped cylinder, enclosing a large float-ball rising and filling on a central rod. When the water is turned on this float-ball ascended and gradually raised an oscillating cradle containing a brass ball weight. On the desired height being reached by the float, the cradle was tilted, causing the ball to roll down, and suddenly strike a lever which at once closes, by a double-faced plug valve, the water inlet, and at the same time opened the waste-water outlet. The float-ball then sinks, and in doing so, reversed the cradle, the ball rolled back, striking the lever on the other side, the water outlet was closed and the inlet opened and the process was repeated.
Mr Bruce also had a measuring tap patented, the tap could measure half a glass, a glass or a run through, he stated that it measured even with greater exactitude than the half gill and gill stoups.
Held at the Exchange Restaurant.
In the News 1974…
Agnew’s Stores recently held a dinner-dance in the Exchange Restaurant, Glasgow, and included in the above group are Mr. R. Agnew, managing director; Mr. R. Scott, financial director; Mr. R. Taylor, director and Mrs. Taylor; Mr. P. Granville, director, and Mrs. Granville; Mr. and Mrs. A. Danks; and Mr. and Mrs. H. Samson. 1974.
of William Sanderson & Son Ltd.
Mr. Kenneth Ross, managing director of Wm. Sanderson & Son Ltd., presents the trophy to this year’s VAT 69 National Club Golfer, 18 year old Martin Ross, Carterton, Oxfordshire, who plays off a 13 handycap. This was his first big tournament, and he drove the 200 miles to York two days early to get in a couple of practice rounds. 1974.
The Scottish Wine and Spirit Merchants’ Benevolent Institution was founded in Glasgow in 1864. The East of Scotland Licensed Trade Benevolent Institution in 1887. They joined forces in 1976 to form the Benevolent Society of the Licensed Trade of Scotland, shortened to The BEN.
The BEN has 19 Directors from every section of the Trade who work throughout Scotland. They give of their time freely, helping to raise funds, manage the Charity and visit each of their Pensioners in their own home every year.
Nine retired employees from the licensed trade assist the Directors in their visits and supplement these as required to give a caring and comforting companionship. Any special needs are looked after.
Each of the pensioners receives a Christmas Gift and a Holiday Gift together with an Annual Pension. Grants are also paid to any former Licensed Trade employee, at the discretion of the Directors for temporary emergencies. Last year over 40 Grants were made to individuals.
So that fundraising in Scotland is concentrated on the one Trade Charity, the BEN purchased the Arthur Bell Estate in Pitlochry from the Licensed Victuallers’ National Homes. This Estate comprises 18 bungalows built for retired persons and is in a beautiful location on the bank of the River Tay. A subsidised rent is charged.
The Chief Executive, Chris Gardner, provides administrative support for the BEN pensioners, records of visits and payments together with assistance at the 10 fundraising events. http://www.bensoc.org.uk/
In 1874 The Scottish Wine & Spirit Merchants Benevolent Institution. Incorporated under “The Companies Acts,” 1862-1867. President: William Laurie, 26 Great Clyde Street; Vice-president: Alexander Vannan, 75 Argyle Street; Treasurer: William Gillies, 92 Hope Street; Directors: James McWilliam; William Teacher; Matthew Robin; James Steel; John McIntyre; Robert Morton; William Weir; Alexander McLaren; George Dalrymple; and George Robin. Secretary Andrew Wauchope, Accountant 170 Hope Street, Office 170 Hope Street.
In the News 1974…
Cruising in style 1895-1974!
Seventy-Nine years on… and the Scottish Wine & Spirit Merchants’ Benevolent Institution’s annual cruise “doon the watter” is still as popular as the day when the picture above was taken.
They may not have sported the same nautical caps as the directors above did during their outing to Auchenlochan in 1895, but the 565 passengers on the Queen Mary II last week enjoyed themselves just as much.
On their way to Campletown the party set new cash records, raising £146 in a collection for the Glasgow Children’s Fresh Air Fund, over £90 in a raffle for a gallon bottle of whisky donated by John E Milne, and £214 from a sweep. Incidentally the first £20 first prize in the sweep has still to be claimed, if it is not claimed in the next few days it will go to the President’s Appeal Fund.
This group of Directors of the Scottish Wine, Spirit Trade, Benevolent Institution an a day out on board one of the steamers. Left to right back row, John Eadie, James T Morrison, Henry C Sadler, George H Farmer, J M Campbell. Sitting left to right, Alexander Kennedy, James Gordon, Archibald Walker, Peter White, and Hugh Buchanan. 1902.
The Scottish Licensed Trade Defence Association 1904, including, Mr Douglas, Duffy, Morrison, Ward, Dow, Reid, Rusk and Muirhead.
The Scottish Licensed Trade Benevolent Institution members 1928, including, Mr McLean, Mr Ward, Ross, Wayger, Cotching, Wright, Walker, Shearer, Hogg, Roger, Boaz and Camer.
Members of the Scottish Wine and Spirit Benevolent Institution 1937, included in this image, Mr & Mrs Smith, Jack Learmonth, James Auld, Frank Jeans, William Cosgrove, J C Gray and John Ross. This image was taken at an annual outing at Inverary.
President A. S. Horsfall (fifth from the left) with his fellow directors before the start of the cruise. From left, J. A. Speedman (Secretary); T. C. Ferguson; W. J. Dunn; J. R. B. Kean; J. M. Martin; W. Kelly (vice-president); J. Wilson Hunter (treasurer); L. B. C. Hodge: J. M. Goodwin; and R. C. Ward.
While the weather remained dry, a blustery wind kept most people off the top deck. Getting a breath of fresh air here are R. S. Wilson (Mackinlay-McPherson); I Kennedy, Paisley; Mrs. J. Johnstone, (Bailie Nicol Jarvie, Aberfoyle); N. Hamilton, (MacKinlay-McPherson); Mrs. I. Wallace; Mrs. J. McCabe; I. Wallace; Jean Gebbie’s, Barrhead; and Joe McCabe.
Served “BEN” for 46 years…
Seventy-one-year-old William Highet of Greenock can’t stay away from the sea! He retired in 1965 after 40 years service on the Clyde steamers but every year since he has been asked to come back and help out behind the bar.
William, in fact, has been serving the directors and their guests since 1928 and “enjoyed every minuet of it,” he says. No sooner had the Q.M. II tied up at Greenock last week than William was asked by the “BEN” directors to be in his usual place next year.
He is seen above left pouring drinks for D. W. Ferguson, Canon-gate wines; W. A. Johnstone; (Bailie Nicol Jarvie) Aberfoyle; A. Stewart, Buchanan Booth Agencies; and Miss Mary Sutherland, Garfield Hotel.
Chief Engineer Tom Scott collects the Gallon Bottle of Whisky from Miss E. Nicol as president Alfred Horsfall and past president John Milne look on.
Above, in this group are A. Speedwell, Square Rig, Glasgow; G. Marshall, MacKinlay-McPherson; D. Graham, The Manhattan, Partick; S. Hastings, Whitbread; Mrs. H. Tuba; J. Baxter, Whitbread; Mrs. J. Graham, Duke of Wellington, Glasgow; R. Ewing, Whitbread; G. McIntyre, Buchanan Booth Agencies; and D. Whittington, catering officer, Queen Mary II.
Licensed Trade Defence Association outing left to right, Mr McKinnon, Mr Russel,l Mr Kenneth McLean, Mr MacRae, Mr Cosgrove and Mr Buchanan.