𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝗶𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗮𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗝𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲
A special piece of Lawrie & Symington’s history has returned to Lanark Agricultural Centre, more than 80 years after it was originally presented to former Chairman James Watt.
Ann Walker (née Watt), granddaughter of James Watt, recently presented the silver salver back to Lawrie & Symington’s current Chairman, Andrew Steel. The pair are pictured in the Board Room at Lanark Market, standing in front of the historic photograph of James Watt.
𝗝𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝘁 𝗟𝗟𝗗, 𝗪𝗦
James Watt LLD, WS was born in 1863 and was a lawyer and accountant who served on several Boards. He became Chairman of the Board of Lawrie & Symington on 15 March 1929, a position he held until 12 September 1945.
In September 1945, Mr Watt was presented with the silver salver by his fellow Board members. The salver bears the signatures of the Board members at the time, together with an image of the former Lawrie & Symington market buildings.
Among those who signed the salver were Walter Elliot and Baroness Katherine Elliot, both of whom subsequently went on to serve as Chairmen of Lawrie & Symington.
James Watt had four sons, the youngest of whom was Ann Walker’s father, a doctor who inherited the salver. Following his death, the salver was put up for auction, with several members of the family interested in acquiring it. Ann was the successful purchaser and has kept the salver in her possession ever since.
Recognising its importance to the history of Lawrie & Symington, Ann felt that the salver should ultimately return to the market. With no family of her own to pass it on to, she felt it was only right that it should be returned to Lawrie & Symington for safekeeping as an important part of the company’s heritage.
𝗔 𝗧𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗟𝗮𝘄𝗿𝗶𝗲 & 𝗦𝘆𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗼𝗻’𝘀 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘁
The return of the salver provides a tangible link to Lawrie & Symington’s past and to the generations of people who have played a part in the company’s long history.
Lawrie & Symington is delighted to have the historic salver back at Lanark Agricultural Centre, where it can be preserved for future generations.
