The Scottish Region Annual Dinner 2005

Held at the Inchyra Grange Hotel, near Grangemouth, the Scottish Region Annual dinner is one of the highlights of the year when transport and logistics professionals get together in a social atmosphere. This year's dinner was a formal occasion and sponsored by both Caledonian MacBrayne, the principal sponsor, and First Group.

After pre-dinner refreshments, members and guests took their places and the Master of Ceremonies, Mr. G. Condron, opened the proceedings by welcoming the guests and the Institute's National Chairman. George Brown then said grace after which the five-course dinner was served. Mr. Stephen Rinsler, the CILT (UK)'s Chairman proposed the Loyal Toast.

After the meal, the Scottish Region Chairman, John Yellowlees addressed the audience after which this year's business speaker, Mr. Steve Fitzgerald, the Chief Executive of Glasgow Prestwick Airport spoke on the developments in airfreight transport that are taking place at Prestwick and looked at the significance of regional airports to the economy, both in Scotland and the UK as a whole. He also looked at the European dimension and outlined the planned growth by his company following the recent acquisition of Kent International Airport.

He was followed by Mr. W. Young, a solicitor and football referee who regaled members and guests with a number of amusing anecdotes from his time as a football referee as well as some from his work as a solicitor.

The final part of the evening was the prize draw in aid of Transaid, the international Transport Charity, which raised a total of £1,500.

Report by John Fender.