soutar's convention

**DWFII** · 31st October 08, 05:00 PM

I just got back from the Annual General Meeting of The Honourable Cordwainers' Company--a 501 C-3, non-profit, educational, Trade Guild--in Guthrie Oklahoma of all places.

Guthrie is an old Victorian town 20 miles or so north of Oklahoma City, and was once the capital of Oklahoma. One of the best bootmakers in the USA hosted the meeting which included an international assortment of boot and shoemakers.

A good friend of mine presented me with a WPG balmoral, as he had just made himself a duplicate from an old WWII (?) army uniform originally own by an officer who was fairly famous in the regiment by the name of Brinkman (?). The uniform had gotten a bit moth-eaten so he salvaged the fabric. It was as well constructed, or better, than the WPG he gave me and the WPG is pretty dern nice...fully lined and all. You will see him wearing the Brinkman and me wearing the WPG in some of these photos.

Here are a couple of quick shots of just two of the beautiful old buildings in Guthrie.

Here is the hostess--Lisa Sorrel (in the middle) and her husband, Dale on the extreme right.

I'm in the middle in this B&W taken in low light with an old bellows style film camera.

Here is a photo of myself and my particular friend, Al Saguto, on the right (the one who gave me the balmoral and made his own). Al is the head shoemaker at Colonial Williamsburg. We were in the midst of a whiskey tasting--with about six different malts..starting with the Laphroig 15 I brought and ending with a Glennfiddich 12(?...I don't remember). Laphroig 15, Lagavulin and Talisker are my preferences.

Here is a photo of myself and my wife dancing a waltz in a restaurant that had a bluegrass band. Bruce Graham, in the breacan feile asked if he could sit in with them and did a wonderful job. They actually invited him up a second time.

Finally here's a photo of all the kilties in Guthrie Oklahoma on Saint Crispin's Day (patron saint of shoemakers) night --the 25th of October--along with our hostess, Lisa Sorrel.

**Riverkilt** · 31st October 08, 05:18 PM

Great pics from a gathering of craftsmen...but help me here...kilts and shoemaking...just common sense, the current kilt boom, or something I'm missing?

Regardless, a sharp looking group and I can sense the fellowship.

Thanks,
Ron

**DWFII** · 31st October 08, 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by Riverkilt

but help me here...kilts and shoemaking...just common sense, the current kilt boom, or something I'm missing? Ron

Ron,

No immediate connection. Just so happens that a number of us have Scots ancestry and it has become a bit of a tradition (our tradition) to celebrate St. Crispin's day with a toast...single malt, of course...and it just naturally follows that if you've got 'em, wear 'em. Next year there might be several more. And several of the lasses in the group are Scots, as well. Now that you mention it, however, I wonder if there might be something in the blood?

Of course "soutar' is a Scots word for shoemaker...as is "snab."

**Freelancer** · 31st October 08, 05:38 PM

Good looking group of kilties and great old buildings there in Guthrie. Thanks for sharing,

**Riverkilt** · 31st October 08, 05:46 PM

Thanks DWFII,

How cool is that, a fellowship within a fellowship.

Learned something today. Is this a great board or what!?

Ron

**DWFII** · 31st October 08, 05:45 PM

Might add that Al Saguto is a corporal in the Glasgow Highlanders, Highland Light Infantry (WWII re-enactors) and his kilt is an authentic vintage WWII 22 ounce Black Watch.