President's summer BBQ brings industry together

After months apart during the pandemic, members of the Scottish Plant Owners Association got to meet up at the inaugural President’s summer barbecue held ON the rooftop garden OF the Glasshouse Hotel in Edinburgh.

The event brought together industry stalwarts alongside some of the newest plant operators, as well as apprentices from the National Construction College. Members, guests and partners were treated to a stunning rooftop venue that was family friendly, with excellent food, and music provided by a traditional Scottish band from Oban.

​Speaking about the event, President of the association, Callum Mackintosh, said: “It was a privilege to host such a broad representation of our membership, from national plant hirers to rural contractors along with manufacturers and their respective dealers. This event was a snapshot of the future of our industry. We had Scottish plant operator and mechanic apprentices from both the NCC at Bircham Newton and Inchinnan, we had Jamie Currie and his family who made the headlines last year for being the youngest person to gain a Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) Red Card, and we had one of our youngest female plant operators Regan Falconer who is just 16 years old. All of these young people who see their future in the plant industry were chatting alongside our industry stalwarts – it was just great to see."

Our band, Ceol An Aire delivered us a truly brilliant performance of traditional Scottish music and Gaelic singing along with some very well performed covers thrown in for good measure. The band were most fitting for what is possibly the only recent SPOA event to be held in the Capital, certainly the only one as far as guests can remember.

“The venue and staff were first class; the band was excellent, and it was really heart-warming to finally get together as colleagues and friends after such a tough year for everyone. To do so in our capital city, also a first for SPOA, was even better. This inaugural barbecue was a pilot but the feedback has been so positive that it will now be a permanent feature in our diary, so for those members who didn’t make it this year, I would encourage them to save the date for next year.” 

A good time was had by all with a donation made to The Lighthouse Club with donations continuing to be made from attendees and members. 

You can keep up to date with our future events here.

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