Norwood Trophy – David Perry

David Perry was a member of the Royal Philosophical Society of Glasgow

He was Baillie and later Provost of Kirkintilloch

He donated the Peel Park bandstand to people of Kirkintilloch

1st November 1939

DEATH OF EX-PROVOST PERRY

Many of our older readers will regret to hear of the death of ex-Provost Perry, J.P., who, some thirty years ago, filled a large place in the civic life of Kirkintilloch.  Mr. Perry resided at The Knowe, Pollokshields, and his death took place on Monday, less than six months after his wife, who died on 9th May last.

Mr. David Perry started as a manufacturing chemist in premises on the Canal Bank, Kirkintilloch, between the Basin Foundry and the Nickel Works, which have long disappeared, under the firm’s name of Perry and Hope, and resided in Lenzie.  On the business extending, he removed to larger works at Nitshill, near Paisley, but still continued to reside at Norwood, Lenzie, with a summer house at Blairuskin Lodge, Loch Ard.

Taking an active interest in public affairs, he entered the Town Council, succeeding Provost Rutherford in 1893.  His particular function there was as convenor of the Gas Committee, and he was mainly concerned in the erection and modern equipment of the gas works at Back o’ Loch.  After serving a period on the bench, he was elected Provost in 1908, on the retiral of Provost Service.  There he continued the traditions that his predecessor had set up.  As civic chief he closely identified himself with all efforts that had the welfare of the community as their object.  In the social life of the town he took a particular interest, and during his Provostship acted as host to his Council colleagues at Blairuskin, in the summer and Norwood, in the winter season.  He extended this hospitality to the public of Kirkintilloch, he and his wife being several times “At Home” to them in the Town Hall.  No organisation worthy of his patronage was overlooked.  He took a personal interest in the P.S.A. movement, and frequently addressed the meetings in the Town Hall.

He was a generous contributor to all schemes of local public benefaction. And his memory will be recalled in Kirkintilloch by his gift to the burgh of the Band Stand erected in Peel Park in May 1905.  After completing his term of office as Provost in 1911 he retired from the Council, but continued to be associated with the public life in Kirkintilloch and Lenzie.   He was an active member of Lenzie Union Church during the ministry of the Rev. (now Dr.) Jos. Johnston, and afterwards, when he removed to Glasgow, became associated with many public and charitable associations in the West of Scotland.  In particular he showed a great interest in the news boys of the city, and ultimately became the founder of the Glasgow News Boys’ League.  He had many other interests.  He was a Past Deacon of the Incorporation of Bonnetmakers and Dyers and of the Deacons’ Association.  He was a past preses of the Grand Antiquity Society of Glasgow, a member of the Merchants House of Glasgow, a former chairman of the Scottish Section of the Society of Chemical Industry, and a member of the Executive Committee of the Orphan Homes, Bridge of Weir.  For some years he was chairman of the Workshop Committee of the Princess Louise Hospital for Limbless Sailors and Soldiers, Erskine, and was a member of the Lifeboat Institution.

Among the bowlers of the Kirkintilloch District he will be remembered as the donor of the Norwood Trophy, given for the annual competition among local clubs.  A keen bowler himself, he was a member of Lenzie Club, and attached himself to a club at Pollokshields after his removal to that district.  He had business connections in South Africa, and frequently engaged in his favourite game there, as well as in Australia and New Zealand.  His interest in the competition he had set up was continued to the end of his life, as he came out once a year to present the Trophy to the winners, and was out at the presentation function in June last.  He was also an enthusiastic angler.

Mr. Perry, who was 84 years of age, was a native of Rutherglen, and a J.P. of the City of Glasgow.  He was predeceased by his wife, as already mentioned, some six months ago, and is survived by a family of four daughters, three of whom are married.  The funeral a private one, takes place tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon, and is to be preceded by a service in Pollokshields East Church, of which the minister is Rev. Mr. Wedderspoon, formerly of St. David’s Memorial, Kirkintilloch.

Link to David Perry Family Tree – https://www.familysearch.org/en/tree/pedigree/landscape/G4M2-RHH