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Chamber and committees

Congratulating Tony Lawler on his Retirement as Charleston Drummer

  • Submitted by: Neil Bibby, West Scotland, Scottish Labour.
  • Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 June 2025
  • Motion reference: S6M-17890

That the Parliament congratulates Tony Lawler on his retirement from leading the Sma' Shot Day parade in Paisley after 33 years; recognises that Tony was responsible for leading the hundreds of participants through the streets of the town whilst banging the historic Charleston drum; understands that, as part of the tradition, Tony would make a visit to at least one pub on the way where he would be treated to a well-deserved pint; notes that Sma' Shot Day is an annual celebration that remembers the victory of Paisley's weavers who fought for better pay against the mill owners and succeeded; acknowledges Tony's decades of service to his hometown of Paisley and that he was also made a Freeman of Renfrewshire in 2013, and recognises that Tommy McGrory will replace Tony at this year’s Sma’ Shot parade.


Supported by: Jeremy Balfour, Colin Beattie (Registered interest) , Miles Briggs, Foysol Choudhury, Dr Pam Gosal MBE, Bill Kidd, Paul Sweeney, Tess White