Dear Candlemakers
I had intended to share with you details of some events we have organised for next year but I have a much sadder duty to perform.
On Thursday the 9th of December Peter Rae passed.
Peter first had the idea of resurrecting the Candlemakers and as such he is directly responsible for us all being here.
Peter was a past Deacon of the Candlemakers (2009 – 2012) and a past Deacon of the Hammermen and past Deacon Convenor of the Incoprorated Trades of Edinburgh.
Irene, Peter’s wife, will be having a private ceremony but there will be a memorial service at some point in the New Year. I will keep you posted of the details of this when they are known.
The Boxmaster and I will be in contact with Irene and we will pass on condolences of The Incorporation of Candlemakers of Edinburgh.
I will leave the last words to Peter himself in a statement he made about why he thought the Candlemakers shoudl be resurrrected
“My initial objective was to prevent the Incorporation from sliding into obscurity after 125 years of inactivity. As part of the City of Edinburgh’s history and tradition it is essential for people to remember the importance candles and candlemakers played in everyday life .
Having achieved our first aim with the help of a few enthusiastic citizens, enrolled as members, we now have office bearers with some renewed traditions and are recognised by the Lord Provost and Deacon Convenor of Trades. We have also made contact with other international candle Guilds and Trade Incorporations so that exchanges of information can be enjoyed.
Our next objective is to move forward into the present time, support the City and stimulate interest in it’s history while encouraging the resurgence of the use of candles. We are hoping to work with the Fire Brigade in teaching children in safety matters relating to candles and fireworks and in doing so also interest them in the history and traditions of Edinburgh. The increased use of candles in all types of therapies is an area that we feel we should be aware of and assist in promoting peoples health.
Once we have achieved these steps we then hope to be in a position to carry out local appropriate charitable work.
Any encouragement or support in our aims will be most welcome and membershiop is open to anyone with an interest in our history and our hopes and aspirations.
R.Peter Rae
Deacon.”
Omnia Manifesta Luce
Gordon Rutter
Deacon
Saturday 11/12/21