Weston Trophy
From the Society’s records: the Weston Trophy, as the newsletter defined it · all the Society’s awards
The Weston Trophy was the Society’s team prize: each year a branch entered four to six pieces, no more than one by any member, and the Board of Selection marked them. It was first won in 1957 and last presented in 2019.
The rules, as the Society posted them in 2006
The History of the Weston Trophy
In the early 1950s, when the Weston Leathercraft Guild disbanded, the money left in the Treasury was turned over to the Executive Council of the CSCL. The Executive, in their wisdom, chose to use the funds for a trophy to perpetuate the Weston Leathercraft Guild, which was the first leather craft guild in Canada under the Canadian Handicrafts Guild.
The first Weston Trophy was presented to the London Branch in 1957. By 1958, the judging was based on a Point System, where six articles from one Branch were judged. The Point System, as it was, is described in detail in the “Canadian Leathercraft,” Volume 7, No. 4, Summer 1958. In 1961, five articles were required, and today, only four articles are required, but the Executive reviews this number annually.
Rules of Entry for the Weston Trophy include the following:
- Each Branch much be a full fledged member of the CSCL
- Articles must be the work of CSCL members in good standing
- 5 (or 4) articles selected by the Branch constitute one entry. If less than the required number of articles is submitted, the final mark is divided by 5 (or 4)
- An individual member may enter only one article
- No article shall be accepted that has been in a previous Branch competition
- No article submitted for Associate or Fellow may be entered in the Branch competition that year, but Branch competition articles may be submitted for Associate or Fellow in the future
- Judging is completed by the Board of Selection, using the Point System with particular attention to design and workmanship
[The first rule prints “much” where “must” is meant. The Society’s words stand as it posted them.]
The proceeding discussion of the rules and regulations is not to deter you, but to encourage you and your Branch to become involved in the annual Weston Trophy Branch competition!
Marking Criteria – Points System of Judging for Weston Trophy, Associate and Fellow Entries
Revised: April 28, 2006
[The revision date belongs to the rules above it. The marking criteria linked here are a later revision, and end “Last updated: April, 2013”.]
The final count, 1957–2021
Counted from the roll of winners below.
- Awarded: 62 years. The trophy was competed for in 63 of the 65 years from 1957 to 2021, and a branch is named in 62 of them, in the roll below.
- Not judged: 2 years — 2020 and 2021. No competition was held, and the roll says so in those years.
- Not presented: 1 year — 2014. Entries were judged but the trophy was not presented and no branch was named.
- Wins per branch: Hamilton 31, Toronto 11, Woodstock 7, Barrie 6, Mississauga 6, London 1.
Roll of honour, 1957–2021
Every branch that won the Weston Trophy, with the score and the crafters who made the winning entry wherever the Society printed them. The list of years and branches comes from the roll of the original trophy shield, transcribed by editor Audrey Gorton for the Winter 1989 Canadian Leathercraft when the shield was filled; each year has then been checked against the report of that year’s Annual Meeting. 1990 and 1991 are from their own reports, the shield having ended. 1992–1996, 2005 and 2016 on are from the newsletters of those years. Every year from 1957 to 2021 has a winner recorded. No trophy was judged in 2021, the year the Annual moved onto Zoom.
| Year | Branch | As the Society reported it |
|---|---|---|
| 1957 | London | The first award. The judges found the choice between Hamilton and London 'indeed most difficult'; Tillsonburg, then a new branch of small membership, also entered. The trophy's origin was retold in a 1970 retrospective: presented by Edith Roscoe, a charter member of C.S.C.L. and first president of the Weston Leathercraft Guild; when that branch disbanded, its treasury funded the trophy the Executive Council established for group displays by competing branches — which is why it carries the Weston name. |
| 1958 | Toronto | 151.6 of 168 Dr. Larmour scored each branch's six pieces out of a possible 168 points: Toronto 151.6, Hamilton 144.6, London 116, Tillsonburg 109.8 — the second of Tillsonburg's two recorded entries, not yet two years old as a branch. |
| 1959 | Toronto | Only three guilds competed - Hamilton, London and Toronto. Hamilton placed second. Spring 1959 · Volume 8, No. 3 |
| 1960 | Hamilton | 92%, beating London's 85% and Toronto's 83% Entry by Mr. Torry, Harold Wilson, Mr. Courneya, Clarence Redman, Mrs. Beech, Irva Ford Hamilton's first win, recalled in the branch's own history as 'one of the biggest thrills our Guild ever experienced'. 1960-spring p3, the Society's own contemporaneous report (this was Hamilton's third year placing second before this win), gives the team's names slightly differently from this 1966-summer retrospective: "Clarence Redmond" (not "Redman") on the masthead as Publicity Chairman, and "Frank Tory" (not "Torry") as a Council member — both as printed on 1960-spring p6. Left as printed in each source; the Weston Trophy jury's own comment that year, printed 1960-spring p3, was that "each craftsman should work within the limits of his experience and not try to handle something which can only be done by a trained artist." Summer 1966 · Volume 15, No. 4 |
| 1961 | Toronto | Entry by Bob Muma, Jean Newton, Dorothy Proctor, Sadie Roebuck, J. Zalitis Spring 1961 · Volume 10, No. 3 |
| 1962 | Barrie | The Barrie Branch's annual report for 1962/63 states it: 'Five members obtained Associate Standing and we are proud to report the winning of the Weston Trophy in 1962.' Spring 1963 · Volume 12, No. 3 |
| 1963 | Barrie | The 13th Annual Meeting report: "Congratulations are extended for the second successive year to BARRIE Branch who won the trophy which was presented by Dr. R.K. Larmour. Three Branches, Barrie, Hamilton and Toronto competed with all scoring higher than 85%." Spring 1963 · Volume 12, No. 3 |
| 1964 | Barrie | Entry by Clara Cavanagh, Hilda Darbyshire, Betty Heacock, Jessie Trew, Dwayne Trew The Barrie Branch's own annual report: 'we were pleased ... to have the honour of winning the Weston Trophy again.' The 14th Annual Meeting's own report (1964-spring p1, contemporary with the win) names the five crafters of the winning entries and calls it “another first”: the Barrie Branch's third Weston Trophy in succession (after 1962 and 1963). Spring 1965 · Volume 14, No. 3 |
| 1965 | Hamilton | Presented by Clarice Packham No branch scored below 90 per cent. Spring 1965 · Volume 14, No. 3 |
| 1966 | Hamilton | 94.58% Summer 1966 · Volume 15, No. 4 |
| 1967 | Toronto | 93.22% Entry by Nan Astley, Fred Brown, Anne Hook, Gladys Riddell, Clarice Packham Barrie 89.55%, Hamilton 84.13%, London 71.02%. Spring 1967 · Volume 16, No. 3 |
| 1968 | Hamilton | 87.59% Entry by Irva Ford, Ruth Haig, Jean Newton, Jessie Strain, Muriel McKnight Presented by Marion Kehoe, London Awarded at the Eighteenth Annual Meeting, Woodgreen United Church, Toronto, 6 April 1968. The 1989 roll gives this year to Barrie; see the note below the table. Summer 1968 · Volume 16, No. 4 |
| 1969 | Barrie | 90.3% Entry by Kay Cloughley, Clara Cavanaugh, Nora Huyck, Betty Haycock, Hilda Darbyshire Received for the branch by its president, Eleanor Coutts. Spring 1969 · Volume 18 |
| 1970 | Toronto | 85.3% Presented by Helen Wheaton The critique was given by Nora Huyck, assisted by Sadie Roebuck. Spring 1970 · Volume 19, No. 1 |
| 1971 | Toronto | 90.4% Entry by Anne Hook, Itsuko Yasui, Olivia Smith, Nan Astley, Gladys Riddell Presented by Helen Wheaton Branch averages: Toronto 90.4%, Hamilton 85.2%, Barrie 84.1%, Woodstock 77.9%. Members scoring over 90%: Irva Ford (Piggy Bank, Hamilton) 99.4%, Olivia Smith (Belt, Toronto) 98.8%, Clare Cavanagh (Utility Bag, Barrie) 95.5%, Anne Hook (Coaster Set, Toronto) 93.2%, Itsuko Yasui (Purse, Toronto) 91.9%. Summer 1971 · Volume 20, No. 1 |
| 1972 | Toronto | 83.2% The Fellows' own item-by-item critique of every branch's entries survives for this year, though badly degraded by scanning -- no crafters are named in it, only the pieces and the judges' remarks. Toronto's winning score, 83.2%, appears twice and is legible with confidence. Barrie, Hamilton and at least one other branch (the fourth branch name is illegible, cut off before "Plaque") also entered. Individually critiqued pieces include a candle holder, a covered bottle, a slim morocco wallet, a hanging weed pot, a gardenia pin, a card case, an album, a plaque, a vase, a drawstring purse and a handbag -- the surviving commentary calls out a saddle-stitched hanging weed pot (Cuir Bouilli) and a moulded vase with a hose run through it to hold fresh flowers as particular standouts. |
| 1973 | Toronto | 83.65% Summer 1973 · Volume 21, No. 4 |
| 1974 | Barrie | 84% Entry by Emma Knowles, Gary Walsh, May Corbett, Sherle Bottrill, Clara Cavanagh Awarded at the annual meeting at Holloway Street United Church, Belleville, 4 May 1974. Score confirmed independently by the Council of Fellows' own report for the year, and by the minutes of the 24th Annual Meeting (the 24th Annual Meeting minutes, pp.6, 12). The team and their pieces, from the same issue's p4 judging report: Emma Knowles (Oblong Tray), Gary Walsh (Man's Belt), May Corbett (Bottle), Sherle Bottrill (Ring Binder), Clara Cavanagh (Handbag). Spring 1974 · Volume 22, No. 3 |
| 1975 | Woodstock | 87.6% Presented by Beula Reynolds Vice-President Beula Reynolds gave a brief history of the trophy and, Woodstock Branch being the recipients, presented it to herself (25th Annual Meeting minutes, read from the 1976 programme appendix). Toronto 87%, Hamilton 85%, Barrie 80.2%, Belleville 66.2%. Clarice Packham, marking the day by giving a book to every member present, gave a second book to Madeleine Mitchell, the newest member with the highest mark in the Weston Trophy competition. Summer 1975 · Volume 23, No. 4 |
| 1976 | Hamilton | 88.8% Entry by Bea Austin, Irva Ford, Art Morris, Dan Hanington, Margaret Weldon Accepted by Hope Drysdale. Toronto 85.4%, Woodstock 84.6%, Barrie 77.8%. Each piece was scored individually and printed with a critique: Dan Hanington's Purse 76%, Art Morris's Saddle Bags 86%, Irva Ford's Spoon Rack 93%, Margaret Weldon's Box 96%, Bea Austin's Basket 93%. Summer 1976 · Volume 24, No. 4 |
| 1977 | Toronto | 88% Only three branches entered. Two Toronto pieces scored above 90 - a pendant by Mary Patterson at 93% and a belt and purse by Itsuko Yasui at 92%. Hamilton 85.2%, Woodstock 79.8%. June 1977 · Volume 25, No. 4 |
| 1978 | Woodstock | 83.8% Entry by Beula Reynolds, Loreen Manuel, Carol McLean, Joy Hutcheson, Madeleine Mitchell Appraised by Helen Wheaton: Toronto second at 80% (one article scoring 90%, the highest mark given), Hamilton third at 60%, Barrie fourth at 76%. The five crafters of the winning entry are named on 1978-summer p5's own sketch-plate, one caption per piece (as printed), matching page 2's report of 'the five articles in the winning entry': Beula Reynolds, Loreen Manuel (printed “LORENE MANUEL”), Carol McLean, Joy Hutcheson and Madeleine Mitchell (printed there as "Madelaine", as_printed). The 28th Annual Meeting minutes corroborate the score. A separate, fuller Fellows' critique survives giving item-by-item marks for every branch's five pieces, no crafters named. Barrie's five items (Ring Binder 78%, Book Cover 80%, Pendant 68%, Red Bottle 75%, Brown Bottle 79%) average to 76%, matching this record's existing Barrie figure exactly. Hamilton's five items (Nude Picture 78%, Jug 78%, Tray 85%, Purse 77%, Shoe Horn 82%) average to 80%, not the 60% recorded here -- kept as printed, not reconciled; the sharp gap suggests one of the two figures may be a misprinted digit; the page as printed does not settle which. The Toronto and Woodstock headings run together where the two lists meet; ten items (Wallet 88%, Tray with Holes 76%, Tray 90%, Pendant 81%, Purse 81%, Free Form Sculpture 87%, Purse 83%, Bottle Lamp-Base 80%, Wall Plaques 82%, Book Cover 87%) are split between the two branches, and the second group of five averages to 83.8% -- exactly Woodstock’s winning score as recorded here -- suggesting, but not confirming, that the first five belong to Toronto (averaging 83.2%, close to but not exactly matching Toronto's recorded 80%). |
| 1979 | Hamilton | 92% Presented by Helen Wheaton Accepted by Muriel McKnight, president of the Hamilton Branch, on behalf of the five members whose articles made up the entry. Barrie, Toronto and Woodstock also competed. The full minutes of the 29th Annual Meeting, printed as an appendix to the following year's booklet, confirm the same four branches and give the appraisal itself to Carol McLean, assisted by Jessie Little. (the 29th Annual Meeting minutes, p.4.) The 30th Annual Meeting programme, reporting the same appraisal, gives the full order of finish: Hamilton 92%, Woodstock 86.3%, Toronto 84.5%, Barrie 83.8%. January 1980 · Volume 28, No. 2 |
| 1980 | Hamilton | 85.87% Entry by Bea Austin, Margaret Weldon, Irene Kirkland, Ruth Haig, Hope Drysdale Only two branches entered this year, Hamilton 85.87% against Toronto's 78.32%. Appraised by Carol McLean, assisted by Gladys Riddell. Confirmed independently by the Council of Fellows' own report for the year. (Minutes of the 30th Annual Meeting, printed as an appendix to the following year’s booklet, pp.5,10.) Spring 1980 · Volume 28, No. 3 |
| 1981 | Barrie | 85.5% Entry by Kay Cloughley, May Corbett, Clara Cavanagh, Emma Knowles, Sherle Bottrill "Four of the Branches were represented in the Weston Trophy Competition this year, with Barrie Branch winning the coveted award." Appraised by Bea Austin, assisted by Carol McLean and Gladys Riddell. Score 85.5%; the pieces were a shoe bag by Kay Cloughley, book ends by May Corbett, a carrying case by Clara Cavanagh, a bowl by Emma Knowles and a card case by Sherle Bottrill. Confirmed by the minutes of the 31st Annual Meeting, printed as an appendix to the following year’s booklet, p.5. Summer 1981 · Volume 29, No. 4 |
| 1982 | Hamilton | 74.07% Entry by Bea Austin, Hope Drysdale, Ruth Haig, Muriel McKnight, Art Morris Presented by Jack Meharg The Council of Fellows' own report gives the full appraisal: Hamilton 74.07% against Toronto's 73.49%, the only two branches entered, appraised by Jean Hunter assisted by Carol McLean and Bea Austin, at the home of Robert and Dorothy Muma, 19 March 1982. (the Council of Fellows’ 1983 annual report, p.11.) This newsletter's own p7 commentary on the Toronto entry prints "AVERAGE MARK: 73.40%," not the minutes' 73.49% — both readings are as printed; a small disagreement between the two contemporary sources, neither corrected here. Summer 1982 · Volume 30, No. 4 |
| 1983 | Woodstock | 86.22% Entry by Beulah Reynolds, Carol McLean, Loreen Manuel, Sharon Alderson Presented by Ray Potter Received by Jean Pickering, the branch president. Appraisal of all pieces by Helen Wheaton, assisted by Gladys Riddell. The page prints her name “Lorene Manuel”. Summer 1983 · Volume 31, No. 4 |
| 1984 | Toronto | 86.8% Presented by Madeleine Mitchell |
| 1985 | Toronto | 85.6% Presented by Ruth Haig Highest individual marks: Fred Brown, Desk Pad, 97; Loreen Manuel, Moulded Tray, 97. (newsletter 1985-summer p3) Awarded at the 35th Annual Meeting, held at the Continental Inn, Barrie, 27 April 1985. Summer 1985 · Volume 33, No. 4 |
| 1986 | Hamilton | Presented by Ruth Haig Presented to the Hamilton Leathercraft Guild at the annual meeting opened by Audrey Gorton, president of the host branch; Ruth Haig, 1st Vice-President, made the presentation. The 1986 newsletter does not name the winning team or its pieces. The team and marks printed in 1986-87-winter belong to the 1987 meeting and are listed under 1987. |
| 1987 | Hamilton | 82.66% Entry by Bea Austin, Dave McPherson, Ruth Haig, Karla Van Horne, Betsy Rennie Awarded at the 37th Annual General Meeting. Toronto second with 80.03%, Woodstock third with 77.97%. Ruth Haig gave the history of the trophy before the presentation. The same issue prints the winning branch's five articles with the mark each was given (p5, "WESTON TROPHY ARTICLES"): Bea Austin — 89.165% — Small Moulded Basket, which judge Walter Sunahara called "Just a perfect simple little Basket - Delightful"; David McPherson — 88.88% — Small Orange Box with Hexagon design; Betsey Rennie — 84.995% — Geometric Photo Album; Karla Van Horne — 79.995% — Small Address Book with Saddle Stitching Inlay; Ruth Haig — 75.83% — Covered Bottle with Onlay of a Snake (the page prints "Betsey Rennie", kept as printed). The judges' commentary on all three branches' five entries, printed the following issue, gives every team and the piece each member made: Hamilton (winning) — Bea Austin (Small Basket), Dave McPherson (Small Box), Ruth Haig (Covered Bottle), Karla Van Horne (Address Book), Betsy Rennie (Geometric Album Cover); Toronto — Jack Meharg (Clock), Jessie Little (Clock), Mary Patterson (Pendant), Lillian Kay (Blue Jay), Margaret LaChappelle (Card Case); Woodstock — Carol McLean (Box), Jean Pickering (Carved Writing Case), Loreen Manuel (Red Note Book), Madeleine Mitchell (Desk Set), Beula Reynolds (Cuir Bouilli Jug). |
| 1988 | Hamilton | 76.74% Entry by David McPherson, Ruth Haig, Karla Van Horne, Bea Austin, Sharon Gogischwili Only three guilds entered - Hamilton, Toronto and Woodstock. The history of the trophy was given by Karla Van Horne. Appraised by Gladys Riddell and Bea Austin; Dorothy Muma, presenting it, remarked the work was not the best she had seen and some marks were low. Team and items from 1988-spring p4: David McPherson (Blue Hinged Box), Ruth Haig (Red Morocco Book Cover), Karla Van Horne (Pencil Holder, Basket Weave), Bea Austin (Dk. Brown Sole Leather Tray), Sharon Gogischwili (Natural/Dk. Brown Box). The minutes of the 38th Annual Meeting corroborate the score. Spring 1988 · Volume 36, No. 3 |
| 1989 | Hamilton | 83.3% Entry by Bea Austin, Sharon Gogischwili, Ruth Haig, Dave McPherson, Betsy Rennie The last year inscribed on the original shield, which was filled; President Ruth Haig ordered a new one for the Society's 40th anniversary. Appraised by Jessie Little assisted by Gladys Riddell; Dorothy Muma read the trophy's history before presenting it. The newsletter's own report (1989-spring p7) prints "HAMILTON BRANCH - 83.3%", the same figure as the minutes, and names the winning team and the piece each member entered: Bea Austin (3 Legged Stool), Sharon Gogischwili (Small Round Box with Enamelled Lid), Ruth Haig (Orange and Black Square Box — the same Craftsman Ribbon piece printed "Orange & Brown" a page earlier, not reconciled), Dave McPherson (Blue Box with Stone Inside) and Betsy Rennie (Suede Jacket). Spring 1989 · Volume 37, No. 3 |
| 1990 | Mississauga | 82.1% Entry by Don MacLeod, Bill Whittingham, Cliff McTavish, Lois MacPherson, Kevin Armstrong Mississauga won on its first year's entry, edging out Hamilton, Toronto and Woodstock. Its president Don MacLeod opened the envelope himself. Appraised by Jessie Little, assisted by Lillian Kay; confirmed independently by the minutes of the 40th Annual Meeting, printed as an appendix to the 1991 annual booklet, pp.4–5. Spring 1990 · Volume 38, No. 3 Not engraved on the trophy’s second shield, read off the trophy in 2026 |
| 1991 | Hamilton | 85.7% Entry by Sharon Beasley, Ruth Haig, Muriel McKnight, David McPherson, Betsy Rennie Presented by Bill Whittingham Accepted by the branch president, Betsy Rennie. The critiques of every branch's entries were read by Betsy Rennie, assisted by Hilda Newitt. The 41st's own minutes, printed as an appendix to the 42nd/1992 booklet, give the full breakdown: Hamilton 85.7% (Betsy Rennie, David McPherson, Ruth Haig and Muriel McKnight), Mississauga 83.9% (Cliff McTavish, Lea Love, Lois MacPherson, Bill Whittingham and Don MacLeod), Toronto 81.1% (Bruce White, Cal Lucas, Jessie Little, Fred Brown and Jack Meharg), Woodstock 80.9% (Nancy Durham, Madeleine Mitchell, Loreen Manuel, Dorothy Stanton and Beula Reynolds). This source names Hamilton's own team as four, not the five the Summer 1991 newsletter gives — Sharon Beasley is absent here; neither source corrects the other, and both are kept. (the 1992 annual booklet, pp.4–5.) Summer 1991 · Volume 39, No. 4 Also engraved on the trophy’s second shield, read off the trophy in 2026 |
| 1992 | Hamilton | 80.8% Entry by Sharon Beasley, Ruth Haig, Muriel McKnight, David McPherson, David Windeyer Woodstock's entry averaged 73.8%. Bill Reis, publisher of the Leather Craftsman's Journal, was guest speaker at the 42nd Annual, hosted at the Beacon Motor Inn, Jordan Station (Vineland), on Lake Ontario. The minutes of the 42nd Annual, printed as an appendix to the 43rd/1993 booklet, give the full breakdown: Hamilton 80.8% (Sharon Beasley, Ruth Haig, Muriel McKnight, David McPherson and David Windeyer), Woodstock 73.8% (Nancy Durham, Loreen Manuel, Madeleine Mitchell, Margaret Monteith and Beula Reynolds) — no other branch entered. (the 1993 annual booklet, p.3.) The newsletter's own Weston Trophy drawings (pp.4-5) name each piece: for Hamilton, Black 'Shell' Box with raised decoration on the lid (David McPherson), Business Card Tray, wine with gold inlay (Sharon Beesley — the drawing's own hand lettering, differing from "Beasley" in the 1993 booklet's minutes; both as printed, unreconciled), Mukluks of leather tanned by Dave Windeyer with fur trim and bone conchos (Dave Windeyer), Brown Tray with hammered decoration (Muriel McKnight), and Wine Coloured Oval Box lasted on a wooden form (Ruth Haig); for Woodstock, Leather Maché Footstool (the drawing spells her "Buela Reynolds", the text elsewhere "Beula" — both as printed, unreconciled), Leather Maché Wastebasket (Loreen Manuel), Eyeglass Case (Madeleine Mitchell), Deer Skin Purse (Nancy Durham) and Cherub Face, on an unnamed piece (Margaret Monteith). Summer 1992 · Volume 41, No. 4 Also engraved on the trophy’s second shield, read off the trophy in 2026 |
| 1993 | Hamilton | 85.4% Entry by David Windeyer, Muriel McKnight, David McPherson, Sharon Beasley, Ruth Haig Presented by Dorothy Muma, Chairman of the Council of Fellows The five pieces were a Magnifying Glass Case (81%), a Hinged Box (84%), an Oval Moulded Box (84%), a 3 Piece Desk Set (92%) and a 5-Strand Braided Belt (86%); Toronto entered at 69%. Bill Whittingham, having the higher average of the two new Associates, was awarded the Zalitis pin. Summer 1993 · Volume 42, No. 4 Also engraved on the trophy’s second shield, read off the trophy in 2026 |
| 1994 | Hamilton | 81.96% Held at Prudhomme's Place, Vineland; the team's pieces included a Camera Case (78.3%) by Betsy Rennie, a Moulded Tray (76.6%) by Muriel McKnight, a Push Box (90%) by David Windeyer, a Desk Set (86.6%) by Sharon Beasley and a Moulded Oval Box (78.3%) by Ruth Haig. Nancy Durham won the Zalitis Pin. Spring/Summer 1994 · Volume 42, Nos. 3 and 4 Also engraved on the trophy’s second shield, read off the trophy in 2026 |
| 1995 | Hamilton | Only Hamilton and Toronto entered this year's branch competition; the Society's own report calls on the rest to “get started now on your 1996 entry.” Jack Meharg presented Hamilton with the trophy at the 45th Annual, hosted by the Woodstock Branch. Summer 1995 · Volume 43, No. 4 Also engraved on the trophy’s second shield, read off the trophy in 2026 |
| 1996 | Hamilton | 79.8% Entry by David Windeyer (bottell), Betsy Rennie (one-piece wallet), Muriel McKnight (belt), David McPherson (hinged-lid box), Ruth Haig (covered bottle) Hamilton won “but only by a slim margin ahead of Woodstock.” The 46th Annual Meeting minutes, printed the following spring, give the exact marks: Hamilton 79.8%, Woodstock 79.0%, Mississauga 72.4%, Toronto 66.6%. The Society's newest Fellow, Bill Whittingham, gave the trophy's history before announcing the result; with the guilds getting smaller, the Annual Meeting voted to reduce entries from five pieces to four beginning the following year. Summer 1996 · Volume 44, No. 4 Also engraved on the trophy’s second shield, read off the trophy in 2026 |
| 1997 | Woodstock | 84.5% Entry by Loreen Manuel, Nancy Durham, Madeleine Mitchell, Beula Reynolds Mississauga (73.1%) and Toronto (66.3%) also entered. The judges' critique, printed the same issue, gives every branch's entries and marks: Mississauga — Don MacLeod (Bear Buckle, 65%), Joyce Scruton (Paperweight, 72.5%), Kevin Armstrong (Saddle Case, 67.5%), Bill Whittingham (Mirror, 87.5%); Toronto — Al Foss (Desk Blotterpad, 68.3%), Bruce White (Bottle, 75%), Roselle Wallace (Pins, 55%), David Windeyer (Wallet, 66.7%); Woodstock (winning) — Loreen Manuel (Trophy Stand, 91%), Nancy Durham (Daytimer, 86%), Madeleine Mitchell (Pencil Cup, 86%), Beula Reynolds (Picture Stand, 76%). Loreen Manuel's Trophy Stand was also named Best in Show, separately from the Weston Trophy itself. Also engraved on the trophy’s second shield, read off the trophy in 2026 |
| 1998 | Woodstock | 80% Three branches entered, four pieces each. The judges' critique printed the same issue gives every branch's average — Woodstock 80%, Hamilton 78.1%, Toronto 68.8% — the highest carrying the trophy; no separate winner announcement was printed in this issue beyond the marks. Woodstock's four entries and their marks: Bookends (88.8%), Card Box (71.3%), Oval Box (75.0%), Belt (85%). The crafters who made them are not named on the critique page. Also engraved on the trophy’s second shield, read off the trophy in 2026 |
| 1999 | Hamilton | 79.69% Woodstock 79.04%, Mississauga 77.25%, Toronto 70.29%. Karla Van Horne's carved knife sheath (Hamilton) was individually marked over 90%, the highest of the show. Judged 1 April 1999 at Bill Whittingham's home; the winner was announced at the 49th Annual, hosted by the Toronto Branch. Also engraved on the trophy’s second shield, read off the trophy in 2026 |
| 2000 | Hamilton | Entry by Karla Van Horne, Sean Dalgetty, Peter Grove, Ruth Haig Pieces judged: Pen Case (Karla Van Horne), Album (Sean Dalgetty), Canteen (Peter Grove), Ranger Belt (Ruth Haig). No score was printed. Ribbons and the trophy were presented to Peter Grove and the Hamilton members at the 50th Annual (Woodstock). This is Hamilton's win in the middle year of the three-peat the 2001 entry describes ("Hamilton's 3rd consecutive Weston Trophy win", following 1999). Also engraved on the trophy’s second shield, read off the trophy in 2026 |
| 2001 | Hamilton | 83.1% Entry by Sean Dalgetty, Peter Grove, Muriel Strongman, Lauchlan Harrison Hamilton's 3rd consecutive Weston Trophy win. Runner-up scores: Mississauga 82.8%, Woodstock 76.9%. Pieces judged: Briefcase (Sean Dalgetty), Guitar Strap (Peter Grove), Tray Wing (Muriel Strongman), Mitts (Lauchlan Harrison) for Hamilton. Also engraved on the trophy’s second shield, read off the trophy in 2026 |
| 2002 | Woodstock | 77.5% Entry by Beula Reynolds, Loreen Manuel, Heather Atkinson, Madeleine Mitchell Runner-up scores: Mississauga 75%, Hamilton 71.67%. Pieces judged: Photo Binder (Beula Reynolds), Bookends (Loreen Manuel), Pen Stand (Heather Atkinson), Round Box (Madeleine Mitchell) for Woodstock. Also engraved on the trophy’s second shield, read off the trophy in 2026 |
| 2003 | Hamilton | 75% Entry by Sean Dalgetty, Peter Grove Runner-up: Woodstock, 71.6%, the only other entry this year. Pieces judged for Hamilton: Black Saddle Bags, Hinged Box (Sean Dalgetty), Decorator Cushion with Carving (Peter Grove), Hummingbird Picture — the page does not name who made the Saddle Bags or the Hummingbird Picture. For Woodstock: Soft Leather Bag (Madeleine Mitchell), Passport Wallet (Jean Pickering), Red Clock/Stylized Gear Clock (David McPherson), Pencil Cup (Loreen Manuel). Also engraved on the trophy’s second shield, read off the trophy in 2026 |
| 2004 | Hamilton | 77.2% Runner-up: Woodstock, 76%. The archive holds no Spring or Summer 2004 newsletter, so no surviving paper prints the result; the Society's own 2026 member questionnaire records the win and the two scores. The Society's second trophy shield is engraved Hamilton for 2004, which confirms it. Also engraved on the trophy’s second shield, read off the trophy in 2026 |
| 2005 | Hamilton | Three branches entered — Mississauga, Hamilton and Woodstock. “Hamilton won! Many Congratulations to Lauchlan Harrison and his Hamilton CSCLer's,” the Annual report says. Spring 2005 · Volume 53, No. 3 Also engraved on the trophy’s second shield, read off the trophy in 2026 |
| 2006 | Hamilton | Woodstock placed second, Mississauga third. Hamilton's submitted articles earning ribbons were credited to Mike Lemaich, Lauch Harrison, Peter Grove and Sean Dalgetty FCSCL. Also engraved on the trophy’s second shield, read off the trophy in 2026 |
| 2007 | Hamilton | Entry by Peter Grove, Lauch Harrison, Catherine Royale, Sean Dalgetty Norland, Toronto, Mississauga and Woodstock each entered; judged by Ruth Haig, FCSCL, and Carol McLean, FCSCL. Pieces: Flask with Face (Peter Grove), Red Purse (Lauch Harrison), Face Purse (Catherine Royale, printed “Royle” on the Craftsman Ribbon list two pages earlier in the same issue), Flask with Head Knife (Sean Dalgetty). The 57th Annual Meeting’s own minutes give the full order of finish: Hamilton 84%, Woodstock 79%, Mississauga 76%, Norland 63%, Toronto 61%. Also engraved on the trophy’s second shield, read off the trophy in 2026 |
| 2008 | Hamilton | Entry by Peter Grove, Sean Dalgetty, Tracey Gearing, Lauchlan Harrison Woodstock Branch placed 2nd, Mississauga Branch 3rd. Pieces named on p7: Shooting Case (Peter Grove), Cowboy Boots (Sean Dalgetty), Carved Book Cover (Tracey Gearing), Gate Mouth Case (Lauchlan Harrison). Also engraved on the trophy’s second shield, read off the trophy in 2026 |
| 2009 | Woodstock | Entry by David McPherson, Madeleine Mitchell, Jan Malec, Lauren McPherson Woodstock was the only branch to enter this year; the editor's own note calls it hard to say "won" for that reason. Pieces: “Elmira” Box (David McPherson), Picture Frame (Madeleine Mitchell), Molded Goat (Jan Malec), Teardrop Box (Lauren McPherson). Presented by David McPherson, Chairman of the Council of Fellows, at the 59th Annual, 2 May 2009. Spring 2009 · Volume 57, No. 3 Also engraved on the trophy’s second shield, read off the trophy in 2026 |
| 2010 | Hamilton | Entry by Rob Regan, Lester Pinter, Amy Kenny, Laima Sellmer The Society's 60th Anniversary Annual Weekend. Three branches entered — Mississauga, Woodstock and Hamilton. Pieces: Stack-Handled Knife and Sheath (Rob Regan), Rose Tote Bag (Lester Pinter), Peacock Belt (Amy Kenny), Quilt Square (Laima Sellmer). Three of the same four crafters (Regan, Kenny, Sellmer) won again the following year with a fourth member, Laurie Lloyd, in Rob Regan's absence — see 2011. Not engraved on the trophy’s second shield, read off the trophy in 2026 |
| 2011 | Hamilton | Entry by Bob Freeman, Amy Kenny, Laurie Lloyd, Rob Regan, Laima Sellmer David McPherson presented the trophy to Laima Sellmer, Amy Kenny and Laurie Lloyd; Rob Regan and Bob Freeman were absent from the presentation but are named with the rest of the team on p7's own prize table (Briefcase/Freeman, Belt/Kenny, Photo Album/Lloyd, Saddle Bags/Regan, Wallet/Sellmer). Spring 2011 · Volume 59, No. 3 Also engraved on the trophy’s second shield, read off the trophy in 2026 |
| 2012 | Mississauga | 80.4% Entry by Verginiya Kecheliev, Karen Weber, Rob Phister, Gary Cook, Ken Boroski Edged out Hamilton; presented by Council of Fellows President David McPherson. Pieces: Brown and Copper Purse (Verginiya Kecheliev), Black and Red Purse (Karen Weber), Coasters (Rob Phister -- printed "Phister" twice on p4, "Pfister" once on p7's ribbon list; kept as Phister, the form printed more often here and the one this roll records for 2011), Whip (Gary Cook, not pictured), Saddle (Ken Boroski, not pictured, "additional piece"). The Weston Trophy judges’ own written comments on the Coasters entry name Rob Phister too. The judges' own comments on the year's entries close with the two branch averages that decided it: Mississauga 80.4 per cent, Hamilton 72.8 per cent. Spring 2012 · Volume 60, No. 3 Also engraved on the trophy’s second shield, read off the trophy in 2026 |
| 2013 | Hamilton | Announced in the Summer 2013 newsletter, Volume 61, under the headline "2013 Weston Trophy Goes to Hamilton Branch"; no score or team is printed. Also engraved on the trophy’s second shield, read off the trophy in 2026 |
| 2014 | Not presented | The report of the 64th Annual Meeting records that no presentation was made: the President made an executive decision not to present the Weston Trophy that year, after problems with the selection of articles for judging, and the Board of Selection concurred. The rules of the competition were read out at the meeting to clarify them for future years. No branch was named. The trophy's second shield is engraved Hamilton for this year; see the note below the table. Spring 2014 · Volume 62, No. 3 Engraved Hamilton on the trophy’s second shield, read off the trophy in 2026 |
| 2015 | Mississauga | Entry by Brian Holahan, Eugene Pik, Kim Winchester, Karen Weber Won at the Annual with a mark of 88.1; the team's pieces were Carved Spurs by Brian Holahan, a Magic Box by Eugene Pik, a Carved Portfolio by Kim Winchester and a Black Handbag by Karen Weber. Spring 2015 · Volume 63, No. 3 Also engraved on the trophy’s second shield, read off the trophy in 2026 |
| 2016 | Mississauga | Entry by Jim Wilkes, Bob Pfister, Kim Winchester, Eugene Pik Won at the 66th Annual; the team's pieces were a Boot by Eugene Pik, a Dragon Sculpture by Bob Pfister, a Punch Case by Kim Winchester and a Butterfly Carving by Jim Wilkes. Spring 2016 · Volume 64, No. 3 Also engraved on the trophy’s second shield, read off the trophy in 2026 |
| 2017 | Mississauga | Mississauga's third consecutive win; the report records only the presentation photograph, not a score or team list. Spring 2017 · Volume 65, No. 3 Also engraved on the trophy’s second shield, read off the trophy in 2026 |
| 2018 | Mississauga | Mississauga's fourth consecutive win; the report records only the presentation photograph, not a score or team list. Spring 2018 · Volume 66, No. 3 |
| 2019 | Hamilton | Ended Mississauga's four-year run. Spring 2019 · Volume 67, No. 3 |
| 2020 | Not judged | The Society’s 70th Convention was postponed to 2021. Meeting by Zoom on 26 June 2020, the Executive decided that for everyone’s safety the convention should be put off a year because of the coronavirus outbreak; the Annual General Meeting, and with it the judged competition, was reported the following spring as having been on hold since May 2020. Spring 2020 · Volume 68, No. 3 |
| 2021 | Not judged | The Annual General Meeting moved to a virtual Zoom format, on hold since May 2020; the Council of Fellows' notice for that year's photograph-judged Leatherwork competition says plainly, “No Associate, Fellow or Weston Trophy will be Judged.” January–April 2021 · Volume 69, No. 2 |
No winner is recorded after 2019. In 2025 the 75th Annual Meeting amended the entry to three articles. The motion was moved by Sean Dalgetty and seconded by Sheena Burger (Minutes of the 75th Annual General Meeting, 10 May 2025).
The trophy itself, a second source for 1991–2017. A second source for 1991 to 2017: the trophy itself. The winners engraved on the Weston Trophy's second shield were read off the trophy in 2026 and set down branch by branch — Hamilton 1991 to 1996, 1999 to 2001, 2003 to 2008, 2011, 2013 and 2014; Mississauga 2012 and 2015 to 2017; Woodstock 1997, 1998, 2002 and 2009; Norland none. It agrees with the report printed at the time for every year but 2014. Two years the reports do name are not on it: 1990, which the report of the 40th Annual Meeting gives to Mississauga, and 2010, which the Spring 2010 newsletter gives to Hamilton. The shield begins at 1991 because the original shield, transcribed for the Winter 1989 Canadian Leathercraft, was filled at 1989; why 2010 was never engraved is not recorded.
1968 is in dispute. The 1989 roll is the only source that says Barrie won in 1968, and it contradicts itself on the same page: the tally printed directly beneath the roll credits Hamilton with twelve wins including 1968, and Barrie with six, not seven. Two further sources agree with the tally. The Annual Meeting of 6 April 1968 was reported in Canadian Leathercraft vol. XVI no. 4 - 'the coveted Weston Trophy was taken home this year by the Hamilton Branch winning the competition by an average of 87.59' - and the 1975 Annual report gives the running totals as Toronto 8, Barrie 5, Hamilton 4, London 1, which match the roll only if 1968 is Hamilton's. The roll's 1968 line is a typing error and the year is recorded here as Hamilton, with the roll's reading noted.
2014 is in dispute. The report and the trophy disagree about 2014. The Spring 2014 newsletter, reporting the 64th Annual Meeting, says that no presentation was made: “Lauch Harrison, President CSCL made an Executive decision this year and did not present the Weston Trophy, the Branch Competition”, after problems with the selection of articles for judging, the Board of Selection concurring; the rules were read out to clarify them for future years and no branch was named. The trophy's second shield, read off the trophy in 2026, is engraved Hamilton for 2014. Both stand here: the roll keeps “Not presented”, as the Society reported it at the time, with the engraving recorded beside it. When the year was engraved, or on whose instruction, neither source says.