Audio-visual technician recognised for 50 years of General Assembly service

An audio-visual technician who has supported the General Assembly for the last 50 years has been recognised for his service.

John Williams has facilitated the annual gathering in Edinburgh, which sets the policy direction of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh, every year since 1974.

He is responsible for cameras and microphones, running cables to communicate to the top table and technical corridor, and ensuring the correct information is displayed on the screen.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr Williams was integral to setting up the first online-only General Assembly and paved the way for hybrid-style assemblies in the years after.

Between 1999-2004, the General Assembly Hall in Edinburgh was used by the newly re-established Scottish Parliament.

Mr Williams of Oscus Media ensured the audio-visual system was installed properly as well as overseeing the technical requirements of the General Assembly when it was temporarily held in the Usher Hall and the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.

Rev Michael Mair, convener of the Assembly Business Committee, paid tribute to his long service.

Addressing the General Assembly, he said: "Some of those who facilitate the General Assembly do so as paid contractors.

"I would not usually highlight their contribution, enormously grateful though we are to receive their expertise, wisdom and services.

"However, I must make an exception this year to pay tribute to one person who has been a fixed feature at the General Assembly for the last fifty years.

"John Williams first Assembly was in 1974, he has not missed a single Assembly over this period.

"John facilitates all of the audio-visual components of our gathering - from ensuring that the cameras and microphones are working and operated, to running cables to communicate to the top table and technical corridor, to ensuring the right information is displayed on the screens in the Hall.

"John's advice was invaluable when the pandemic came and forced the church to move to a purely online General Assembly, and we had to rely on his technical knowledge as to what was possible for us to do.

"John now manages our hybrid style Assembly, ensuring that those who are participating remotely have the same information available to them as those who are in the Hall."

Mr Williams was called to the front of the Assembly and thanked for his service by the Moderator, Rt Rev Dr Shaw Paterson.

He said: "Thank you for your dedication and commitment, it's one of the jobs you can take for granted unless something goes wrong.

"50 years is a huge achievement."