YESTERDAY we told of council officer David Murphy's important work as the keeper of the Lord Provost's gold chain.
Now after 12 years, he has retired and today he tells of his time travelling the world, helping to promote Glasgow.
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FOR 12 years he has travelled the world, met royalty and superstars and stayed in top hotels.
But David Murphy has also spent long hours outside function rooms waiting patiently for events to draw to a close.
As council officer, he has been responsible for the safety of the priceless gold chain worn by Glasgow's Lord Provost.
Wherever the chain travelled, David travelled with it and, when not hanging around the Provost's shoulders, it was his responsibility to keep it safe.
He has worked alongside three Lord Provosts – Alex Mosson, Liz Cameron and most recently Bob Winter.
All three travelled overseas promoting Glasgow and on many occasions, David was the council official tasked with looking after the chain.
It was in his care – or a hotel safe – until it was carefully placed round the Provost's neck.
It is to David's credit that he managed to travel the world without ever misplacing the important civic treasure.
That is despite having travelled to America, Nova Scotia in Canada, Russia, Estonia and virtually every country in Europe.
Two trips will forever be engraved in David's mind – travelling to Sri Lanka after the 2004 tsunami which devastated the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in the Indian Ocean area and visiting famine struck Malawi.
He said: "Glasgow was sponsoring a village in Sri Lanka and we went there with equipment to build fishing boats.
"It was traumatic to see the extent of the damage that had been done but we could also see the work that was being done by Glasgow to help them.
"On a lighter note, I remember being in Sri Lanka with Liz Cameron and talking to the hotel manager to arrange dinner as we had guests coming.
"The manager asked who the lady was because he did not know how things worked.
"I tried to explain that she was like the Lord Mayor of Glasgow but he was still a bit confused.
"I then told him she was also a representative of the Queen and he took it into his head she was royalty.
"From then on, when we walked through the hotel every member of staff bowed.
"Wherever we went, the chain never left my side.
"I have been lucky enough not to lose it, which is just as well as I would not have been able to come home!"
The popular council official was praised by Lord Provost Bob Winter who steps down in May.
He said: "David is renowned for his wonderful sense of humour and his endless fund of jokes and stories.
"He has served many Lord Provost.
"He is a real presence and the skilful way he worked made his role look easy."
vivienne.nicoll@ eveningtimes.co.uk