Author: Ross Duthie

KING’S AWARD FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICEKING’S AWARD FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE

His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to award the Buchan Battalion Boys’ Brigade with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service.

The award, made on His Majesty’s 76th Birthday, recognises the value of the voluntary service given by all Officers, Helpers and Young Volunteers in the Buchan Battalion for the benefit of the Boys and Girls in the communities we serve.

The King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) is the equivalent to an MBE for an organisation and is a national honour conferred by His Majesty the King.

To achieve this award the Battalion was first nominated from the community and that nomination then assessed by the Aberdeenshire Lieutenancy through visits and interviews. It required the recommendation of the Lord-Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire before the nomination was further considered nationally and ultimately approved by His Majesty the King.

This is a significant achievement for our Battalion and the volunteers who work day-in, day-out for our young people. What is special about this award is that the voluntary service of our Senior Boys and Girls was included as part of the assessment, the sheer volume of voluntary hours given by all surprising even our assessors.

This award is not for one single person, but to the Buchan Battalion and all who give their time willingly to help deliver our important work. It is a testament to the teamwork of all which has made our Battalion a national example to be followed.

Awards Celebrations 2024Awards Celebrations 2024

We had a wonderful evening of celebration at tonight’s Buchan Battalion Queen’s and President’s Badge evening at Rosehearty!

We were enjoying ourselves so much we forgot to get the big group photo of everyone at the end. But don’t worry; we have hundreds more photos to share over the coming days!

Thanks to all for attending tonight, including our Chief Guest Hon. Mrs Kate Nicolson DL who presented all the certificates. Thanks to the 1st Rosehearty for hosting the 2nd Annual Awards evening!

DUNCAN LEEL – 40 YEARS SERVICEDUNCAN LEEL – 40 YEARS SERVICE

It’s not often Duncan Leel is left speechless, but this is something our Battalion President Marc Thomson achieved on Friday night when he surprised Mr Leel with a 40 years service certificate.

Duncan Leel first became an officer of the 1st New Pitsligo in 1983 before transferring to the 1st Fraserburgh about a decade later. Duncan has now been Captain of the 1st Fraserburgh for 18 years and has served in a variety of Battalion positions including President, Vice-President, Secretary and Training Convener.

As well as receiving his certificate from the Battalion President Captain Leel was also presented with a gift from his Company to a mark the occasion.

Al in the Battalion congratulate Duncan on this magnificent milestone of service.

DUKE OF EDINBURGH GOLD AWARD – MARCUS STUARTDUKE OF EDINBURGH GOLD AWARD – MARCUS STUART

Congratulations to Marcus Stuart of the 1st Fraserburgh who has achieved his Gold Duke of Edinburgh after a great deal of hard work and dedication.

Marcus, who achieved his Queen’s Badge last year, was presented with his award certificate by Moira Givan. It is hoped that his badge will be awarded at the Palace of Holyroodhouse soon.

This is the first Gold Duke of Edinburgh awarded to a member of his Company for many years. Ruary McDonald, 4th Fraserburgh, also recently achieved this high award.

Well done Marcus!

QUEEN’S BADGES – 1st FraserburghQUEEN’S BADGES – 1st Fraserburgh

Congratulations to Brody Tocher and Jon Anderson of the 1st Fraserburgh who have been presented with the Queen’s Badge, the highest award in the Boys’ Brigade.

Brody’s badge was presented by Battalion Secretary Yvonne Duthie whilst Jon asked that his dad present him with his badge.

Well done to both recipients who put in a great deal of work for the badges. They should be the last recipients of the Queen’s Badge in the 1st Fraserburgh and the Buchan Battalion before the award becomes the King’s Badge.

CROSS COUNTRYCROSS COUNTRY

Well done to all the Boys who took part in the Scottish Cross Country!

Buchan Battalion came first in the Intermediate group taking home the Dunlop Trophy for the very first time!

Liam B (1st Rosehearty) came third in the individual Intermediate event improving his qualifying time.

All ran very well on what turned out to be a sweltering day at (Dunblane) and should be proud of their efforts and medals!

DUKE OF EDINBURGH GOLD – RUARY MCDONALDDUKE OF EDINBURGH GOLD – RUARY MCDONALD

Ruary McDonald, 4th Fraserburgh was awarded his Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award this morning at the Joint Church Service at Fraserburgh West Kirk.

Congratulations to Ruary in gaining the award for which he volunteered for 12 Months within the Brigade ⚓️, did Cooking/Baking 🥧for his skill and Badminton 🏸for his Physical for 6/12 Months, did his Gold Expedition in Glen Clova, Cairngorms ⛰️for 4 days/3 nights and a residential on a yacht ⛵️with Ocean Youth Trust on the West Coast for 5 days/4 nights.

Ruary will attend the Gold Presentation at Holyrood, Edinburgh in July where he will be presented with Certificate by Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh