Month: December 2023

NEW YEAR MESSAGENEW YEAR MESSAGE

31 December 202331 December 2023| Marc ThomsonMarc Thomson|

Dear All,

As we approach the end of 2023, we can reflect and look back with great pride.

During the year, we have witnessed our Battalion and Companies continue to return to something approaching normal as the effort to rebuild after Covid continues.

Much hard work has taken place by our dedicated leaders and helpers to ensure that our Companies enjoy a varied program of activities.

Battalion competitions continue to thrive with more Anchor competitions taking place, which is very encouraging to see. Several Leaders from Buchan met with friends from other Battalions at the annual NSA Conference in Inverness which was an enjoyable weekend for all.

We were saddened by the loss of long time Hon. Vice-President Tommy Whyte who dedicated much of his life to the 5th Fraserburgh and Buchan Battalion.

I was delighted to present Hon. President & Life Member, Jimmy Muirhead and his wife, Patty, with a card and flowers from the Battalion to mark the occasion of their Diamond Wedding Anniversary.

At this time, I would also like to congratulate all our young people who achieved their Duke of Edinburgh, President’s or Queen’s Badge this year. Hard work and commitment is required in order to attain them all, and so you should be very proud of your achievements!

To celebrate the 140th anniversary of the Brigade, the NSA Baton Relay has been underway since it was presented by HM the King to a member from Buchan Battalion at Braemar on 2nd September. Another 2 members from Buchan met The King & Queen that day and I’m sure it will be an experience the 3 of them will never forget.

The Baton has already passed through countless hands, and the letters from The King and NSA President, which are contained within the Baton, have been read at some very interesting landmarks. This will continue, as it makes its way through Buchan and then onto Banffshire, Moray, Highland, Orkney and then back to Aberdeen & District.

The Baton has reminded me of how the BB in Buchan is like a family and I hope all are able to spend as much time with family & friends during this festive break.

May you all have a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2024.

MARC THOMSON

PRESIDENT

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DIAMOND WEDDINGDIAMOND WEDDING

31 December 202331 December 2023| Ross DuthieRoss Duthie|

All in the Buchan Battalion send our best wishes to Mr and Mrs Muirhead on the occasion of their Diamond Wedding anniversary!

Jimmy and Patty received a card and flowers from the Battalion to mark this very special anniversary.

This afternoon the Diamond Couple were also paid a visit by The Honorable Kate Nicolson, Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire, and Cllr Ann Bell of Aberdeenshire Council as well as Battalion President Marc Thomson. Among cards sent from many well-wishers was a very special one from Their Majesties The King and Queen.

As is known Jimmy is the Honorary President of Buchan Battalion who received his MBE for services to the BB in 2017. Meanwhile Patty was a founding Officer of the 2nd Fraserburgh Girls’ Brigade who served for over 30 years. The youth of Fraserburgh owes them a great debt for their time and talent.

All in the Battalion sent their hearty congratulations to Jimmy and Patty.

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TOMMY WHYTE 1934-2023TOMMY WHYTE 1934-2023

19 December 202319 December 2023| Ross DuthieRoss Duthie|

The President, Executive and all in the Buchan Battalion were saddened to learn of the passing of Tommy Whyte, one of our long-standing Honorary Vice-Presidents, at the age of 89 years.

Tommy was a popular and hard-working officer of the Battalion who always strived for the Battalion’s betterment and for what was best for the Boy. Tommy enrolled as an Officer of the 5th Fraserburgh Boys’ Brigade (Congregational Church) in 1977, immediately taking on the role of Officer-in-Charge of the Junior Section. Joining under Captain Alex Bruce, Tommy looked after the Junior Section whilst the new Company Section was in its infancy and his success ensured the steady flow of boys to the older section. He remained as Officer-in-Charge until he stepped down in 1991, ever keen for the younger generation to take the BB forward.

At Battalion level Tommy quickly made his mark in the Junior Section Committee at first working alongside Sid Newlands until the latter’s sudden death. Tommy then became the Chair of the Junior Section Committee in 1984, his dedication seeing the Committee and its competitions and trips flourish. Tommy is still fondly remembered by some of our more senior officers for the work he undertook in organising the Officer’s Dinner Dances, which were always a highlight of the BB year in Buchan. They were also extremely profitable, his work helping to keep the Battalion in the black for many years.

The high esteem in which Tommy was held was proven in 1988 when he was elected to the post of Vice-President of the Buchan Battalion, a role he undertook whilst still attending to his roles in the Junior Section Committee. He served a full five-year term as Vice-President but made clear he had no interest in taking on the Presidency.

The Battalion were not, however, prepared to let an asset like Tommy Whyte disappear. Soon after the end of his term as Vice-President, Tommy was elevated to the role of an Honorary Vice-President. For thirty years Tommy held this distinction, being reappointed by each consecutive Battalion Council to this honorary post. Many Presidents were lucky to receive his wise counsel as he rarely missed a meeting. This was until about 10 years ago when frail health began to take its toll; at this point the Battalion Council continued to reappoint Tommy to the Executive as reward for his great and loyal service to our Battalion.

The President sends the Battalion’s condolences to Tommy’s family at this sad and difficult time and we pray that they will find some comfort that Tommy’s life was a life well lived.

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