Category: General News

LT STUART PRATT – RETIRES AFTER 45 YEARSLT STUART PRATT – RETIRES AFTER 45 YEARS

19 June 202219 June 2022| Ross DuthieRoss Duthie|

On Friday evening Lt Stuart Pratt retired from the 1st New Pitsligo Boys Brigade after 45 years years service.

A long-time Captain of the Company, Stuart started volunteering with the then minister Rev. Ralph for 2 years from 1977 before becoming an officer in 1979.  Over that him he has been involved with the Junior & Company section.

Over the years he has taken the boys away on residential trips and I’m sure he has many a funny story to tell! He has also been involved in the Battalion Executive Committee representing the Juniors.

Last year Stuart took the decision to step down from the captaincy of the Company after a considerable number of years as Skipper. On stepping down Stuart continued with the Junior Section under Captain Mowat.

His successor as Captain, Elaine Mowat, said: “Volunteering is so rewarding, I always think it takes a special person to step up and give their time to others and be committed. I am sure Stuart has made a difference to many lives along the way. Stuart, may you be proud of the work you have done, the person you are and the difference you have made in your time at the Boys Brigade. We wish you good health and enjoyment with your retirement”

The President and Executive of the Buchan Battalion wish to take this opportunity to add their thanks to Stuart for his decades of service to the 1st New Pitsligo Company and congratulate him on making such a milestone. We wish him well on his retirement in the sure knowledge he will never be a stranger to the BB!

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SERVICE OF THANKSGIVINGSERVICE OF THANKSGIVING

29 May 202229 May 2022| Ross DuthieRoss Duthie|

This evening the Battalion President, Marc Thomson, attended a service of Thanksgiving for Her Majesty the Queen at St. Ninian’s and Forglen Parish Church, Turriff. He was accompanied by Jim Muirhead MBE, Honorary Battalion President, and the Queen’s Badge Advisor.

The evening was organised by the Presbytery of Buchan and it was a wonderful service of thanksgiving and song to mark the Queen’s historic 70 year reign and her deep faith. It was also great to meet with our colleagues from Banffshire Battalion.

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PLATINUM JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS – LIGHTHOUSEPLATINUM JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS – LIGHTHOUSE

28 May 202228 May 2022| Ross DuthieRoss Duthie|

Between 2nd-4th June senior members of the 1st Rosehearty, 1st Fraserburgh and 4th/5th Fraserburgh Companies will man the historic Kinnaird Head Lighthouse to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee!

The former lighthouse tower will be lit between 8pm-midnight, but will be more visible after about 10pm.

If you see the light (it has a range of about 25 miles) remember it’s the BB thats keeping it going over those three nights!

Part of the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses‘ Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

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Walk the Line – 11th JuneWalk the Line – 11th June

26 May 202226 May 2022| Ross DuthieRoss Duthie|

The Juniors and Company/Seniors Section are invited to “Walk the Line” on Saturday 11th June to raise funds for the Battalion Mini-bus!

The Fraserburgh, Rosehearty and Sandhaven Companies will walk from Lonmay to Strichen, whilst the Strichen, New Pitsligo and New Deer companies will walk from Maud to Strichen. Other companies should get in touch to see how they can take part!

The Juniors and Company/Seniors will then join the Anchors at Strichen Community Park for 1pm to take part in a fun day!

We hope to see as many of you there as possible. Captains are asked to submit approx numbers to the Secretary in the very near future!

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PLATINUM JUBILEE – Fun DayPLATINUM JUBILEE – Fun Day

23 May 202223 May 2022| Ross DuthieRoss Duthie|

The Buchan Battalion will celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on Saturday 11th June!

Boys and Girls will be invited to take part in a sponsored walk across part of the old railway converging at Strichen for a fun day of potted sports at 1pm!

We will be joined by special guest The Hon. Mrs Kate Nicolson, Deputy Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire.

We hope to see as many of you there as possible! Information and sponsor forms have been distributed to Company Captains.

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VAULT – LAUNCH 30TH APRIL 2022VAULT – LAUNCH 30TH APRIL 2022

21 April 202221 April 2022| Ross DuthieRoss Duthie|


The Buchan Battalion Vault will be launching on the 30th April 2022!
Over the past year, we have sorted through over 2000 photos,videos and documents which are nearly ready for you to view.


We are excited for you to see it.The link will be https://vault.buchanbb.org.uk/


If anyone has any media they would like to submit, or anyquestions, please email vault@buchanbb.org.uk


We will let you know how to access the vault once it is live!

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NEW VICE-PRESIDENT – CAPT. STEVIE WILSONNEW VICE-PRESIDENT – CAPT. STEVIE WILSON

30 March 202230 March 2022| Ross DuthieRoss Duthie|

At our recent AGM Stevie Wilson, Captain of the 1st Strichen Company, was elected to become the new Vice-President of the Buchan Battalion.

Stevie is one of the most senior Captains in the Battalion having led his Company for over 20 years. His time in the BB goes back much further though as he grew up in the BB in Peterhead. Last session he marked his 30th year as an officer in the Brigade showing his long-term dedication to the organisation.

At Battalion level he has served in a number of positions. For many years he has served as Duke of Edinburgh Advisor to the Buchan Battalion, a permanent co-opted position on the Battalion Executive specifically for him. In this role Stevie and his team, particularly Kevin Mutch, has opened up opportunities of Duke of Edinburgh work for BB members across Buchan. His own company is known for its embrace of expedition and outdoor work and through his initiative and co-ordination this is now on offer to many more companies. He has also been Parade Commander of the Battalion since 2016 and very proudly led his first parade through his home village that year.

The President and Executive congratulate Stevie on his elevation to the post of Vice-President and wish him well in his continued service to the Battalion.

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LT SHEILA WATT RETIRES – 47 YEARS SERVICELT SHEILA WATT RETIRES – 47 YEARS SERVICE

29 March 202229 March 2022| Ross DuthieRoss Duthie|

This evening Lt Sheila Watt, Officer-in-Charge of the 1st Fraserburgh Anchor Boys, retired in her 47th Year in post. Sheila was the first and, until tonight, only OIC of the section which she formed in 1976 with other BB wives under the slogan “if you can’t beat them, join them”! Hundreds of upon hundreds of Fraserburgh’s young (to middle aged) men have passed through her section and many into the wider BB as officers.

As fate would have it our new Battalion President, Lt Marc Thomson, made his first public appearance in his new role to witness Sheila’s final night in charge of her section. The President was one of Sheila’s loons 1994-97, an association which he will always be proud of. The President handed Mrs Watt a private letter to mark the occasion. He was accompanied by Queen’s Badge Advisor and former Battalion President Michael Strachan, one of Mrs Watt’s old boys 1992-95, who was very keen to remind everyone he was Best Boy of 1995!

Duncan Leel Snr, Captain of the 1st Fraserburgh and another former President of the Battalion, paid touching tribute to Sheila’s many years of dedicated service to the Anchor Boys and the wider Company. It was his privilege, he said, to count her among his friends and to have the benefit of her experience over a 20 year friendship. Mr Leel presented Mrs Watt with a beautiful wristwatch with an engraving on behalf of the Company to mark her many years of dedicated service. Mrs Watt will be succeeded in post by her daughter, Tracy.

The Battalion President wishes to add his congratulations to Sheila on this outstanding achievement and to thank her for all that she has contributed to the Boys’ Brigade in Buchan.

Photograph (l-r): Capt. Michael Strachan (Best Boy, 1995), Lt. Sheila Watt OIC (1st Fraserburgh Anchors Boys), Capt. Duncan Leel Snr (Captain, 1st Fraserburgh), Lt Marc Thomson (President, Buchan Battalion).

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