We have a busy month ahead of us with competitions, training dates and even a parade to look forward to in March!
NEW YEAR MESSAGENEW YEAR MESSAGE
Dear All,
As we approach the end of 2022, we can reflect and look back with much satisfaction. During the year, we have witnessed our Battalion and Companies returning to something approaching normal as we rebuild after the Covid lockdowns.
Much hard work has taken place by our dedicated leaders and helpers to ensure that our Companies can meet safely and enjoy a varied program of face to face activities once more. Battalion competitions are back in full swing with large turnouts of young people attending. Leaders were finally able to meet in Orkney for the NSA Conference, and we had a great fun day at Strichen Community Park to help celebrate Her Late Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. I thank everyone for their efforts and enthusiasm.
Despite the many happy memories, 2022 brought much heart-ache to our BB family in Buchan. We were devastated by the sudden loss of Duncan Leel Jnr and were deeply saddened by the loss of Andrew West, Stuart Pratt and George Birkett. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with all their family and friends. With the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II, The Boys’ Brigade lost its Patron, who had served us well for over 70 years, we once again give thanks for her dedicated service.
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!
May you all have a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2023.
Lt Marc Thomson
BATTALION PRESIDENT
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY – 13th Nov 2022 – FRASERBURGH DISTRICTREMEMBRANCE SUNDAY – 13th Nov 2022 – FRASERBURGH DISTRICT
Companies in the old Fraserburgh District of the Buchan Battalion are invited to attend the Fraserburgh Remembrance Sunday Parade and Church Service.
This will take place on Sunday, 13th November. Boys and Girls should meet at the Fraserburgh Royal British Legion (Hanover Street) for no later than 10am, the parade leaving at 10.15am for the Old Parish Church. It may be the town’s the last Remembrance ceremony in the town’s Kirk after a century, as the Church of Scotland seem adamant to close it to save them some money.
The service is expected to take about an hour (10.55am-12pm), after which the parade will march to the war memorial for a wreath laying ceremony. After this the parade will then return to the Legion building for approximately 12.45pm.
The Companies of the old Fraserburgh District include 1st, 4th, 5th Fraserburgh, 1st Sandhaven and 1st Rosehearty. Companies will parade under Battalion colours.
We look forward to seeing you on the 13th November.
Companies who normally attend commemorations at their own villages are encouraged to do so again this year, if commemorations are proceeding.
200 HOURS VOLUNTEERING – ANDREW STRACHAN200 HOURS VOLUNTEERING – ANDREW STRACHAN
Well done to Andrew Strachan, 1st Fraserburgh Company, who was presented with his certificate and badge for undertaking 200 hours of voluntary service in the community. The award was presented by his Company Captain, Duncan Leel, on Friday night.
Andrew is a current Queen’s Badge candidate, hoping to complete in 2023. Part of the Queen’s Badge is to undertake 30 hours voluntary work in the community, so 200 hours is very much above and beyond!
The President and Executive of the Buchan Battalion congratulate Andrew on this fantastic achievement and thank him for his service to the community.
200 HOURS VOLUNTEERING – ROSS DUTHIE200 HOURS VOLUNTEERING – ROSS DUTHIE
Well done to Ross Duthie, 1st Fraserburgh Company, who yesterday was presented with his Badge and Certificate for undertaking 200 hours of voluntary work in the Community.
He was presented with the award by his Company Captain, Duncan Leel, who pointed out that Ross had gone well over the usual 30 hours required for his Queen’s Badge.
Well done Ross! Well deserved!
STUART PRATT 1952-2022STUART PRATT 1952-2022
The President, Executive and all in the Buchan Battalion have been extremely saddened to learn of the death of Stuart Pratt.
Ex-Captain Pratt gave 45 years service to the 1st New Pitsligo Company, only retiring from the Company earlier this summer.
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.
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.
Just a few weeks ago we reported that Aberdeenshire Council had recognised his 45 year voluntary service with the BB with a Pride of Buchan Award.
The President and Executive send their condolences to Stuart’s wider family as well as to his BB family at the 1st New Pitsligo.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY – 4th FraserburghHAPPY ANNIVERSARY – 4th Fraserburgh
The President and Executive send their congratulations to all in the 4th Fraserburgh Boys’ Brigade Company, past and present, as they celebrate their 70th anniversary.
Battalion records show that #OnThisDay in 1952 #70YearsAgo the Company was officially registered under their first, short-lived Captain, Joe Ironside. Their Chaplain, Rev Robert C. Clarkson, was a great admirer of the work of the BB and was adamant his Church would have a Company! The Company is presently the largest in the Battalion.
We give thanks for this Company and all their boys and officers, past and present, who have enriched our Battalion over the last five decades.
THE QUEEN’S GREEN CANOPYTHE QUEEN’S GREEN CANOPY
The Battalion President, Marc Thomson, has informed us that the tree planted back in June for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is now listed on the Queen’s Green Canopy map!
The tree was planted at Strichen by Hon. Mrs. Kate Nicolson, Deputy Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire. Originally planted in celebration, the Green canopy is now a national memorial to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
You can find the map here: https://queensgreencanopy.org/map-education-hub/qgc-map/#/
DofE TRAINING FOR EXPEDITION – 2022/23DofE TRAINING FOR EXPEDITION – 2022/23
Training for DofE this year will begin 8th November 2022 at Strichen church. Parents of interested parties are invited and encouraged to attend this first night to find out what kit to get and find out what’s involved!
The weekly training day and venue will be decided depending on numbers. If numbers are average (below 25) we will continue teaching on Tuesday evenings at the venue Strichen Town
Hall in the centre of Strichen. If numbers are greater than 25 (never happened yet) we will teach on Monday nights at the Ritchie Hall Strichen.
We will continue with training for at least 3 weeks after.
If on Tuesday’s the dates will be 15th, 22nd, 29th. It’s a 10 week course total. So 6 more weeks will continue after Christmas.
Dates for hikes are yet to be confirmed depending on staff availability.
