Tag: 1st Fraserburgh

DofE Assessment Expedition 2022DofE Assessment Expedition 2022

Congratulations to the 9 young men from Buchan Battalion who completed their Assessed Hikes in challenging conditions this weekend.

Well done to Bronze boys Jon & Brody (1st Fraserburgh); Kyran (1st New Pitsligo); Bailey (4th Peterhead)

and Silver boys Marcus & Ross (1st Fraserburgh); Ruary (4th Fraserburgh); Brandon & Connor (1st New Pitsligo) you have all done brilliantly well and a credit to yourselves and your Companies

Thanks also to Steven Wilson (Assessor), Kevin Mutch (Trainer), Kevin Lynch (Supervisor Bronze), Derek Richardson (Supervisor Silver) Grant Massie, Martin Dunbar & Fraser McCann for staffing the Hikes over the weekend.

Bronze Group
Silver Group

DUKE OF EDINBURGH PRACTICE HIKEDUKE OF EDINBURGH PRACTICE HIKE


Eleven young men set off on their Bronze and Silver DofE Practice hike yesterday!

The Bronze candidates must complete a two day hike with one night wild camping whilst the Silver candidates must complete a three day hike with two nights wild camping.

Here are the pictures from yesterday!

Good luck to the candidates and thank you to the officers for giving their time to make these important activities happen.

Bronze Group
Silver Group

Duncan Leel Jnr – FuneralDuncan Leel Jnr – Funeral

We were all shocked and saddened to hear the news about Duncan Leel Jnr last week. Our thoughts and prayers go to Duncan Snr and Jessie at this very sad and difficult time.

Funeral arrangements have now been confirmed and are posted below. Could we ask all officers/boys past and present, who plan to attend to wear BB uniform/tie if at all possible? This will be very much appreciated.

LEEL

(Fraserburgh)

Suddenly and sadly at home on Saturday June 4, 2022, Duncan Scott, aged 40 years, beloved son of Duncan and Jessie, loving grandson, nephew, cousin and good friend to many. Funeral service from Fraserburgh Old Parish Church on Thursday June 16 at 10am, thereafter to Rathen Cemetery, to which all family and friends are respectfully invited. Coaches will be leaving from the church to the cemetery and back to the church centre, the family have requested these be used to ease congestion. Family flowers only please but donations may be given in lieu, if so desired at church door in aid of 1st Fraserburgh Boys Brigade. Very sadly missed.

Alexander Buchan & Son, Funeral Directors

DUNCAN S. LEEL 1982-2022DUNCAN S. LEEL 1982-2022

It was with a deep sense of shock and sadness that many of us heard of the sudden passing of Duncan Leel Jnr, aged only 40 years.

Duncan was a long-time member of the 1st Fraserburgh Company after briefly starting his BB journey in the 1st New Pitsligo Anchors. In 1992/93, when the 1st Fraserburgh Company Band was reformed, Duncan was quick to sign up. Learning the snare drum under Alastair Sinclair, he would go on to become senior drummer to the band. In 2002 he was appointed Bandmaster of the Company Band and served in that post for the next 20 years. Under his tenure the band had a number of successes at the BB Scottish Band Contests.

Followers from further afield will remember Duncan from the many Scottish Band competitions he attended as a boy, officer and bandmaster. In many respects many of his old boys will remember him most fondly for the same thing, from the days when the pilgrimage to the contest was an annual event. His band was also the Band for the Buchan Battalion, being called upon to cover our parades.

Between 2016-20, Duncan served as Officer-in-Charge of the 1st Fraserburgh Junior Section. It was something of a return, being a long-standing senior officer of the section for the decade between 2000-10. A popular officer in Juniors, he won the Officer of the Year award on a number of occasions. In total, Duncan gave upwards of 20 years service to the Boys’ Brigade as a staff member and Lieutenant in his company.

Away from BB he is perhaps best known for managing and then owned the Dick’s Sports business. Many an officer will know of his kindness in business, as there was always a wee BB discount of some description added to the final bill. This was a kindness and helpfulness he had in all spheres of life and something that will be missed by his many friends. Very recently Duncan had embarked on a new career as a bus driver, something he loved and was proud of, which makes his untimely passing all the more cruel.

The only son of Jessie and Duncan Snr, lately Battalion President, the thoughts of all in Buchan are with them both at this incredibly sad and difficult time. Their family within this Brigade will be there to support them, always.

JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS – Lighthouse Night 2JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS – Lighthouse Night 2

Boys and Officers of the 1st Fraserburgh Company kept the light going at Kinnaird Head Lighthouse last night as part of the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses‘ three day celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Mrs Duthie switched the light on to begin the night and the party had to wind the machine to keep the light flashing.

Well done all!

PLATINUM JUBILEE BEACONSPLATINUM JUBILEE BEACONS

The 1st Rosehearty and 1st Fraserburgh Companies took part in the Jubilee Beacons at Kinnaird Head Lighthouse last night to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

The Battalion President and Battalion Secretary were present and took their turn at winding the lighthouse machinery to keep the lens spinning!

The events were organised as part of the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses‘ Jubilee events.

The lighthouse will be manned by the Boys’ Brigade for the next two nights – 8pm-midnight.

PLATINUM JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS – LIGHTHOUSEPLATINUM JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS – LIGHTHOUSE

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.

QUEEN’S BADGE – JORDAN SMITH – 1ST FRASERBURGHQUEEN’S BADGE – JORDAN SMITH – 1ST FRASERBURGH

The President and Executive of the Buchan Battalion congratulate Jordan Smith who tonight was presented with his Queen’s Badge, the highest award in the Boys’ Brigade.

Working towards his badge Jordan used his skills with technology to help his church deliver services and stepped up to help his company. He also learned to drive for his skill and improved his physical fitness in cycling.

Jordan had one last trick up his sleeve tonight by surprising our Battalion Secretary, Yvonne Duthie; she was absolutely delighted to learn that he wanted her to do the honour of presenting his award. As Captain Leel said, Jordan wanted Yvonne to present it as she had always helped him; from his days at school, up to now.

Congratulations Jordan on an award thats thoroughly deserved!

(Picture: Jordan Smith receives his award from Lt Yvonne Duthie OIC).

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

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).

BASKETBALL COMPETITIONBASKETBALL COMPETITION

This evening the 1st Fraserburgh Company hosted the Company and Seniors Buchan Battalion Basketball Competition!

The first face-to-face competition since March 2020!Five companies were represented tonight and a Girl member participated in a Buchan Battalion Company Section competition for the very first time!

Results:

Company Section

1st Place: 1st Strichen

2nd Place: 1st Fraserburgh

3rd Place: 1st Rosehearty

Seniors

1st Place: 1st Fraserburgh

2nd Place: 4th/5th Fraserburgh

3rd Place: Buchan Select

Thank you to the 1st Fraserburgh for doing an excellent job in hosting this competition.