2013/14 - Issue 6 (February) 21 February February

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1 Information Diary Dates 21 February February Junior Section Quiz Junior Section Musician Competition Forthcoming events Junior Section Musicians Competition Battalion Cross Country Once again this event is taking place at Morningside Parish Church Hall on the evening of Friday 28 th February. The event is open for boys in Primary 4 6 and they can choose to play an instrumental piece or perform a solo vocal piece. Full information is available on the entry forms which are now available on the website and should be returned fully completed no later than 24 th February. This years Battalion cross country event takes place on Saturday 1 st March at Holyrood Park, Entry forms are on our website and should be returned to Pollock Pavilion by 18 th February National Cross Country Anchors & Juniors Service & Dynamic Earth Outing The National Cross Country Races are then being held on Saturday 15 th March, in Coatbridge. Details of this are yet to be fully provided however winners chosen from the battalion cross country event will invited to attend. This years Church Service is being at Dynamic Earth. The afternoon will involve a brief service and boys being taken in groups around the centre. Entry forms with further information have been issued and must be returned by 10 th March at the very latest. Company Section Squad & Novice Squad Drill The Company Section Squad Drill and Novice Drill will be held at South Leith Church Halls on the evening of Friday 7th March 2014 from 7:30pm onwards. The entry form and the chosen movements for this event can be found on the website. All entries to be with the office NOW as the closing dates have now passed Junior Section Quiz Night The Quiz night will now take place on Friday 21 st February at 7.30pm at St Philips Church Halls in Joppa. Teams should consist of 4-6 boys and even if you don t have enough participants please do still come along and become part of a composite team for the evening. Closing date for entries is Monday 17 th February. Events coming next... 1 st March rd March th March th March th March Battalion Cross Country CS Compass Project CS Squad Drill/Novice Squad Drill National Cross Country AB/JS Service & Dynamic Earth 2013/14 Issue 6 Page 1 of 7

2 Upcoming Training Dates Emergency First Aid Training Building your Skills (Boys) Emergency First Aid training takes place on Saturday 29 th March from 9am to 1pm. Places are very limited and we now only have 2 spaces left for this course. Please contact the office should you need to renew your current certificate or if you wish to complete the course for the first time. This course is specifically for boys who are currently in company section and who are working towards their Presidents Badge. This training session will be held at Pollock Pavilion on Sunday 30 th March. Names can now be submitted for this and entry forms are available on the website Holiday Leadership Training The holiday leadership training will take place at Pollock Pavilion on Saturday 1 st March 2014 from 1pm to 5pm. Entry is open to those who need to lead a Company in an overnight/weekend stay in residential accommodation. Names should be submitted to the office no later than 21 st February. Entry forms can be found on the website. Results Company Section Badminton Events 61 Boys from 12 Companies took part in the annual Badminton competition on Sunday 2 nd February at Meadowbank. Every year the standard in the event improves with this year being no exception. I would like to thank all the boys who participated, all of which showed great sportsmanship, to all the Officers and Senior Boys who gave time to umpire the matches. Thanks also goes to Danny McKenzie of 65 th Edinburgh Company (1 st year in doing the admin work), Brian Nisbet, the office staff and finally a mention to Eoin Watters, Battalion Vice President, for taking the time to come along on the evening to present to prizes. Junior Doubles P7 S3 1 st P Sawkins / D Kong 65 th Edinburgh 2 nd J Wang / L Johnston 65 th Edinburgh 3 rd D Dilworth / T Foley 61 st Edinburgh Senior Singles S4 S6 1 st D Kong 65 th Edinburgh 2 nd A Sawkins 65 th Edinburgh 3 rd L Shillinglaw 1 st Loanhead Ian Montgomery 2013/14 Issue 6 Page 2 of 7

3 Junior Section Indoor Football Around 80 boys representing 5 companies took part in this annual competition run at Meadowmill Sports Centre on 26th th January& 2 nd February, It was a goal fest with over 150 goals scored over the two days. There was some excellent football on display and a good few talented individuals very evident. The 61 st Edinburgh (Musselburgh) Company again showed the football pedigree in winning the Junior Trophy for the umpteenth time. Well done to them. A new name goes on the senior trophy with the high scoring 25 th Edinburgh (A) (Joppa) Company team proving too strong for the rest of the opposition. This year we entered into an arrangement with Edinburgh Referees Association to provide an opportunity for young and new referees to gain valuable experience in a non-confrontational environment. This worked well and will hopefully continue into next year. Speaking about next year, there will be a change to the format of this competition in Due the small numbers of entries it is now felt that this event should be held on single day. Consequently, next year the event will be held on a single Sunday in late January, date to be confirmed. There will only be the one age group i.e. the whole Junior Section (P4, 5 & 6) and companies will be able to enter more than one team. Thanks to Ian Montgomery for stepping up and overseeing the two events in my absence. Much appreciated. Brian Nisbet, 7th Edinburgh Company Primary 4/5 51 st Edinburgh st Edinburgh 51 st Edinburgh st Edinburgh 31 st Edinburgh st Edinburgh 51 st Edinburgh st Edinburgh 51 st Edinburgh st Edinburgh 31 st Edinburgh st Edinburgh 1st 61 st Edinburgh 12 Points 2nd 51 st Edinburgh 6 Points 3rd 31 st Edinburgh 0 Points Primary 6 SEMI-FINALS 25 th Edinburgh (A) th Leith (B) 10 th Leith (A) st Edinburgh 3 rd / 4 th PLAY OFF 10 th Leith (A) th Leith (B) FINAL 31 st Edinburgh th Edinburgh (A) Company Section Compass & NCO Drills COMPASS DRILL COMPETITION, 27/01/14 - RESULT 1 st 48 th Edinburgh 83 points 2 nd 61 st Edinburgh 72 points 2013/14 Issue 6 Page 3 of 7

4 NCOs DRILL COMPETITION, 27/01/14 - RESULT 1 st Sgt. Nathan Russell 61 st Edinburgh 89 points 2 nd Equal Cpl. Scott Charleson 48 th Edinburgh 88 points 2 nd Equal Cpl. Peter McNeill 61 st Edinburgh 88 points 2 nd Equal L/Cpl. Tom Foley 61 st Edinburgh 88 points 5 th Equal Cpl. Stuart Gray 48 th Edinburgh 75 points 5 th Equal L/Cpl. Darren Dilworth 61 st Edinburgh 75 points My thanks to Mr Alastair Knowles, Honorary Battalion Vice President, for judging both competitions. Alan Anderson Organiser National Masterteam Finalists The 48 th and 65 th Edinburgh Companies have qualified for the National Masterteam Final which is being held on Saturday 15 February. The final is being held in Currie at the Gibson Craig and the 65 th will be welcoming the following teams 1 Greenock; 4/5 Kilmarnock; 3 Kilsyth; 1 Overtown; 2 Polmont and 25 Stirling A and, of course, the 48 Edinburgh. We wish both Edinburgh teams well in the final. Other Battalion News And the winner is... Alan Meikle, 41 st Edinburgh Captain Should anyone not have seen or heard Alan Meikles wonderful news, please take the time to read the report below published by Edinburgh Evening News on the 31 st January 2014 A BOYS Brigade leader has been honoured by his employer for his commitment to volunteer work. Alan Meikle, captain of the 41st Edinburgh Boys Brigade Company, was awarded the outstanding individual volunteering award at Prudential UK s employee volunteering awards. The ceremony, held in London, celebrated community work by employees of Prudential where Alan is a service development consultant based in Stirling. As one of three winners on the night, the 36-year-old took home a trophy and pocketed 1000 for his Duddingston-based Boys Brigade company. He said: It was a great honour to receive this award. I get a great sense of enjoyment and happiness from being a volunteer as I feel I am giving something back to the local community. Born in Seafield in 1977, only child Alan attended Duddingston Primary and Portobello High School. He grew up in Northfield and had his first taste of all that the Boys Brigade has to offer when he joined the Anchor Boys at the age of six. Many of his friends were also members of the BB, and Alan was not the only one of them who stayed on long enough to claim the Queen s Badge the highest honour in the company, which was presented to Alan in He said the BB had helped him gain skills, friends and confidence. The lifelong Hearts and Scotland fan who often travels overseas with fellow Tartan Army footsoldiers graduated from Edinburgh University in 1999 with a degree in economics and was appointed as captain of the 41st a year later. 2013/14 Issue 6 Page 4 of 7

5 BB training and development officer Alan Hunter hailed his friend as a valuable member of the organisation. He said: We re delighted that Alan s hard work and commitment has been recognised. The award is very well deserved. We rely heavily on our volunteers to run the local BB groups and in his role as officer and then captain, Alan has made a huge difference to the lives of hundreds of young people in Edinburgh over the last 18 years. Bosses at Prudential also expressed their pride for their big-hearted employee. Gavin Rennie, head of corporate responsibility and Prudential UK and Europe, said: The commitment and charitable nature of our colleagues never fails to impress me. Alan Meikle is a shining example of someone who wants to give something back to the community. The passion and commitment he shows is inspiring and he does it in such a selfless manner. Alan says he still has plenty to offer. He said: It s the best thing I ve ever done, but I m only 36, so there is still more time yet to keep giving something back and give the boys the opportunities I had. Penicuik & Musselburgh Boys Brigade Pipe Band The Band is hosting a Grand Charity Concert in The Brunton Venue 1 with local vocal Group Delta and the Capital Concert Band on Friday 7 March 2014 at 7.30 pm We are looking for general support but are keen to make it a reunion event for anyone who played with Battalion Massed Pipes and Drums and took part in any Beating Retreats, Guards of Honour, Centenary Shows or the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in 1983, 1986, 1990 and 1991 or any other event since. The charity is Musselburgh Riding of the Marches 2016 Ltd which is a Charitable Company set up to plan, organise and finance the next Riding of the Marches in the year The Musselburgh event although similar to other Border Common Ridings is unique in that it is one of the oldest on record and only happens every twenty one years. This makes it a really special event for the community especially by engaging with the younger generation to develop their education in local history and ensure that these fine traditions are carried forward into the future. Tickets at can be booked by contacting P/M Stewart Braby stewartbraby@hotmail.co.uk Or L/D Alastair Knowles a-l.knowles@talktalk.net Funding Opportunities 2013/14 Issue 6 Page 5 of 7

6 Young Scot Art Funds We have been advised that BB bands are eligible to apply to this fund for assistance. The maximum grant available for a group is 750 and the application must be submitted by a young person (15 to 22 years). The next deadline is the 16 th February. Battalion History Diamond Anniversary An interesting question was put to the office recently, as to how/why and when a path at The Meadows was named Boys Brigade Walk? Seems this is a part of history that many are not aware of and after some digging around and with help from a few individuals we have managed to track down some details of how this path became known as Boys Brigade Walk, and it turns out this year will be the 60 th Anniversary of this piece of history. This came about as part of the Centenary celebrations of the Boys Brigade Founder s Birth (Sir William A Smith) who was born on 27 th October Extracts from our council minutes of 12/04/1954 and 11/10/1954 state the following: From minutes of 12 th April 1954 Mr Barclay informed council that there would be a floral B.B Anchor in Princess Street Gardens during the summer. Upon being informed that, as a permanent records of this centenary year, it was possible to have an avenue through the Meadows of 70 flowering trees to be known as Boys Brigade Walk, at the cost of 1 per tree, Council unanimously decided that this be proceeded with and that each company and some of the Life Boy Teams should plant their own trees. Mr Barclay was thanked for the preliminary arrangements he had made. Councillor Drummond thought that each tree might bear a label indicating the particular company or Team. From minutes of 11 th October 1954 Arrangements for Wednesday 27 th October 1954: Mr Barclay informed the meeting that the ceremony of Tree Planting for Boys Brigade Walk would take place at 4.20pm. The walk would stretch from Middle Meadow to Livington Place. Two persons per tree were required for the planting and Chaplains, Officers or Boys would be welcomed for this ceremony. A Representative of the Battalion would then hand the trees formally over to the City and a City dignitary would officially accept them from the Battalion. The Rev. J.H Yule would then dedicate this walk. Following upon the Tree Planting ceremony, a wreath, in the form of an anchor, would be placed by a Boy beneath the Sir William A Smith memorial plaque in St. Giles Cathedral. Looking in some of the executive minutes between these times it would appear that discussions were held with the Superintendent of Parks in Edinburgh, and by late May 1954 a letter of agreement had been received by the Battalion to plant a Boys Brigade Walk There were at least 43 Companies who took part and 9 Life Boy Teams involved on the day with 75 trees being planted in all. This photo was taken looking to the SE down Boys Brigade Walk, the path that leads to the SE to Melville Drive from the point where Middle Meadow Walk joins the Meadows in /14 Issue 6 Page 6 of 7

7 BB Director for Scotland Says... Charity Golf Day Mission Aviation Fellowship Young Leaders Network A charity golf day and auction will be held on Wednesday 28 th May in Cumbernauld Please pass this on to any golfers in your area. We are also looking for sponsors for each of the 18 th holes at Westerwood. If you know of any local businesses that may support this can you please let Paul O Shea know via paul.oshea@boys-brigade.org.uk If you would like to take part in this day out, please either contact Paul shea on the above or the office at Pollock to obtain further details and the registration forms. Are you interested in helping to break a world record? MAF are keen to involve BB members in their record breaking zip wire attempt on Saturday 7 th June at Hamilton Race Course. All the details can be found at This sounds like a great day out with a difference for any company to take part in (officers too!) anyone from age 8 upwards can take part and they are looking to have 1000 people there on the day. There are various national events lined up for the age group this year, including a trip to Lisbon in June and Ultimate Challenge Plus. You can take a look at the 2014 programme and also find our details about the European venture at Contacting us Administration Pamela Chalmers 9:00 1:00 Monday to Thursday Tuesday Evenings Bookkeeper / Shop ( ) Ext 20 office@thebb-edinburgh.org.uk Moyra Wood Ext 21 / 26 moyra.wood@thebb-edinburgh.org.uk Development Officer David Scott Ext 22 David.scott@thebb-edinburgh.org.uk Ferry Road, Edinburgh, EH6 4SP is your magazine. The next edition of the HuBB will be issued around 17 th March Articles for inclusion should be with us no later than Monday 10 th /14 Issue 6 Page 7 of 7