New bench in Corstorphine Churchyard - A long time coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunday 13^th January saw the culmination of events which have been a long time in the pipeline. Many of you will remember David C. Macnab a long time stalwart of Corstorphine Old Parish and the Boys' Brigade. Immaculately turned out in dark navy suit and officer's Glengarry, sharp and strict with his commands, "DC", as he was affectionately known, seemed an embodiment of William Smith's founding principles of "drill, discipline and self-respect". But, at the side of the hall, and on company camps, he was kind and approachable. Over his years in the church he had fulfilled many roles including Session Clerk, elder, property convenor, choir member and child protection officer. In the BB here in Corstorphine he had been a boy, then an officer for over 40 years, this included being Officer in Charge of Lifeboys, later, Junior Section and Company Captain.  He had also served on the Battalion Executive for over 40 years again fulfilling many roles including Christian Faith Convenor, Training Convenor, Battalion Secretary and Battalion Vice-President.

David died on 3^rd January 2004. After his funeral service the Edinburgh, Leith and District Battalion of the Boys' Brigade decided that they wanted to do something to honour David. Various suggestions were put forward and about the beginning of 2005 the Battalion decided a fitting tribute would be to erect a bench next to his beloved Church in Corstorphine. So started the long process of correspondence through various council departments to get the permission to do this. About October last year everything was in place and the Battalion, BB Company and Church then decided on the exact location etc. This resulted in the smart black metal bench, located at the main porch door of the church, the bench fits well here and we feel it is in keeping with the entrance gates to the church.

Sunday 13^th January started damp with a little rain in the air. The Morning Service was about paying compliments, and made reference to David and his roles in the Church and BB and how we were going to pay a compliment to him after the service by dedicating a bench in his memory. The Minister, Rev. Moira Macdonald, said "what better way to be remembered , by providing a resting place for local people and visitors as they walk through Corstorphine, to enjoy the peace and quiet of the churchyard, to enjoy the gentle warmth of a spring evening with the sun lowering in the west". The service included the rousing BB Hymn ,Underneath the Banner, and ,Will your Anchor Hold. After the service everyone retired to the hall for refreshments.

Luckly the rain held off and at 12 noon three pipers and drummers from the Battalion Pipe Band led us out to the bench. The Ceremony started with Jim Ralston, the Battalion President, welcoming everyone and explaining the background as to why we were there. He then officially handed over the bench to the church and 13^th Edinburgh Company. Rev. Moira Macdonald then accepted the bench on behalf of the church and Company. Ken Swinney, Company Officer and life long friend of David, followed this with a few personal reminiscences of David. Douglas Roger, Hon. Company Captain, then read one of David's favourite reading that ended in Luke 2:52 ,And Jesus grew in wisdom, and in stature, and in favour with God and man. These were the foundations of the Junior Section Achievements David taught to the Boys and were also the building blocks of all that David hoped to achieve in his work with the Boys and in the Battalion. The Ceremony then ended with Rev. Moira Macdonald dedicating the bench and Kevin Aitchison, Company Captain, with Robbie (a senior boy) unveiling the plaque. It was then Photo time!

From all the comments I've had whether it be from friends, family, BB, congregation or others, everyone has told me how much they enjoyed the day. I have had many favourable comments saying that both the Church Service and the Bench Dedication were well pitched and that they included all that was needed, but did not go over the top. I've also had many commenting how good it was to see us all in BB uniform and hear the BB Pipe Band. David's cousin, Sandra, told me she was so glad we had invited her and she thought David would have been honoured and proud. His Godson, Colin,who could not be present e-mailed me and said "I'm sure that 'Uncle David' would have been very pleased and moved by the tribute"

Bench Party Photo

Left to right sitting

Lt Ken Swinney, Rev. Moira Macdonald, Douglas Roger, Hon. Company Captain, Kevin Aitchison, 13^th Edinburgh Company Captain

Rear standing

Robbie and Jim Ralston, Edinburgh Leith & District, Battalion President.