National Competitions
15th May 2012 by Scottish HQ
We have reached the end of a very busy and successful 2011-2012 session for National Competitions. It is really positive to see even more Companies participating in these. This session's competitions have proved particularly successful for Scottish Companies.
Said National Competitions Co-ordinator (Scotland), Randal McLean: "Can I take this opportunity of thanking ALL the people, Companies, and Battalions who have helped in any way to make this session's Competitions enjoyable and successful events for the young people. It is the participation of your members which is vital to the ongoing future of all the National Competitions and other events organised in Scotland."
Below is an overview of this year's results: COMPETITION PLACINGS
Chess: Winners 1st Cheam Runners-up 7th Edinburgh
Masterteam: Winners 4/5th Kilmarnock Runners-up 65th Edinburgh
Junior 5 a side Football: Winners 2nd Gourock Runners-up 1st Buckie
Senior 5 a side Football: Winners 42nd Dundee Runners-up 1st Mountjoy
Badminton: Winners 1st Largs Runners-up 1st Garvagh
Table Tennis: Winners 44th Glasgow Runners-up 4th Southampton
DofE Silver/Queen's Badge Cycling Expedition
4th May 2012 by Simon Smith
This is the first open cycling expedition to be organised nationally. It takes place between Friday 20th and Monday 23rd July 2012. This will also be a BB Queen's Badge Assessment Expedition. Places are very limited so please make enquiries as soon as possible.
Event will include: - Choice of Road or Off-road route - Inspection of expedition equipment - Checks on menus and expedition food - A check ride to assess navigation skills and group disciplines - Final route preparation and briefing - A three day expedition commencing on Saturday morning
Please see attached form for further details or to find out more, contact Simon Smith simon.smith@boys-brigade.org.uk
BB Cycling Expo at Carronvale 23rd June
4th May 2012 by Simon Smith
With the Scottish Government debating it and the Olympic and Commonwealth Games featuring it, cycling is going to be the ever-popular sport again, this and coming sessions. If you're looking to involve your members in this activity this year or coming years, or want to know more about why, how and where to engage in this well-loved exercise, then this is the event for you!
Ideally suited to all sections and the national award structure, cycling remains more of the most accessible activities to lead your Company in. Even if you are not a avid cyclist yourself, but wish to find something new and exciting for your programme, please come along!
Speakers, exhibitors and practical workshops from the world of cycling, including Scottish Cycling and BB Development team, will be present to give advice and demonstrations on how to get Companies 'on their bikes'! Bring your wheels and get an insight on how to run a session with your young people.
This special event takes place at the BB Scottish HQ, Carronvale House on 23rd June form 10am until 3pm. For more information and free registration, contact Simon Smith on 07545 697011 or by email, simon.smith@boys-brigade.org.uk
Scottish Bands Contest 2012
30th Apr 2012 by Scottish HQ
The annual Scottish BB Bands Contest took place at the Caird Hall, Dundee on Saturday. The event highlights the significant musical talent in many BB Companies across Scotland and this year was no different. Amongst the twenty bands competing, four participated for the very first time and some had members as young as nine.
Alan Ward, Chairman of Scottish Bands Committee said:
"This was one of the best competitions for many years. There was a really buzz in the air and a great level of competition. The Scottish Bands Committee have been working hard to promote BB bands and it was particularly encouraging to have so many bands taking place for the first time."
The audience in the Caird Hall were entertained by a very high standard Pipe Bands, Brass & Bugle Bands as well as Flute Bands.
Said Training and Development Officer, Alan Hunter:
"The contest was a tremendous showcase of young talent in companies from across Scotland. Really encouraging to see a number of new bands entering the contest, demonstrating the importance of bandwork as part of the company programme"
A run-down of the winners in each category is below.
Delays with the April Gazette
24th Apr 2012 by BB Headquarters
We would like to apologise for the delay in getting the April 2012 edition of the BB Gazette out to leaders and subscribers. We are pleased to say that everything has now been despatched and so should be received in the next few days.
In the meantime the Gazette can be view online, just follow the link below.
Calling Notice and Motions to Brigade Council
24th Apr 2012 by BB Headquarters
Due to the delay to the dispatch of the April 2012 Gazette we would draw your attention to the calling notice for Brigade Council and the motions therein. These can be viewed online by following the link below.
Accomodation for the Olympics available . . .
17th Apr 2012 by Felden Lodge Conference Centre
Felden Lodge has space available from 3rd - 12th August Inclusive for anyone visiting the Games at that time. With great road & rail links into the Olympic site, we are the ideal venue to rest in-between all the fun & excitement of this great historic event.
Prices from £60 B&B per night per person, based on two people sharing a twin room.
To book call 01442 288577 now to secure a room at this busy time.
Check out the latest edition of the BB Gazette online ...
17th Apr 2012 by BB Headquarters
The latest edition of the BB Gazette is now available online.
Find out what's happening including:
- Launch of the Ten Percent in Twenty Twelve Campaign
- Ideas to help celebrate HM The Queen's Diamond Jubilee
- Results of the 125 Camping Compeititon
PLUS: Souvenir Jubilee Pullout - Our Patron
Behind Tourism - International Project Update
26th Mar 2012 by Behind Tourism Project Team
In the Gazette the project team updated on the latest with Behind Tourism - the international project focussing on Boys' Brigade in the Eastern & Southern Caribbean region.
This July, 11 young people from across the UK and RoI will be travelling to Tobago where the biennial regional camp will be taking place for Boys' Brigade members from islands of the Eastern & Southern region including St Kitts & Nevis, St Vincent, Antigua and Trinidad & Tobago.
Once in Tobago the team have a busy schedule and will first join with the leaders from the region and attend their leaders meeting for the 2 days prior to camp starting. After this they will be taking a full part in the activities during 8 days of camp, held in one of the schools on the island. The team will be leading one of the days with a taster of activities that take place on our own camps as well as sharing many other aspects of BB both ways - Caribbean and UK. It gives the team a chance to learn more about life in a part of the world that is mainly known for being wonderful holiday destinations but offer so much more - as well as being a place where young people live and grow up. It promises to be a very memorable experience.
Team members have been raising money to cover the costs of attending the camp, for more on the work they are putting into the project please have a look at the project website. There will be more on the project in the July Gazette about how you can engage you companies in understanding behind tourism.
Gordon Brown at Scottish Cross Country
21st Mar 2012
The Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP was the chief guest and presented the trophies at the Scottish National Cross Country Race today. Mr Brown told organisers that he is an ex-member of the 4th Kirkcaldy company and has fond memories of his time in the BB, particularly playing football. Mr Brown said "It was great to welcome all these young people to Kirkcaldy and to see them participating in sport in the Beveridge Park. I want to thank everyone involved in making the event such a success and for ensuring that all these young people had such a good time and left with a real positive view of our town.."
Well done to Fife Battalion for organising such an impressive event.
Results can be found here http://www.scc2012.boys-brigade.info/ and photos have been posted to the facebook page.
The photo on this page shows Mr Brown with members of the Inverclyde teams.
Get involved with Active Kids in 2012 . . .
6th Mar 2012 by BB Headquarters
Active Kids vouchers are available from all main Sainsbury's stores, Local stores, petrol stations and with online groceries deliveries. One voucher is earned (from 15th Feb 2012 to 10th April 2012) for every £10 spent in a single transaction at all main stores and for each £5 spent in a single transaction at Sainsbury's Locals.
By collecting the vouchers your Company can redeem Active Kids vouchers for a wide range of activity and cooking equipment, sports kit and professional coaching sessions. The more vouchers you can collect the more you can get out of the scheme, so it's all about getting the children and young people in your Company collecting vouchers via parents, family members and friends and brining them along to BB. It is a great way of also involving the church congregation.
If you are not already registered, then call 0844 415 8440 to register your Company (you will be asked your Company Name and for the contact details of a coordinator for the scheme at your end). Currently BB groups are not able to register online through the Active Kids website, but you can check out the website for more information on the scheme
Firm Foundations - Festival fun
1st Mar 2012 by Firm Foundations
Don't miss the fantastic artists and speakers booked for Firm Foundations 2012.
You can still buy tickets for the event that's taking place at Felden Lodge, Hemel Hempstead, between Friday 1 June and Monday 4 June.
Don't miss The Steels (a three-piece band), Our Dad (a jazz/funk/dance band), Husky (a rap artist), comedian Andy Kind or singer Rory Malone, who is also performing at events like Spring Harvest and the Olympic Games. He's also been opening for bands such as Panic at the Disco, Fall Out Boy and All American Rejects.
Speakers Chip Kendall, previously front-man for thebandwithnoname, and Mark Greenwood, from 40:3 Trust, will also be taking to the stage.
Other exciting activities planned for the weekend include a special street party to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and a night at the theatre with Lantern Theatre Company.
The event is themed Greater than Gold based on 1 Corinthians Ch.9:24. Check out the website for more details and a booking form.
After prayerful thought and consideration, both BB and GB have reluctantly agreed that Firm Foundations 2012 will be the final Firm Foundations. The festival has been operating for more than 20 years and God has been good to the event - many people, both young and old, have had their lives changed or their faith renewed through attending.
As this is the last Firm Foundations, it's likely more people will attend either for the whole weekend or just for the day. So the Planning Team can make the necessary arrangements, please can you ensure that your bookings are submitted as soon as possible. The late fee of £10 will NOT be applied to any bookings.
At some point in the 2012 festival we'll take time to give thanks to God for all that has been achieved through Firm Foundations and seek His guidance for the future.
Read more about this on the News page of the festival's website.
Scottish Conference
13th Mar 2012 by Alan Hunter
For the first time in a number of years an open Scottish Conference for leaders in Scotland was held at the Bankfoot Centre in Perth on 10th March.
Over 100 leaders from all over Scotland took part and the day was a great success. Over the next day or two we will be adding various resources that were launched at the conference.
The Hampden Experience
20th Oct 2011 by Niall Rolland
Does your Company have a passion for sport? If so, a visit to the Scotland National stadium could be a great idea for an outing.
We have teamed up with The Hampden Experience to offer BB Companies a chance to see behind the scenes at Hampden for a heavily reduced price. In addition to the special rates, specific programme material to take back to the Companies will also be available. See the attached file for all the details.
This is part of a series of football related activities we have arranged recently. If your Company has made contact to your local club, please let us know.
New Fantasy football competition
28th Oct 2011
There is a new fantasy football competition being run by the England Region young people's group.
Queens Badge Awarded to boy with special needs
28th May 2011 by Heather Crosskey
On May 21st two young men from 1st Woodmansterne Company, Matthew Brown and Thomas Keresey were presented with the Queens Badge by Croydon Battalion President David Hall. Nothing unusual in that you may say - Queens Badges are awarded to young men in many BB Companies and you would be correct. The reason I am highlighting these two young men is that one of them has special needs. Thomas was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome at the age of 8. Aspergers is a communication disorder similar to Autism, and, like other folk with autism, Thomas has had to find a way to manage his condition and lead as normal a life as possible.
Thomas joined the Boys' Brigade shortly before he was diagnosed with Aspergers, and found the routine beneficial. He worked his way through Junior Section and was the first of his age group to achieve his Gold Badge. He has continued through Company Section, participating in all aspects of Bridgade life, including summer camp, and was presented with the Presidents Badge two years ago. Trevor Harvey who was then the Company Captain and myself were very keen for Thomas to work for the Queens Badge as we knew he was capable of achieving this award. Like all young men working for this badge, Thomas and Matthew have had to work very hard, but the achievement is well worth the effort. Young people who have special needs or who are challenged physically or mentally should be encouraged to strive for the highest possible goals - being different doesn't mean 'can't do'. Having worked with both Matthew and Thomas throughout their time with Boys' Brigade I am extremely proud of both of them for attaining this, the highest award possible within the Brigade, but I feel we all have a duty of encouragement to all young men who face the extra challenge of physical or mental difficulty. These folk are not handicapped, they just face life from a different perspective to the rest of us. Congratulations to Matthew and Thomas.
The 1st Barnet Celebrate the Royal Wedding
14th Oct 2011 by Nick Taylor
Ten young people led by two officers of the 1st Barnet Boys' Brigade & Girls' Association left High Barnet for a trip never to be forgotten. After a short journey by Tube into London the adventure really began as we entered the Youth 'Enclosure' on Horse Guards Parade. Nearly 1000 people young and old from Youth Organisations filled the enclosure, but this was large enough for us all to get a great view of the procession before and after the service. After the service, as the procession moved back to Buckingham Palace, word soon got round that we would lead the masses down the Mall. Excitement built as we watched the new couple ride back and then it was our turn. With the Anchor flag held high we processed ahead of all the public down to the Victoria memorial for a fantastic view of the moment we had all been waiting for: the kiss! We made our way out of the Mall for the trip home again, having had an amazing day that will never be forgotten.
