Forres Boys' Brigade accept baton with King's message from Burghead battalion and pass it on to Nairn battalion in celebration of 140 years of the national organisation
AROUND 35 young men, officers, leaders, parents, siblings and friends took part in a special event at Grant Park to mark 140 years of a national youth group.
1st Burghead Boys’ Brigade was charged with handing over a brass baton containing a message from HM King Charles III to 2nd Forres Boys’ Brigade in celebration of the founding of the Boys’ Brigade.
Moray Battalion president and Forres captain Graeme Ferguson confirmed the ongoing baton relay will feature all 50 Companies from Aberdeen, Banff, Buchan, Moray, Highland, Western Isles and Orkney over the course of the year.
He said: “It’s important to acknowledge the importance of the Boys’ Brigade in all of our communities and to celebrate this symbolic milestone.
“The founder of the BB was born in Thurso so there is a special connection to the north. The baton relay is the only one of its kind taking place in Scotland. Every boy from the 50 Companies involved will also receive a commemorative badge.”
Founded in Glasgow in 1883, the BB is the largest Christian uniformed youth organisation in Britain. Today it has around 50,000 boys involved in nearly 1400 companies.
The group’s objective is “the advancement of Christ’s kingdom among Boys and the promotion of habits of Obedience, Reverence, Discipline, Self-respect and all that tends towards a true Christian manliness”.
1st Forres Boys’ Brigade ran for many decades until 2001. The 2nd Company celebrated its 10th anniversary last month.
The baton was created by Sir Henry Duthie to celebrate a century of the BB in 1983.
The current relay has been underway since it was presented by King Charles to Buchan Battalion at Braemar Highland Games on Saturday, September 2.
“The event at Grant Park on Sunday, February 18 went very well,” said Graeme. “There was great weather for the large turnout. The baton arrived from Burghead in Gordonstoun’s fire engine.
“We all walked up to Nelson’s Tower where a boy from Burghead handed it over officially at the top. There were messages inside from His Majesty as well as the relay organiser and president of the North Scottish Association, James Allan.
“Every boy from both companies passed the baton from the tower back to the Sunken Gardens where we gathered for refreshments.”
Both companies received a certificate to commemorate the occasion.
The following week, 2nd Forres Boys’ Brigade cycled out to Brodie Castle to hand the baton over to 1st Nairn Boys’ Brigade.
Forres held their annual battalion church parade and service at St John’s Church on Sunday, March 3 with Companies from Burghead and Lossiemouth.
The boys also took part in the Forres Youth Concert on Tuesday, March 5 where it was announced that members Jack Souter and Callum Machray jointly received the Community Shield award in recognition of their 10 years of service.
“Thank you to all my leaders and helpers who give their time and work immensely hard,” finished Graeme.
“Every one of our boys is a star and I’m so proud of them.”
