Long service awards for dedicated Buckie BB officers
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OVER 450 years of dedicated service to 1st Buckie Company Boys' Brigade was honoured at a special ceremony.
A total of 14 officers and helpers were presented with special awards to mark their commitment to the company, which in one case comes to almost six decades of service. Doing the honours at the ceremony, which was held the Seafield Arms Hotel, Cullen, was former Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire Clare Russell.
Mrs Russell also presented the Queen's and President's men with their hard-earned badges.
Speaking after the ceremony, she said: "I had the great honour of presenting the Buckie Boys' Brigade with their long service medals.
"It was an outstanding evening, their dedication and commitment is untold with 455 years of service between them.
"At the same time I presented the young men with their well deserved badges. They have been so lucky having joined the Buckie Boys' Brigade to have had such a wonderful beginning in life learning some of the important things in life – kindness, discipline, manners, community work and so much more.
"On a personal note as retired Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire they have always helped me in my charity events, most importantly the Queen's Diamond Jubilee when we had an open day for everybody, the Over-90 years tea party to celebrate the Queen's 90th birthday and the musical garden party at Ballindalloch for my retirement.
"I wish them all many more successful years of their wonderful charity.”
Top of the long service list was Gordon Pirie who has an amazing 57 years with the BBs under his belt. Company Captain Alan McIntosh and wife Jennifer totalled 50 years and 43 years respectively, while another couple – Grant and Catherine Stewart – have put in 50 years and 44 years. Mr McIntosh and Mr Stewart both joined the organisation in 1962 as Lifeboys, while their wives started volunteering with the Anchor Boys at the same time.
Also receiving long service honours were: Andrew Murray (40 years); Malcolm Smith (30); Allan Cowie (28); Kirsten Foley (25); Teresa Innes (20); Atholl Murray (20); George Duncan (16); Brenda Slater (16); George Chappel (15).
Captain McIntosh said: "It is indeed a great honour for 1st Buckie to award over 450 years service to these committed and enthusiastic members of staff, especially in the year of the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service award."
Reaping the rewards of their hard work were a total of eight Queen's Badge winners: Joseph Farquhar; Greig Flett; Seth Fordyce; Murray Newlands; Aidan Murdoch; Aiden Power; Aidan Sutherland; Timmy Wilson. The Queen's Badge is the highest award which can be gained by a member of the BB.
Enjoying a proud evening were President's Badge men Kallum Aitchison, Logan Boyfield, Brodie Buchan, James Devlin, Jude Ewen, Lucus Farquhar, Sam Murray, Roy Taylor, Alex Thompson and Finlay Wood.
Missing on the evening due to holiday commitments was Aidan Milne.
Opening and closing the proceedings on the evening was company chaplain Rev George Rollo, with the vote of thanks given by former Company Captain Bill Murray.
The ceremony can be viewed on the 1st Company Facebook page.
