Values, pride and faith are at the heart of Buckie BBs' enduring success
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
IT'S 75 years since Buckie Boys' Brigade were first formed by James Duncan and three quarters of a century and one pandemic on their future looks as bright as ever.
With 1st Company one of the biggest in the whole of the UK, the BBs remain a major stalwart of the local community, helping give generations of boys a great start in life while lending a much-needed hand to a variety of community events.
Heart of the Community catches up with long-serving Company Captain Alan McIntosh.
Q. How many boys, officers and other helpers have you got in 1st Buckie?
A. All in all, we've got around 220 boys and staff and remain one of the biggest companies in the country. We've got so many boys it's a bit like running a school – we've split the boys into age groups which all have their own programmes.
Q. The Company is 75 years old this year and still going strong. What's the secret of your success?
A. I think it comes down to a mixture of strong leadership, a great deal of commitment from the staff and progressive opportunities tailored to the boys' needs and abilities. Every boy entering 1st Buckie will be encouraged to go as far as they want and can, including up to Queen's Badge level. We'll support everyone of all abilities to the best of our abilities.
Q. You mentioned tailored programmes for the boys – can you tell our readers more about what's on offer at the BBs in Buckie?
A. In the Anchor Boys and Junior section there are three elements, with the emphasis on games, badge work and crafts. They also compete in events with boys from elsewhere in the Banffshire Battalion.
In the Company section the programme offers a wide variety of skills and subjects, such as first aid, leadership, Christian faith, seamanship, safety and communication. The boys also look at the likes of drug abuse and alcohol awareness.
We've developed all these programmes ourselves and basically to prepare the boys for the world of world. Certain elements are also contained within the work required for the Queen's Badge.
Q. What would you hope boys take away from their time at 1st Buckie onwards into their adult lives?
A. Discipline, pride in themselves, Christian faith and a sense of commitment, including punctuality and attendance. We're not the military, obviously, but as I said before we want to give boys the best preparation for the world of work which awaits them.
We have found it makes a difference when boys go to apply for jobs or places at college or university. You often find, for example, that they will be asked to take something to an interview to talk about. Many boys take along their Queen's Badge book and interviewers can see proof of qualities such as leadership, communication and commitment.
Q. The wider community means a lot to 1st Buckie, doesn't it?
A. Very much so. Before Covid we were very active in helping out with a wide range of events throughout the year.
We helped out at the likes of the Six Harbour Walk, the Buckie Christmas Kracker and the Portsoy Boat Festival, among many more and also undertook many other activities for the community such as beach cleans and weeding streets.
During the pandemic the senior boys dedicated time to helping the older folk in our community by going shopping for them, doing their gardens, walking their dogs, that sort of thing.
All of these things are about doing something for others. It also gives the boys the chance to develop their communication skills with people they don't know and in situations they may be unfamiliar with. It builds their self-confidence and instils a willingness to help others.
Q. Covid has disrupted just about every facet of life over the last two years – how has it affected the BBs?
A. It was a wake up call for us, really. We learned a lot and we've come back stronger – we've got waiting lists to join for certain age groups.
Covid regulations have meant we've had to adapt many of programmes but we've managed to carry on. Another change has been moving from Buckie High School to our home church, Buckie South and West.
Financially speaking I have to say I'm delighted with the wonderful response we've had from the community over the past two years. We couldn't hold our usual fundraisers like pancake teas, which were our lifeline, and had to diversify into areas such as hampers and quizzes.
Q. What do you see as the main challenges and positives for 1st Buckie moving forward?
A. Ensuring good leadership for the Company is the biggest thing we have to address in the longer term.
Shorter term we’re getting back to normal as best we can. We took boys away to summer camp and have reinstated the bugle band, which is very welcome.
During the last two years the South and West Church have been very, very supportive and this relationship has been a major strength for us and one I very much hope will continue.
Captain McIntosh added: "I suppose you could say what we're all about at 1st Buckie is building and developing the all-round character of the boys as they head towards adulthood.
"It's about developing them mentally as well as physically."
