125th Anniversary Tattoo

What a great night you all missed on Saturday night at Braehead Arena.

There were 4 bands – The Massed Pipes and Drums, The Drums and Bugles, The Wind Band and The Fifes and Drums. The music was superb, particularly when they played as the Massed Bands at the Finale; there were almost 600 musicians on the floor.



The Drill Precision Drill was also brilliant, they had 4 Drill Squads from Lanarkshire District Fellowship doing the District Drill Routine on the floor at the same time. Of course we were only watching the Hamilton & District Battalion Squad, because 3 of our Boys were in that Squad.


The all did very well, and they also seemed to enjoy the experience. Andrew, Calum and Robbie should be congratulated on how well they did. They also seemed to have had a good yet tiring day.


The Finale was great to see all the performers back out on the floor again. Our Company Colour was also included in the Finale along with those of the other Companies taking part in the Tattoo.
I think Andrew now realises that it is not much fun carrying a Colour for any length of time. I must admit that it brought back memories to me of the Centenary Celebrations at Ibrox in 1983; when as a Colour Sergeant I was the Escort to the Battalion Queen’s Colour on the pitch on the Saturday afternoon.

BUG HOTELS?

As part of the Junior Section Award Programme, under Community, and Ecology and all other things green. The Boys made "Bug Hotels" a couple of weeks ago, but as with most Friday nights it was raining.

So last night we took advantage of the dry weather and set up the "bug hotels" in and around the Church grounds. We asked our resident Eco expert to come down and advise us what would be the best location to put them in, and with a little expert advice, off they went.

The bug hotels are made out of cut up pieces of bamboo garden cane and some drinking straws tied in a bundle with a piece of string. The idea is that it provides a dry dark habitat for all things creepy and crawly. The sort of bug type things that help eat other plant eating bugs and help towards the Eco system with in the garden space.

Anchor and Junior Sections Trip 16th May 2009

We have only three weeks till the end of session, that is just a reminder, that our Display and Presentation of Awards, is on Friday 8th May at 7pm. (that is of course ALL sections of the Company). Can I also ask once again, that if your son is not going to be at Boys' Brigade that evening could you please let us know now.

As with previous years the Anchor and Junior Section trip is on the Saturday, one week after the display, this year being, as per our calendar, Sat 16th May.

Due to other Boys' Brigade commitments for 3 of our staff on the same evening, we are unable to organise a trip, which takes us away for the day, however we hope both Parents and Boys will be happy with the organised alternative.

We have managed an arrangement with the Vue Cinema, Hamilton, to allow us a block booking on the Sat morning, at the Kids Show, followed in the afternoon by a Fun Activities Programme at the Palace Grounds Sports Facility, which will be conducted by two Sports Development Coaches, from SLC.

The boys should wear their Anchor or Junior polo shirts and we suggest they wear sports shorts under tracksuit trousers and trainers. A jacket might be required depending on weather, as we will walk from the Vue to the Palace Grounds. (we will have toilet facilities at the palace grounds, but no changing rooms)

Drop off time: between 9.30 –9.45am (no later, as we have to be seated before doors open to the general public)
Venue: outside Vue Cinema

Pick-up time: 3pm
Venue: Palace Grounds Sports Facility, outside covered pitch.

Boys may bring a drink and small snack for the cinema – NO money to be brought.

We will provide a drink and crisps, after the cinema and before the Fun Activities.

As with previous trips, a percentage of the cost is off set by the profit share from our smartie tube fundraiser. Total cost for each boy is £5; the profit share is £3, for boys who returned their tube of 20p’s.

Cost for this event will therefore be:
· £2 - if you have returned a smartie tube
· £5 – if no smartie tube.

As time is marching on, we would be obliged if you would complete the attached permission slip and return it next week with the appropriate amount of money.

We hope this meets with your approval and we’re sure the boys will have a fun day, doing something slightly different.

Battalion Junior Section Quarterdeck Parade

The Battalion Annual Junior Section Parade is being held on the afternoon of Sunday 26th April at the West Parish Church, Hamilton.

Junior Section Boys are asked to attend this event in full BB uniform. The service will start at 3 pm in the Church and should not last longer than an hour. During the service the various Battalion Junior Section prizes are awarded to the winning Companies from the Battalion.

We are sure that a couple of our Boys should get an award at this service.

We would ask that the Boys meet us in the Church halls of the West Parish Church at 2.30 pm, in uniform with a collection. The service should be finished for 4 pm and the Boys can be picked up from the halls again. Of course parents are more than welcome to stay and join the worship.

The West Parish Church is on Clydesdale Street next to Hamilton West Railway Station.

Easter Holidays

Hope you are all enjoying your Easter Holidays from School, I'm sure you really are missing it and also BB, Anchor Boys, Junior and/or Company Section. Hope your are not over doing the chocolate!

Just remember we are not on this week on Friday 17th.

Anchor Section will meet as usual on Tuesday 21st April.

Junior and Company Sections will meet again on Friday 24th April.

All the Sections will be working on their Display items for 8th of May. We have invited the new Minister - Mr Carswell to be our Inspecting Officer in his new role as Company Chaplain.



125th Tattoo
Just a reminder that the only Boys that are required this week are the 3 Company Section Boys who are in the Battalion Drill Squad. Mr McLean from 1st Bothwell will pick the Boys up on Friday this week as previously arranged for a rehearsal at Bothwell.

The Boys have only another week to master the routine before their big night at the Braehead Arena on 25th April.

Company Section Boys in Battalion Drill Squad

3 of the Company Section Boys are currently in training with other Boys from Hamilton & District Battalion Companies which form a Battalion Drill Squad.

They will be taking part in the 125th Anniversary Tattoo on the 25th of April.

You can still get tickets if you want via Ticketmaster or direct from Braehead.

On the down side of this the 3 Boys are reminded that they need to stick in and keep practicing. So Mr McLean from 1st Bothwell will be picking them up from our Church and will be returning them to the Church on Friday 3rd April and Friday 24th April, He also wants to do a rehearsal during the holiday period on Friday 17th April and will make the necessary arrangements with the Boys for that night.

We wish the 3 Boys well and hope that the Battalion Drill Squad does us proud on the night of the Tattoo.