31st December 2010 - 1 pm M&D's JS & CS 10-pin Bowling

I have booked for 30 people to play at M&D's Cosmic Bowl on Friday 31st December at 1 pm.

Please meet me inside Cosmic Bowl at 12.45 for a 1 pm start. We are playing two games so it should take just about 2 hours.

Check out your email, and send me a reply to let me know if you are or are not going.
Or post a comment below.

Mark

COMPANY SECTION IS ON TOMORROW NIGHT!

Isaac sent me a text about TWO hours ago and he has come up with a really great idea.

He knows how many people at Cadzow Parish Church would really appreciate it if the Company Section came down on Friday night and cleared away the snow on the footpaths, the car park and the pavements, so as they could all get to Church safely on Sunday.
It might be a really easy job, it seems to have got quite a shift today with the slightly warmer weather, but I was down at the Church this afternoon and the car park and Haddow Street were not very good for walking or driving on.

So I have taken him up on this offer and have challenged him to get buy in from the older Boys in the Company Section.
What you need to do is be at the Church on Friday night, not in uniform, but with a good pair of boots and suitable outdoor clothing on, hats and gloves, also bring a shovel and a brush.

I am sure the Minister will come along and help or at least make us all a hot chocolate or coffee when we are done.

See you there tomorrow night.

Next planned "normal" BB night will be after the new year on Friday 7th January 2011.

We have still to organise a trip to the 10-pin bowling for the week between Christmas and New Year.
I will send out an email and will try to phone everybody prior to that trip.
It will probably be the Wednesday 29th in the afternoon, but this needs to be confirmed with M & D's and also checked with the availability of the Company Staff for that afternoon.
Look out for an email just before Christmas and it should also appear on the blog site

JUNIOR SECTION 7th December 2010 - CANCELLED

JUNIOR SECTION CANCELLED - Due to the very adverse weather this week and given the fact that the Church Car Park and Haddow Street are really not suitable for walking and driving on.

I was down at the Church this afternoon, and Haddow Street was not great, the car park was really icy and slushy.

So no BB this week for the Junior Section. Next planned "normal" BB night will be after the new year on Friday 7th January 2011.

We have still to organise a trip to the 10-pin bowling for the week between Christmas and New Year.
I will send out an email and will try to phone everybody prior to that trip.
It will probably be the Wednesday 29th in the afternoon, but this needs to be confirmed with M & D's and also checked with the availability of the Company Staff for that afternoon.
Look out for an email just before Christmas and it should also appear on the blog site

Anchor Section Carol Service - 7th December CANCELLED

Due to the weather today and the travel chaos caused. We have been advised that the Carol Service scheduled for tomorrow night in Blantyre HAS BEEN CANCELLED!

Should stillbe on next Tuesday 14th normal time etc. at our Church.

Mark

Friday 3rd December 2010

Junior & Company Sections WILL BE ON TONIGHT

Usual times JS 6.00 - 7.45, CS 7.45 - 10.00

Don't try to drive into the church car park it has not been cleared. Haddow Street and Woodside Walk are both fine. At the moment all the main roads are clear with only a little slush.
Just be careful coming across the car park.

The current forecast is as good as we have had all week - white cloud, maybe sleet, at only zero degrees!

Coffee Morning - Update

The final total raised at our Coffee Morning held last weekend is now £690.00.

Thanks to everyone who help us to raise this fantastic amount. People who came down and bought tickets, raffles tickets, helped to serve tea & coffee, washed dishes, cleared tables, served behind the home baking stall, set up all the stuff to eat on trays,  anybody who gave us a donation.

As you will know on the day we had a tray of poppies and a collection tin. We will send a cheque to Poppy Scotland for £150.00 and we will send back their collection tin after next week end.

Thanks again.

Mark

Coffee Morning - 30th October 2010

Our Annual Fundraising Coffee Morning will be held on Saturday 30th October from 10 am until 12 noon.

Tickets are now on sale and are priced £2 for adults and £1 for children. as usual we have have the tea/coffee a home baking stall and a Christmas Hamper raffle prize.

You can get tickets on Tuesday or Friday nights, and also at Church on Sundays.

Any donations of home baking will be gratefully received.

Capitation Fees - 2010 - 2011

We have received our Annual Bill from Brigade for our Company.
Looking at the numbers in the numbers in the Company, we have set the level of our Capitation fees as noted below:


Anchor Section Boys £13.00,  Junior & Company Section Boys and All Officers - £14.50


I am in the process of sending out letters to all the Boys to let them know how much is still owed for the Annual Capitation Fee. Quite a number of people have already paid £5 towards this fee, so their balance will obviously be less.

3rd Sunday Service - 17th October

Hope you have all enjoyed your break from School and BB.

This Sunday is our first 3rd Sunday Church Service of the new session.
The Boys are asked to be down in the halls for 10.20hrs and can be picked up from the halls after the service at approx. 12 noon. Full uniform should be worn and bring a collection.
Parent's are more than welcome to stay for the service.

All three Sections are back on as Normal this week - Tuesday 19th and Friday 22nd.

Junior Section restarted on Friday 3rd September

Quite a few Boys were missing.
Probably due to a combination of some really nice weather and a Scotland football match live on the TV, an understandable reason not to go to BB.

The Boys who came down did not miss out on anything.

By quarter to eight they were ready to go home via the tuckshop. They all had a good night and will be back for more next week.

Remember next Friday when it might well be raining and Scotland games are not being shown live on the TV. The missing Boys can always come down, they know where we are. You have all been sent letters

2010 - 2011 Session Start dates

By now everybody should have received a letter letting them know when their start back date is.

Anchor Section  - Tuesday 7th September @ 6pm.

Junior Section - Friday 3rd September @ 6pm.

Company Section - Friday 3rd September @ 6pm.

Also included in the letter sent out was an order form for anybody who needs new or replacement uniform and a copy of the annual consent form. Please return these on your start date to either Linda or myself.

We are all looking forward to seeing you all back in early September.

Mark and all the Officers at 5th Hamilton BB.

Top of the Hill

A group of 10 representing all 3 sections of the Company - Boys, Officers and Families took part and completed the Tinto Climb on Saturday 3rd July for Macmillan Cancer Support.

So if you sponsored us at the Display, I'll be after you for your money next week.

Tinto Walk

We now have 7 people doing the walk with us on Saturday 3rd July.

Our T-Shirts arrived on Friday, so I will try to get them out to you by the weekend.

GARDENING TEAM !

I am away on business this week, so I wont be able to get to you.

Guys you seriously need to get together and get in contact with Mr & Mrs B.
Phone the house I will leave a note of the number with Linda.
I know we are one down, away to Denmark with the school, I'll kick his butt when I go past that way on the way to or from Norway.

Please get your collective heads together and get over there one night or afternoon this week.

Mark

The Grade II Expedition Boys survived the Midgies!

The weather was great on Friday, nice a dry for the walk up to the campsite. I hear that they all got set up before dark and had to disappear into the tents for an early night because of the interest shown by the local wild life. The Midgies were out in force.

When I arrived at 9.30 am on Saturday morning our 4 Boys were heading out as part of a group of 20 Boys doing there 10 mile day hike for their grade II expedition badge. The 16 grade III Boys had left on their 15 mile day hike at 9 am. Some hardy soul told that the 8 Silver DoE expedition boys were up and away before 7 am and were not expected back much before 9 pm.

Myself and Robin went out the easy way to one of the first grade III check points at a river crossing next to an old croft building. We met up with Mr S and 2 Officers from Dalserf at that point. The grade III Boys were just leaving so we had a break and let them go on their way. We followed their route along to a bridge an a left turn in the track which took the grade III boys back round the hill back to the old croft building.

At that point the Officers from Dalserf went on ahead to another check point for the Silver DoE Boys, we actually caught sight of a team of 3 probably from 1st Bothwell, just before we turned back to catch up with the grade II boys and then the grade III boys at the river crossing.

We got back to the river at about 2.30 pm and then spent the rest of the afternoon sitting enjoying the sunshine, chatting and drinking coffee, while we watch for the Boys returning. The 20 Grade II made it across safely with only one wet foot. Eventually between 3.30 and 4.30 all 16 grade III boys made it back to us and crossed the river with out too much mishap.

35 of the grade II and III boys were all back on site by 5.15 and were eating. Mr S, Robin and I were slightly held back as we escorted the straggler from the grade III hike back down from the river. A little too much sun, not enough sun cream or water and too heavy a pack was just getting too much for him over the last couple of miles.

We left them to it at 6 pm and came home to a nice warm bath and some hot food.

I recieved a text from a PK on Sunday.
He said they were all fine.
He complained about the Midgies, and the amount of bites they all had.
He complained about the Scottish weather, (it rained up in Callander overnight).
He said they were tired.
But he did say that they had all had fun on Saturday.

Glad you enjoyed it Guys, that was grade II.
5 more miles next year, the year after, and the year after.
This years grade I, take note. Less talking, more walking.

Grade II Expedition

The "older" ones are now ready for their expedition weekend. Well they have all their equipment.

They leave from the manse on Friday at 6.15 pm and who knows when they return, certainly I don't because the Battalion Secretary has not yet informed us. I think they are aiming to be at the bus in Callander for 12 noon so back in Hamilton for 2 pm????
But by the wonders of modern technology, I'm sure the Boys will let somebody know.

We might see them on Saturday, I'm supposed to be going up with Robin McLean (1st Bothwell) and possibly the Minister to do some supervision. We'll see, if I get up on Saturday and it is raining........

Good Luck Guys, remember to stay off the sides of the tent.

Kids Go Free on the Falkirk Wheel !

We were sent 38 Kids go free tickets from the Falkirk Wheel.

Just because we took a party of Anchor and Junior Section Boys there at the weekend we were sent these out in the post.

So if you or any of your friends feel like going to the Falkirk wheel before 31 July 2010.
Let us know, we can give you a complimentary children's ticket aboard the boat trip that you can use when accompanied by a full paying adult.

I can't see me using them all  before the end of July. so give us a call or drop us an email. if you want 1 or 2 or 3.

Mark

Grade 1 Expedition

Well done to the 4 Boys who took part in the Grade 1 expedition on Saturday morning.
Everybody turned up on time and we got down to Warnlockhead and set off at 10.30.

It was a bit overcast and we had a couple of showers but nothing too wetting.

Everybody managed to complete the wlak from Warnlockhead to Spango Bridge in just over two hours, although it would have been quicker if some people had not talked as much (Stewart and Alex).

Took my camera but forgot to take pictures, DOH!


Next challenge for this bunch the Tinto walk, the grade 2's will have their own practice walk up in Callandar in a couple of weeks time.
Remember you need to let me know if you are going to do the Tinto walk so as I can organise MacMillan T-Shirts from Angela at the Biggar Office.

The Display - Friday 14th May

You had to be there, to get a prize.

The Top table was loaded with them at the beginning and empty at the end 

We gave everything away to all the winners.

Two Boys got president's Badges and Colin got his Queen's Badge.


Colin was also discharged as a Boy, but he was also promoted to Staff Sergeant and asked back as a member of Staff.

MacMillan Cancer Support - Sponsored Tinto Walk

 

Saturday 3rd July we intend to take part in this event to raise money for this very worthwhile charity.

As many of The Company Section Boys as we can manage will be doing the event. They will be looking for sponsorship on Friday night at the Display.

I hope you can help us out and sponsor us in this event.

Mark

Grade 1 Expedition - Saturday 15th May

I have now confirmed with 2nd Blantyre that all 4 Grade 1 Boys will be tasking part in the expedition walk on Saturday morning, from Warnlockhead to Spango Bridge.

The 4 Boys should meet me down at the Church on Saturday for 9 am, we will leave and then go down to meet up with the 2nd Blantyre Company at 10 am.

I am told that it should not take the boys much more than an hour and a half to two hours to complete. We should be leaving Spango Bridge just after 12 noon and be back in Hamilton for 1 pm hopefully.

The Boys should bring along a day sack with a packed lunch and something to drink. Wet weather gear and have a pair of sturdy hill walking boots. We have our own expedition equipment which will be given out on Saturday maps, compass, whistle, etc.
The Boys need to prepare their route card all as previously discussed.

Mark

Display / Smartie Tubes / Anchor & Junior Trips

This as a reminder that the Parents Night is on Friday 14th May. Further details of what your son needs for the night will be given soon.

Also, our Smartie tube fundraiser allows ¼ of the money to be split amongst the boys who have taken part, as profit share, to be set against the cost of their trip. (this works out at approx £3 each year)

Unfortunately, the funds from this have not come in as normal this year, so, if you still have to hand in your Smartie tube, with 20p’s, then can we have it next week.

This year we are thinking about going to the Falkirk Wheel and then possibly making a visit to Carronvale, our National Training Centre, for games in the afternoon. This trip will be on Saturday 22nd May.
As with the past few years, this will be a joint trip for both Anchor and Junior section boys.


May I take this opportunity to ask for your co-operation over the next few weeks, by making sure that your son attends Boys' Brigade and also to let us know if he will not be able to attend the Parents Night on the 14th May. (There is nothing worse than having boys rehearse things, then not being able to come on the night).

Many thanks for your help,

Mark

Battalion Junior Section Quarterdeck Parade – Sunday 25th April

This Sunday we are hosting the annual Battalion Junior Section Parade at Cadzow Parish Church.

This is not so much a parade as a Church service and presentation of awards.

As many Boys as possible should attend this service. Wear Full Uniform, and bring a collection.
The Boys should be brought down to the Church hall at 2.30 pm for a 3 pm service. Parents are welcome to stay. Boys should be picked up from the hall at 4 pm.

I have attached to the back of this letter a note about the Display, Smartie Tube Fund raiser and the Junior Section trip. In addition, I would ask that any Boy who still has a cup presented at last years Display please return it to me by Sunday 25th April.

Easter Holidays

We are all having a well earned two week break from BB because it is the Easter Holidays. The schools don't call it that any more, it's called the spring holiday and this year it ties in very nicely with Easter. So we will call it the Easter Holidays.

The Junior & Company Sections will not meet on Good Friday (2nd) and will also be off on Friday 9th April. Both these sections will be back on Friday 16th, and yes we know that is still at the end of the holidays, but we can't afford to take 3 weeks off so near to the end of the session.

The Anchor Section will not be meeting on Tuesday 6th and 13th but will be back on Tuesday 20th April , which is the day after you all go back to school.

Please remember that Sunday 18th April is the 3rd Sunday of the month and we will be attending Church as a Company. Please meet in uniform in the halls for 10.20, remember to bring a collection, and as usual Parent's are more than welcome to stay for the service.

When we come back all the sections will only have 4 meetings each before the end of session Annual Display and Parent's Evening on Friday 14th May. 

If any Boy has a trophy from Anchor, Junior or Company Section from the Display last year please bring them back on Friday 16th or Tuesday 20th April. We need to get them in and out to get engraved.

Saturday 13th March

12 Boys are taking part in the Battalion Junior Section Figure Marching Competition.

This is being held at the Congregational Church Halls in Blantyre, at the top end of the Asda Blantyre car park.

The Boys all know who they are, they need to be meet Mr Nicolson in Blantyre at 1.15 in full BB Uniform, they are due on the floor at 1.30 and should be finished for 1.40 pm.

Friday 12th March

Next Friday 12th March we will NOT be meeting in the Church halls at Cadzow as Usual.
The Church is holding a Stewardship Campaign on Thursday 11th and Saturday 13th therefore the halls are not available to us for use.
I have booked two gyms halls at Holy Cross Secondary School for use on the night.

Junior Section will meet at the usual time 6.00 pm - 7.45 pm.
Company Section will meet from 7.45 pm only until 9.30 pm.

There will be no tuck shop next week.

3rd Sunday - 21st February 2010

This weekend it is the 3rd Sunday of the month again.

So we will be attending the Church as a Company - all 3 Sections, Anchor, Junior & Company. In full Uniform.

Those of you who were at Anchors on Tuesday should all have got a note and Junior & Company Boys will get a note tonight.

Sunday morning in the Hall for 10.20 am in full uniform, wearing school trousers and black shoes. Remember to bring a collection.

Parents can stay if they wish. Boys can be picked up from the hall after the service at approx. 11.45 or midday, depending how long the Minister goes on for this week!

(He got carried away last week, he was still going at noon).

Colin's Blog

Hi, I'm Colin and I'm in the Ups and Downs Theatre Group.

Our show this year is at the Hamilton Town House between the 8^th and 13^th of March.

Why not come along and see our show. you can get tickets from the Town House or from my friend Doreen Barclay.

Annual Fees

There are still quite a number of outstanding Annual Fees still to be paid for Junior and Company Section Boys.

The Annual Fee has already been paid by the Company to Brigade Headquarters.

This year the Company Annual Fee is:
£12.00 for Boys in the Anchor Section
£13.50 for Boys in the Junior & Company Sections and all Officers.

We would appreciate these overdue Fees being paid before the end of January 2010.

Thanks
Mark

Junior & Company Sections - Friday 15th January

Just a quick note to let you all know that Junior & Company Sections will meet as usual this coming Friday in the Chruch Halls at the usual times.
3rd Sunday Church Parade – this Sunday 17th Jan 2010.

Full BB Uniform:
Please remember to bring your collection.
Normal time arrangements: meet in church hall between 10.20 and 10.30am and pick-up from the hall, at approx. 11.45, after the service.
Parents are invited to stay for the service.

Change of venue for Anchor Section - Tue 12th

Hi Folks,

Following on from Marks e-mail on saturday last, we now require to change venue for Anchors this Tuesday (12th) and we will meet in Chatelherault Primary School, Silvertonhill Avenue.

Our meeting times will stay the same, start at 6pm and finish at 7.15pm. There will be NO tuck shop.

PLEASE KEEP CHECKING YOUR E-MAILS FOR UPDATES WITH REGARDS NEXT WEEK and for Junior and Company Sections for this Friday.

PLEASE REPLY BY E-MAIL BY MIDDAY TUESDAY 12TH, SO THAT I CAN PHONE ANYONE WHO MAY NOT HAVE PICKED UP THIS MESSAGE.

Thanks for your co-operation,

Linda

Church Heating?

I have received in the form of an intimation from Cadzow Parish Church the following information.
"As a result of the prolonged spell of cold weather, the water supply to the whole Church is frozen, As a result there are no toilet facilities within the Church."

I would also add that I have spoken to one member who has to do with the heating that the reason we had to cancel Junior & Company Sections on Friday 8th January, was as a result of the main boiler tripping and not re-setting. This operation was carried out today, and we are told that there will be a service, tomorrow on Sunday 10th January all be it shorter than normal.

I will try to keep an ear out for any further developments, but at the moment the heating should be working for Tuesday 12th for the Anchor Section as usual, so unless you hear from us to tell you otherwise.

Anchor Section is still on this coming Tuesday.


And hopefully Junior & Company Sections will meet next Friday as usual.

Mark

Happy New Year - 2010

Brrrr.... It's Cold!

I don't think it's been much above zero since the turn of the year.
Never mind the weather, there is always something to do at the BB.

The Anchor Section started back on Tuesday 5th by going to McDonald's at the Palace grounds for their tea, 18 McChicken Nugget Happy Meals, 16 Flurries and loads of Milkshakes.

I think everybody enjoyed themsleves.

The Junior & Company Section had been down at M&D's during the holidays for their 10-pin bowling trip. 20 Boys from both Sections were joined by 4 Officers.

Calum from the Company Section got the highest score with 260 for 2 games. Also Scott from the Junior Section must be congratulated for scoring 119 in his 2nd game and beating both Mr H and Mr W from the Company Section who both struggled to break the 100 mark.

Everything is back to normal with the Junior & Company Section meeting on Friday nights in Uniform from 6 pm and 7.45pm.
Anchor Section back to their usual time and place on Tuesday nights.

See you all soon

Mark