Tag: BBs

Local BBs beat retreat

BB retreat1

Sixty young people from The Boys’ Brigade (BB) took part in the annual Beating Retreat ceremony at Edinburgh Castle last Saturday (11 May). The event, now in it’s 56th year, featured the pipes and drums, bugles and trumpets of The Edinburgh, Leith and District Battalion, The Central Band of the Boys’ Brigade, 3rd Johnstone Flute Band and 13th and 44th Dundee Pipe Band.

The ceremony saw each band march across the drawbridge and perform a short routine on the Castle Esplanade to the delight of the gathered crowd of spectators and dignitaries. Chief guest was Mike McCormick, Assistant Chief Constable, Police Scotland.

Alastair Chalmers, CEO, Edinburgh, Leith and District BB, said: “The young people came from BB bands from across Scotland and did us proud. Their professionalism and talent shone through. Luckily, the weather was on our side too and we managed to attract a large number of tourists to the event.”

Beating Retreat is a military ceremony dating back to the 16th century, first used when drums were used as signals in the battlefields. Beating the Retreat was a signal for troops to retreat from battle as light faded.

BB retreat2

Local BBs go commando!

BB’s from Leith were among a select detachment of Scottish members of The Boys’ Brigade (BB) who have just been put through their paces as guests of the Royal Marines (RM) at the Commando Training Centre at Lympstone, Devon.

The twelve seniors and young leaders from Leith, Dundee, Falkirk, Glasgow (Shettleston), Houston and Strichen spent a gruelling week taking part in endurance tests, assault courses and a three-mile run as part of the RM ‘Look @ Life’ course.

BB member, Peter Burt said: “I thought the endurance course was the best bit – I have never been so cold in my life, but afterwards we were all so proud to have finished it. One day we were five minutes late for a session so we had to do loads of press ups and run up and down a hill – no one was ever late again!”

Major Neil Cooper of the Royal Marines said: “We were delighted to have the BB group from Scotland on the Look at Life Course; this is the first time we have ever hosted a group from the Boys’ Brigade and we were really impressed at how well all the guys got stuck in and got the most out of their time with the Marines.  We are definitely keen to work more with the BB in the future.”

Bill Stevenson, Director, Scotland, The Boys’ Brigade said: “Many thanks to everyone at RM Lympstone who made this happen.  The young people were definitely up for a challenge – and that’s exactly what they got. The Royal Marines are required to undergo one of the longest and most physically demanding training regimes in the world and to give our members a taste of that was fantastic. The course was designed to test not just physical ability, but mental strength and stamina.  I think our BB members did well and should be really proud of themselves!”

Boys Brigade with Royal Marines