47th CULTER BOYS' BRIGADE COMPANY
WE are now over two months into the re-start of session and I am delighted with both the attendance and work we have packed in so far. Anchor Boys, Junior Section and Company Section now all meet at Culter School every Thursday night, thus improving communication between the three sections and this appears to be the most suitable night of the week for both Boys and Staff. The re-start of session has seen around 80 boys, including many new boys, enjoying BB activities.
The Anchor Boys have now another helper. Sandra Smith kindly volunteered to help with young 'red jersey boys' which is greatly appreciated. With the three sections meeting on the same night, the third year Junior Section boys have been joining in with some of the Company Section activities to give them a taste before they move up next year. The Company Section has been very busy since the start of session including First Aid badgework with Ian (Chuck) MacDonald and gymnastics with Bill Smith. The Seniors also have been busy organising a Seniors' Dinner to be held at the beginning of next year, a 'Can't cook. Won't cook' weekend at Ballater and also their Presidents and Queens badges.
After our Enrolment Service on 30th September, all the Boys' Brigade members stayed on for a photo shoot of all three individual sections -Pipe Band, Officers and 'Old Boys'. The photographs will be used for our 2002
calendar copies of which are now on sale. The calendar is a twelve-leaf with front cover and full colour throughout. We are very grateful to many local firms for supporting the BB calendar including main sponsors Stewart Milne umber Systems, Balmoral Group and Shell UK. The calendars can be purchased at our Thursday night meetings, any of the fund-raisers listed below, contacting Mike Findlay or submitting your details online www.47culterbb.com.
The company website has now been re- constructed, so please check it out and let us know your thoughts. The website is updated every week with the boys' various activities, Pipe Band travels, forthcoming events, Camp news and much more. We are very grateful to former Captain Craig Sim for continuing our web site design.
The Pipe Bands have been playing at various engagements since the end of the Pipe Band season including football games at Pittodrie, Aberdeen Battalion Parades and the Braemar Gathering. The Pipe Band also has received a kind invitation to play on the lawn of Balmoral Castle next summer 'after being spotted by; and impressing, the Factor, Captain Roger Wilson. During the winter months the bands are busy learning their new tunes for a busy season in 2002.
This year saw Sheila Fraser retire from her Band duties. For many years Sheila has organised all the buses to the various competitions and also worked hard ensuring sufficient funds are available to keep the bands running. On behalf of the organisation I would like to thank Sheila for her long and dedicated service.
The 'Friends of the 47th' always have fund-raisers planned to help keep the Company running. They include a Boxing Night on Friday 30 November at Culter Mills Club. Bill and Joan Findlay have also organised an Old Tyme Dance on Friday 14 December. 'Friends of the 47th' are soon to launch a membership scheme which will include a small joining fee, receiving our monthly 'Four Seven' newsletter, a lapel badge and a special organised trip once a year. This is still at the planning stage. More details will be announced soon.
Once again, thank you all for your kind support towards the Culter BB Company and we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from everyone in the 47th.