The 2008/2009 Battalion 5-a-side football competition ended with the final tournament on the 4th April. The 1st Bearsden Junior team were unable to make it three league wins in a row, but nevertheless finished in a very respectable third place. The team will no doubt come back stronger next year and want to mount a challenge to regain the title of Battalion Champions. Well done to all who took part over the course of the year.

You can find out more about the Battalion 5-a-sides and other events on the Competitions page.

On Sunday 29th March, members of the 1st Bearsden Boys’ Brigade put on their wellies for a thorough clean-up of the Manse Burn and Glebe Car Park, where their hall is situated. Joined by Councillors Amanda Stewart and Duncan Cumming, the team of nineteen, armed with litter-pickers, managed to fill over twenty bin bags of rubbish that had steadily gathered over time. While most of the litter was cans and plastic bags, some of the more interesting finds of the day included a wok, a barstool, a skateboard and even two ten pound notes. To finish the event, all of the participants had a helping of pies and sausage rolls which, given the fantastic weather, were eaten outside.

Ten of the company's Seniors travelled to Firhill Stadium to see the Glasgow Warriors take on league leaders Munster on Friday 27th March. Despite the home team getting an early try, the Warriors were unable to take advantage of their conversion attempts and eventually succumbed to a 13-26 defeat. Nevertheless, the event was enjoyable and all who went along had great fun.

A strong performance from all in the badminton team resulted in the 1st Bearsden winning the Battalion Badminton Competition on Saturday 14th March. Adam Atri finished in top spot in the Juniors event while Ross Curran claimed first place at the intermediate level. Special mentions also to Scott Curran and Damian Light, whose performances helped claim first position for the 1st Bearsden.

The 76th Annual Concert, entitled "The Great Escape", proved a fantastic success on all three performances. Playing to over 650 audience members, the cast produced a fabulous display to make the event a great night out for all who came. The concert is particularly special as every boy takes part in some way or another. A grand sum of £2,300 was raised in total. See photos.

The Senior 5-a-side football team failed to qualify for the Scottish finals, after missing out in Methil on Saturday 14th February. Despite recovering well from a horrific start, unfortunately the damage was already done and the team had to settle for a respectable mid-table finish. The team consisted of Iain Howe, Gary Patterson, Sean Dick, Graeme Shand and Andrew McNee. Read More.

The 1st Bearsden drill squads managed to retain both Battalion Drill trophies at the annual competition, which was held on Friday 6th February in Dumbarton. The squads came home with the Taggart trophy and the Overtoun Shield, which are awarded to best drilled elementary squad (P7 or S1) and advanced squad (S2 or above) respectively. As a result of the win, it means that the 1st Bearsden has the privilege of supplying the colour party for the Battalion parade. Well done to all that took part.

The January edition of the Gazette, the BB's national magazine, included an article by the 1st Bearsden's very own Cpl Jamie Figes. His account of last summers trip to Wisconsin was published alongside the UK Boys' Brigades national and international news. The Gazette is published quarterly and is viewable from the national BB website.

You can read Jamie's article here.

The Battalion Cross Country Competition was held on the 31st January in Dumbarton and four 1st Bearsden boys were involved. Lewis Blakely competed in the Junior event, Sean Dick ran in the Intermediate race and Lachlan Carter and Jamie Figes ran in the Senior event. The 2009 Cross Country event was one of the busiest in recent times with nine companies from the Battalion taking part. The four 1st Bearsden runners put in a sterling performance to record an impressive display. Lewis completed his first ever race for the BB by ending up in the top half of the Junior event, finishing in 8th position. Sean Dick finished 3rd in the Intermediate race and consequently also finished in the top half. In the Senior event, Jamie Figes finished in 1st Place and Lachlan Carter came 2nd. Congratulations and well done to everyone who took part.

The Seniors hosted a Burns Supper on the night of Saturday 24th January. The event was held in an effort to raise funds for the Children's Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS), which is BB Scotland's adopted Charity for the 125 year Anniversary. It was a lively evening, with all of the traditional speeches, such as the Immortal Memory, Address to the Haggis and a Toast to the Lassies being made by Senior boys. A traditional meal of Homemade Soup, Haggis, Neeps and Tatties and a Sweet with tea or coffee made up the menu. A grand sum of £600 was raised for charity. Many thanks to those who supported the event.

The annual Battalion Carol Service took place in Westerton Parish Church on Sunday 14th December. The Service is open to boys, parents and friends of all Companies in the Lennox and Argyll Battalion. It is open for members of all sections (Anchors, Juniors and Company Section) to attend. The Christmas themed service was concluded by the singing of favourites such as Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, 12 Days of Christmas and, of course, Jingle Bells, which were led by the Brigade President.

On the morning of Saturday 6th December, the 1st Bearsden held its annual Christmas Market in the BB Hall. The event was well attended, especially considering the freezing conditions outside. There was a wide variety of Christmas gifts on sale as well as a home baking stall, 0&5 stall, a drawing competition and various games. Unfortunately the freezing temperatures prevented the car wash from taking place but nevertheless a grand sum of £1800 was made. Many thanks to those that helped during the day and to those who supported the event.

Held at Vale of Leven Swimming Pool, Company Section took part in the annual Battalion Swimming Gala.   This Battalion Competition is a joint Company and Junior Section event, with Boys taking part in heats and finals in their respective age group.   As ever, the Gala was well attended by Boys from throughout Battalion.

The Company Section Boys competed well, and managed to make it through their heats into several of the finals.   Overall, the Company Section managed to secure 4th place in the Compnay Sections placings.

The Enrolment Parade this year was to New Kilpatrick Parish Church.   There was an excellent turnout from each of the 3 Sections, and the weather behaved itself as well.... !

The Central Churches of Bearsden, to which 1st Bearsden are attached, take it turn to host and conduct Parade Services, such as our annual Enrolment Service.   Later this Session, we will parade to two of the other churches to which we are attached, Baljaffray Parish Church and All Saints Episcopal Church.

On Friday 3rd October Scott Crane, one of the leaders from Boys and Girls Brigade in Neenah Wisc. USA flew over to stay in Bearsden for a week. Scott was the special guest at our “Packers Day” on Sunday 5th October. The idea was to try and create the authentic atmosphere of an American Football game, with a bar b q, discuss tactics, a few practice sessions, then sit down and watch the Green Bay Packers live over the internet. Sadly the technology let us down, however we were able to watch a highlights DVD on the large screen. The day was very enjoyable and Scott was able teach us some of the finer points of the game.

The Company Section had the tremendous honour to take their 75th Annual Concert “on the road” and put on a performance at Alloa Town Hall recently. This was for delegates to the 125th Boys’ Brigade Council meeting. It was a mammoth task and required a fantastic amount of team work with various site visits prior to the night. A seven and a half ton truck was necessary to move everything from Bearsden to Alloa. The boys worked particularly hard, rehearsals were held over the summer as there were some alterations from the March spectacular held in the BB Hall. Around 450 people from all over the UK were present on the night and the show was a spectacular success with the boys receiving a well deserved standing ovation.