Author: Ross Duthie

The #140baton was received earlier this evening from 4th Peterhead at the top of Kinnaird Head Lighthouse to celebrate the 140th anniversary of the Boys Brigade. Where the Lighthouse was lit in Boys Brigade blue for 140 minutes to celebrate the occasion.

The baton will be with us for the next week as it continues its travels around Scotland.

Many boys and officers from all sections met to celebrate this momentous occasion.

Anchors & Juniors Enrolment: Tuesday 29th August 6:30-7:30pm

First Night back: Tuesday 5th September

Company Section Joint Enrolment & First Night Back: Friday 1st September

If you would like to find out more information about joining, please drop us an email on 1stfraserburgh@thebb.onmicrosoft.com

New session enrolment and start back dates and times.

Anchors and Juniors enrol on Tuesday 30th August 6.30pm – 7.30pm and new session starts on Tuesday 6th September:

Anchors 6.30pm – 7.45pm

Juniors 6.30pm – 8.00pm

Company Section enrols Friday 26th August 7.00pm – 8.00pm

and starts on Friday 2nd September 7.00pm – 9.30pm

We look forward to seeing you all again!

It was with a deep sense of shock and sadness that many of us heard of the sudden passing of Duncan Leel Jnr, aged only 40 years.

Duncan was a long-time member of the 1st Fraserburgh Company after briefly starting his BB journey in the 1st New Pitsligo Anchors. In 1992/93, when the 1st Fraserburgh Company Band was reformed, Duncan was quick to sign up. Learning the snare drum under Alastair Sinclair, he would go on to become senior drummer to the band. In 2002 he was appointed Bandmaster of the Company Band and served in that post for the next 20 years. Under his tenure the band had a number of successes at the BB Scottish Band Contests.

Followers from further afield will remember Duncan from the many Scottish Band competitions he attended as a boy, officer and bandmaster. In many respects many of his old boys will remember him most fondly for the same thing, from the days when the pilgrimage to the contest was an annual event. His band was also the Band for the Buchan Battalion, being called upon to cover our parades.

Between 2016-20, Duncan served as Officer-in-Charge of the 1st Fraserburgh Junior Section. It was something of a return, being a long-standing senior officer of the section for the decade between 2000-10. A popular officer in Juniors, he won the Officer of the Year award on a number of occasions. In total, Duncan gave upwards of 20 years service to the Boys’ Brigade as a staff member and Lieutenant in his company.

Away from BB he is perhaps best known for managing and then owned the Dick’s Sports business. Many an officer will know of his kindness in business, as there was always a wee BB discount of some description added to the final bill. This was a kindness and helpfulness he had in all spheres of life and something that will be missed by his many friends. Very recently Duncan had embarked on a new career as a bus driver, something he loved and was proud of, which makes his untimely passing all the more cruel.

The only son of Jessie and Duncan Snr, lately Battalion President, the thoughts of all in Buchan are with them both at this incredibly sad and difficult time. Their family within this Brigade will be there to support them, always.