BB parade rained off

Oct 30 2008 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

A LANARKSHIRE Boys’ Brigade chief this week voiced his disappointment that Sunday’s 125th anniversary parade had to be cancelled in Hamilton due to torrential rain.

But Hamilton and District Battalion president William Thomson was delighted when, despite the weather, around 280 boys from the 16 companies that make up the battalion turned up for the Founder’s Day parade.

Although the proposed march from Hamilton Ice Rink to Hamilton College had to be called off, a special anniversary service took place within the college grounds, after kids were taken there by bus and car.

Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire Gilbert Cox and South Lanarkshire Provost Russell Clearie were in attendance as battalion chaplain, Reverend Arthur Barry, took the service.

During the ceremony, five Boys’ Brigade officers were given a gift of decanters and glasses to mark 60-75 years’ service.

Mr Thomson (61), who himself has been with the BBs for over 50 years, said: “I was disappointed that we didn’t get to march from the ice rink to Hamilton College because it was to mark the 125th anniversary, and that isn’t going to come around again.

“But I was delighted with the turnout of the boys, because there can’t have been much short of 280 there.

“It was amazing to see the five officers receive their gifts to mark such long service – that’s incredible, and obviously they were all with the Boys’ Brigade as man and boy.

“We also managed a short march past after the service, so that was good too.”

The Founder’s Day parade was to be one of several events taking place in the coming weeks to mark this special anniversary.

Founded by William Alexander Smith in Glasgow on October 4, 1883, the Boys’ Brigade is the oldest Christian uniformed youth organisation in the world.

South Lanarkshire Council hosted a civic reception on Monday, and the BBs are also holding a World Mission cheque presentation on November 14, when all money collected by battalions across Scotland will be presented to the Moderator of the Church of Scotland.