We pick up the story during the 1955-56 session when the Alloa companies of the Battalion held a BARBECUE AND BRIGADOO at Alloa House – can anyone tell us what exactly a Brigadoo is!
What are the yanks doing here, well by the looks of it they provided the coo or should that be steer!
Moving onto the sixties and thanks to the generosity of the Stirling Christian Youth Council the Battalion was gifted its own headquarters, Youth House in Dalgleish Court Stirling. The Official Opening was by the then Brigade President Lord Maclay K. B. E on the 3rd November 1960.
In 1963 the Battalion Church parade was to Dunblane Cathedral. In the picture DAD had just completed 50 years service and was asked to be second in command - I wonder how many years you need - to be first in command – by the way, anyone recognise Dad?
Who can forget what happened in 1966? Yes that’s right, Brigade council met in Edinburgh, culminating in a ceildh. It was well attended by our officers, however we’re not to sure how many attended council. Something else happened that year I think? Anyway it’s all over now.
Of course it wasn’t all about Brigade Councils and Ceildhs, the normal routine of Brigade work went on - here we see a snapshot of 13th Stirling/Cambusbarron at their annual inspection in 1973.
The late 70’s saw the launch of “First for Boys”- a tremendous morale booster for the Brigade in general and our Battalion in particular. Indeed 1979 highlighted a significant increase in our participation in national competitions, with the 9th Stirling/Logie reaching the latter stages of the chess and the 11th Stirling/Bannockburn narrowly beaten in the 5 a sides.
We jump now to the Centenary year, with so much going on, so many events, it was difficult to know where to start. However our Centenary parade got us off on the right foot – or should that be left? We took part in many events across the country with special memories of the Centenary Salute. And our presence was noted at Scone Camp, even behind the scenes, we were involved – The late Jack Scott was part of the Quartermaster staff at Scone.
Jack was an ex- Captain of the 4th and a former President of the Battalion.
At both Scone and later in 1986 we had a good representation of boys at the International Camp in Ayr.
Once again national events come to the fore in the 90’s.Our own Battalion cross country races were hotly contested events so it was no surprise that we well represented in the national Cross Country championships.
Indeed from 92 right through to 95 we participated enthusiastically if not always successfully – but the boys enjoyed it never the less…
1995 also saw boys taking part in the BBig Event - a great weekend of activities at Strathclyde Park.
In 97 the Battalion was represented in the Krypton Challenge. Held at Carronvale it consisted of a mix of mental and physical challenges for all age groups of the company section both indoors and outdoors.
The 99 session got off to an early start in June with the first Crossover – heralded as “a new Christian festival for young people” – these lads from Stirling and District had a great time, so much so they went back for more in 2000.
That brings us to the end of our whistle stop tour of our Battalion over the last 75 years or so, and what of the future? –
“We the Officers and Boys of 2000 owe a debt of gratitude to the officers and boys of 1912 who had the perseverance to establish our Battalion.We owe it to the youth of today and tomorrow to ensure that Stirling and District Battalion continues the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom among Boys.“
Note: This document was prepared in 2000 as part of a powerpoint presentation.