During the 1990’s, weekly activities continued apace in all sections, but there were also a number of notable events during that period. Records don’t exist of all external events and successes, but we know that there were a number.
The Junior Section boys were winners of the Battalion Junior Swimming Competition on at least three occasions, 1995, 1997, and 1999, and of the Quiz Competition on at least one occasion. The Company Section boys were winners of the Battalion Senior Cross Country Shield in 1992 and 1998, and of the Lord Inverclyde Drill Competition in 1994 and 1996.Various members represented our Battalion in the Scottish National Cross Country Competition, in Perth, Larkhall, Tulliallan and Inverness. Company boys continued to participate in national competitions in chess, 5-a-side football, table tennis and volleyball, as well as in the Scottish Band Competition ; and in 1997 successfully took on the BB Krypton Challenge at Carronvale.
Left to Right: JS/AB Hallowe’en, JS Camp, Drip Camp Obstacle, Cross Country Champions, Drill Winners, Krypton Challenge (click photos to enlarge)
Closing Displays were held each year with Captains of local Companies as Inspecting Officers. The Juniors and Anchors continued to hold successful Halloween Parties as well as JS Weekend Camps at Balliefuill, Killearn, Aberfoyle and Abernethy, which soon became established as THE venue for these events, still used today. Anchor Boys enjoyed outings to the Bo’ness Railway, Balliefuill and Mugdock Country Park, as well as Fun Days within the Battalion. Juniors enjoyed walks up Dumyat, round Gartmorn Dam and from Dollar through to Glendevon as part of their award programme. In 1993, Sgts Graeme Forrest and Alister Swan were presented with their Queen’s Badges by Brigade President, Viscount Thurso, our first Queen’s Men since 1973.
Left to Right: JS Dumyat, AB Trip, CS Abernethy, Queen’s Men. (click photos to enlarge)
Company Section boys took part in two more unusual fund-raising activities ; in 1991 with a sponsored indoor overnight football marathon ; and in 1992 with a sponsored Obstacle Course at Stirling Drip Camp. They too had their annual winter weekend camps to Killearn, Fintry, or Abernethy. Summer Camps were held in Anstruther (1991/1994/1998) North Berwick (1992/1995/1999) Pitlochry(1993) and Carnoustie(1996). The North Berwick Camp in 1995 was the year of “McDane”, when we hosted a visit from F5, FDF. It was also the (only) time when we had a sizeable number of girls in camp as part of then F5 contingent – an interesting experience for all ! In 1997 the Company returned to Denmark for what was to be the last exchange visit with F5, which by then had changed in character and was no longer felt to be a useful connection.
Left to Right: MacDane Logo ‘95, Camp ‘95, Denmark Visit ‘97. (click photos to enlarge)
Two BB National events came on the scene in the 90’s. In 1995, the BB BIG EVENT was held in Strathclyde Country Park when boys from all over Scotland came together in mini-camps for a weekend of activities, including a Worship Service and Parade in Firhill. In 1999 the first of a number of annual BB led Christian festivals “Crossover” was held at Fordell Firs. We camped at this event and took part in various events and worship sessions in a very different kind of experience. These festivals continued successfully for a number of years thereafter, in different venues.
Left to Right: BB Big Event, Crossover. (click photos to enlarge)