The target of collecting 1000 vouchers for the Tesco for Schools and Clubs scheme was well and truly smashed as the 1st Bearsden managed to gather a total of 1647 vouchers. This amazing result is all down to the kind donations from members, their families and friends and it will enable to Company to get new sports apparatus, including some much needed table tennis equipment. A big thank you to everyone that helped out.

Scotland's top "whistler", Craig Thomson, visited the Seniors in April 2010. Craig has been a Category 1 referee in Scottish Football for over 10 years, refereeing several Old Firm matches and also taking charge of the 2009 Scottish FA Cup Final at Hampden. He is on the Elite list of UEFA referees and his most recent high profile fixture, prior to visiting the Seniors, was the UEFA Europa Cup Quarter-Final tie between Valencia and Atletico Madrid.

After introductions and a brief background to Craig's career to date, he gave a presentation on aspects of leadership and teamwork, linking parts of the role of a referee to that of Senior Boys and NCOs in BB. Following this, Craig showed a number of football clips from DVD, with the Boys requiring to make a decision on whether a foul had been committed and what sanction, if any, should have been administered by the referee - this was a tense and low-scoring quiz, and the Boys found it interesting (and difficult!). Finally, the Boys asked Craig a number of questions relating to many and varied aspects of Scottish and World football, and refereeing in particular.

The Seniors' annual programme regularly includes guest speakers, debates and discussion on a large range of issues, including religion, politics, science, morality and sport..

Four runners from the 1st Bearsden took part in the National Cross Country Competition, which this year was held at Erskine Stewarts Melville School in Edinburgh on Saturday 20 March. Representing the Lennox and Argyll Battalion, Lewis Blakely ran in the Junior race while Chris Mollins, Ross Curran and Craig Weir ran in the Intermediate team. Despite the runners missing out on a final placing, all had fun taking part. You can see the photos in the Photo Gallery.

The 1st Bearsden won two awards at the annual Battalion Badminton and Table Tennis Competition, held on the 13th March. Ross Curran repeated his success of last year by winning the Intermediate badminton competition while Alex McDougall reached the semi finals in the Junior Badminton tournament. In the Table Tennis competition, Alex McDougall, Ross McWilliams and Calum Gordon all reached the semi finals of the Junior event, with Calum going on to win the Junior Competition. Jordan Mollins, Lewis Blakely, Scott Curran and Kyle Young also participated, helping the 1st Bearsden finish second in the table tennis tournament and third in the badminton tournament. Well done to all that participated and a special Thanks to the parents that helped out on the day.

The 1st Bearsden Pipe Band took part in the Scottish Bands Contest on Saturday 13th March, this year held at the Caird Hall in Dundee. The Band, sporting their new kilts and pipe covers, finished third overall in their category but won in the fields of Best Turnout, Drill and Deportment.

Following their performance in the Caird Hall the band played with other BB Bands and paraded in Dundee's City Square at the close of the day. Well done to all involved.

The 1st Bearsden went home with two of the three main prizes at the Battalion Cross Country competition on the 30th January 2010. Thanks to Jamie Figes and Lachlan Carter the 1st Bearsden came both first and second in the Senior race and Ross Curran picked up the Intermediate title. The 1st Bearsden also won the group title for the event. A strong show by Lewis Blakely saw him finish in third place in the Junior race. More details can be found under the "Cross Country" tab of the Competitions page.

Six members of the 1st Bearsden BB took part in the Battalion Bowling Evening held at the Bowlplex at Xscape on Tuesday 26th January. Those that played had two rounds of bowling and some managed to finish with very impressive scores. There were many strikes throughout the night and some gutter-balls, but all who took part had fun.

The Seniors held their third Annual Burns Supper with the profits from the evening, which totalled 400 pounds, going towards Yorkhill Children's Foundation. The evening's entertainment included recitals of Burns' poetry, a raffle, a "Burns Tucker Trial" and, of course, the Toast to the Lassies, Immortal Memory and other traditional speeches, all of which were performed by the Seniors. The night was enjoyed by over 60 people and the money raised will go to a worthy cause.

The 1st Bearsden was proud to once again form the Guard of Honour at Bearsden War Memorial for the annual Remembrance Sunday Commemorations. Also on display were the Company pipe and bugle bands, both of which led the procession that laid wreaths at the foot of the War Memorial. As per usual, a lone drummer from the Company marked the beginning and end of the two minute silence. Go to the Photo Gallery to see more photos from the Remembrance Ceremony.

The Seniors were visited by local MP Jo Swinson to discuss a variety of topics that were of interest to them, ranging from local to international issues. The recent MPs expenses scandal, the possibility of Scottish independence and the current conflict in Afghanistan were some of the subjects that were discussed. Many of the boys were particularly keen to hear Jo Swinsons thoughts on lowering the voting age from eighteen to sixteen while some raised concerns about recent proposals to increase the minimum driving age to eighteen.

The Seniors annual programme regularly includes debates and discussion on a large range of issues, such as the morality of prisoner release schemes and current affairs.

The Company had it's Enrolment Parade on Sunday 25th October at Baljaffray Parish Church. Joined by the Anchors and the Junior Section, the Company Section Paraded to the Church where the engaging service was led by Rev. Dr Ian McEwan.

Each year the Church that hosts our Enrolment Parade is rotated between the six Churches that are attached to the Company. Later this session we will parade to Bearsden Cross Parish Church.

A group of nine Seniors and four staff went on the Seniors day trip to Alton Towers on Saturday 3rd October. Leaving early Saturday morning, 3.15am to be precise, the group travelled the six hour journey by minibus, arriving at the theme park just as the gates were opening. Alton Towers has a huge array of rides suited to all people regardless of their "intensity threshold", so the whole group enjoyed the day.

Some of the group even tried going on rides they initially thought they couldn't stomach, only to go on it repeatedly afterwards. On the journey back up to Bearsden, the minibus made a scheduled stop in Bolton to take on some fish and chips for dinner. All in all it was a grand day out.

A 24 hour gamesathon was held in the 1st Bearsden Hall between 12pm on Saturday 15th August and 12pm Sunday 16th August. The notion behind a gamesathon is that games, whether they be sports or just physical activities, are played consecutively, without pause, for a period of 24 hours. Rrounders, table tennis, cricket and football were just some of the games that were played. A big well done to all those who took part, whether for an afternoon or the whole day.

The 1st Bearsden BBs new website was launched on Monday 13th July. It is hoped that the new format will be easier to use and will have the potential to offer more information.

Content will steadily grow over the Summer break, so remember to check back regularly to see what is new.

The Company Section has returned to Bearsden following a fun filled camp to Maggernie and Inverness. Accompanied by our American friends from The Boys and Girls Brigade in Fox Valley, Wisconsin, the campers were treated to a wide range of activities, both on camp and during daily excursions. Pitlochry, the Scottish Cranog Center and the Culloden Battlefield were just some of the places the group visited, as well as exploring the beautiful Glen Lyon, where the camp was situated. The camp returned to Bearsden to an Independance Day Ceilidh at the BB Hall, which was enjoyed by all.