Buckie BB dedicated duo help teach lessons fit for life
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HELPING send generations of boys on the right path has all been part of the service for two Buckie Boys’ Brigade officers.
Husband and wife team Grant and Catherine Stewart have between them amassed an incredible century of service to the 1st Buckie Company BB.
Over the years Grant has been heavily involved with the Company side of things while Catherine, along with Jenny McIntosh, set up what is now the Anchor Boys section back in 1978.
Little did Grant guess when he joined up in 1962 he would still be in the Company 58 years later.
He said: “Some of the boys I was palling about with at the time were all in the BBs so one day I basically went along with them and joined up.
“It’s certainly not something I ever regretted although it’s incredible to think I’ve done so many years with 1st Company.
“There was a lot of camaraderie among us as boys but there was a competitive side, too.
"I did a lot of sport including football and table tennis, and I ran marathons as well.
"The sporting side was very important to me but I think one of the main things I took away from the Boys’ Brigade was the discipline it helped instil in me.
"That's something I've taken away with me for the rest of my life.
“I suppose becoming a BB officer was basically a natural transition.”
Having benefited from it himself as a youngster, working to help boys learn lessons and develop character to serve them well throughout their lives has been a major source of satisfaction for Grant.
“Discipline was something I took forward into my adult life and it’s something kids need these days, too,” Grant continued.
“Our approach here at 1st Company must strike a chord with the boys and their parents.
"We must be doing something right as the numbers we have speak for themselves. We’re the biggest Company in the UK, which is quite something for a place the size of Buckie.
“Over the years I’ve seen young lads going through the ranks and then sending their kids through, some becoming officers themselves.
“It’s very satisfying seeing all these laddies down the years starting off as Anchor Boys and going right through to getting their Queen’s Badge. It teaches them lessons for life, which is a privilege to be part of.”
Giving the youngest members of the BB family the best of starts helped spur on Catherine, along with Jenny, to add what is now known as the Anchor Boys to the Company and Junior sections.
It was a time when other young people’s organisations, most notably the Scouts in the local area, were taking on boys at a younger age.
She said: “Jenny and I were starting from scratch, we had a total of 13 kids at our first meeting.
“I actually used to be involved with the local Brownies, but Grant converted me to the Boys' Brigade!
"It did provide me with a lot of useful experience when it came to setting up the Anchor Boys with Jenny, though
“The Anchor Boys have grown a lot over the years – we’ve got around 60 now.
“One of the most important things it’s taught me is that you have to be organised.
"Over the years we’ve adopted a varied programme for the boys which has adapted as time has gone on.
"The aim is to cater for different needs and interests.
“As society changed we’ve had to changed with it which I think is one of the big reasons for our ongoing success and popularity.
“Having done this for over 30 years boys come through, grow up and in time become dads themselves who then send their boys to BB.
“It’s also great when you’re out and about and you meet folk who are either at the BBs or are previous ones.”
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