DOZENS of Junior Section Boys’ Brigade (BB) members from across Stirling and Clackmannanshire have been enjoying a series of inspirational events locally and nationally in the last two weeks.

The BB’s "middle" age group, which covers P4-P6 in seven locations around the area, has an action-packed programme every week, but the special events are often a bigger reason that boys keep on joining the 132-year-old organisation.

On Friday, November 13, more than 400 boys from across Scotland – including boys from St Ninians, Stirling, Dunblane, Clackmannan and Bridge of Allan, converged on Glasgow Science Centre for a "Sleepover", at which boys were allowed free rein on all the museum’s exhibits and experiments.

They found out the true meaning of "awesome" in the planetarium, discovering constellations, planets and getting a sense of the enormity of the universe, and loved the science shows about the human body and digestive system. 

After hot chocolate and interactive evening devotions from Ian Paget from Scripture Union, it was apparently time for "bed" but, in reality, time to explore some more and eventually drift off with all sorts of mechanics, electronics, biology and energy all around. The BB hopes to continue this as an annual event.

This past weekend, 111 boys took over AMF Bowling in Stirling for their annual tenpin bowling competition. 

Everyone agreed it was great to see such a huge turnout, with six local companies represented. Boys had a chance to meet new friends and play together, and the winning lane in fact comprised boys from Stirling, Clackmannan and Dunblane.

On Sunday, BB boys received a special invitation to the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, where Badminton Scotland hosted the finals of the Scottish Open Grand Prix event, featuring many of the world’s top athletes in the sport. 

In the morning, boys took part in a series of badminton skills sessions in the middle of the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome – perhaps gaining some inspiration for that sport, too – and then had excellent seats to watch the men’s, women’s and doubles finals of the world-class event in the arena in the afternoon.

The Boys’ Brigade has Junior Sections (P4-P6) in Alloa, Bridge of Allan, Clackmannan, Dunblane, Stirling town centre, St Ninians and Tillicoultry. 

For more information, see stirlingbb.org.uk, call 01786 821387, or follow on social media at facebook.com/stirlingclacksbb or twitter.com/stirbattbb