The Glasgow Stedfast Association

Information

The Association offers a warm welcome to new and existing members. Anyone with an interest in continuing support for The Boys’ Brigade, whether ex–member or not, will find enjoyment and friendship within our membership.

We have arranged an exciting and varied programme of events, spread over the next twelve months, from a few interesting talks to outings and tours, including a conducted tour of Glasgow Cathedral, and another chance to enjoy our historic walk round the founding and historic area of The Brigade in Glasgow’s West end. Visit the events page to view this session's programme.

To find out more about the Association, you can contact any member of our Committee, the membership fee is £12.00.

John Cooper

It is with very sad hearts we let you know that John Cooper our archivist and LINK editor passed away on Sunday 19 February 2023 after a long and courageous battle against pancreatic cancer.

John's contribution to the work of Glasgow Battalion and the Glasgow Stedfast Association is unprecedented within the BB movement. He had amassed the most amazing archive covering brass band work, camping exploits, uniforms, badges, programmes of major BB events and literature over a period of some 45 years. His activities were not confined to Glasgow but were world wide with very strong links in Australia and New Zealand and in particular with Keith Young in Brisbane with whom he had a close working BB connection. The number of booklets and leaflets he has written on the history of the Founder and of the development of the BB since its birth in 1883 was very important to John who was keen that the present generation of BB Boys knew and understood what previous generations had done to promote the Object of the BB and the ideals of our Founder. They had to understand what the very first uniformed youth organisation had done for Glasgow, the UK and World Wide during the 140 years of our existence and to thank previous generations of men and women who had carried Sir William Smith's vision forward to successive generations of Boys (and now Girls).

Most notable among John's achievements was his leadership in promoting Brass Band work within Glasgow Battalion as leader and conductor of the Central Band and his meticulous organising skills brought to bear with the Scottish Bands Committee who owe him a great debt of gratitude for all his hard work.

For John all pain and suffering is now over as he is at rest with his Lord and Master. To Heather his wife, his daughters and grandchildren we offer our deepest sympathy at their loss and assure them they are in our thoughts and prayers, as we give thanks for all that John did during his very full life and his commitment to The Boys' Brigade.

Visit To Oban

17 Members enjoyed a day trip to Oban on 18th August 2022. We met there with our Vice President and his son Neil (who was a member of the 5th Glasgow Boys' Brigade Company) at Poppies Restaurant and Garden Centre which overlooks Dunstaffnage Marina. We all enjoyed an excellent lunch at Poppies.

After lunch, we made our way to Dunollie Castle and Museum in Oban where we met the Castle guide. He was also a former member of the 5th Glasgow Boys' Brigade Company. He explained that the main house is still a private residence owned by Clan MacDougall's 31 st Clan Chief, Madam Morag MacDougall. The view from the Castle over the Firth of Lorn was amazing, despite it being a bit overcast.

Some members opted to visit McCaig's Folly and the War Museum and Bill & Jessie Tennant enjoyed an afternoon looking around the shops in Oban.

We all met up again in Oban for refreshments before our journey home.

We all agreed it was a pleasant and enjoyable day.

BBC Scotland Visit

Our Association invaded BBC Scottish Headquarters on Saturday 11th November for a most enjoyable tour. Some 22 of our members, representing a record turnout, had a fascinating and well led visit, exploring the magic of news and programme production. The Scottish Headquarters of the broadcaster is a vast and fascinating building, most impressive architecturaly and technically and is well worth a visit.

Our guide for the afternoon was delightfully helpful and the technical description of news and weather forecast programming by the chief weather forecaster was intriguing and informative.

As can be seen from the accompanying pictures, Member Betty White tried to usurp the news reading job of Jackie Bird, and while she was well supported by our Members, it was not to be. Again, a job well done by our events organisers, Bill and Irene.