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| Its all go….. |
| The summer may be over, but the new BB session is just getting started.2025-2026 session is already looking to be a busy one with many Activities, Events and Training sessions already scheduled on the Battalion Calendars, good news for everyone. This, does mean an abundance of information coming your way all at the same time, some that unfortunately, do have closing dates within the coming 2 -4 weeks! However, to make it easier for you, the 2 sections (immediately below) provides:a quick glance breakdown of the printable calendars which are available on our website |
| Calendar of Events |
| 2025 8 September – Activities Meeting 25 October – AS Spooky Craft Day 26 October – CS Table Tennis 21 November – CS PT Event 25 November – Executive Meeting 30 November – JS Superstar Event 13 December – AS/JS Panto Visit 8 December – CS/Seniors Meal 2026 TBC February – AS Soft Play Day 13 February – JS Airhop Sleepover 27 February – CS Residential Camp TBC March – JS Easter Story 16 – 22 March – CS NCO Drill 2 May (TBC) – Beating Retreat TBC May – AS/JS Outing 17 May – Guard of Honour TBC May – Battalion Council AGM TBC June – CS Outing |
| Battalion Training Dates |
| 2025 25 October – YLT Part 1 2 November – Building Your Skills 22 November – YLT Part 2 29 November – Safeguarding & Managing Risk Modules 29 November – Holiday Leadership 2026 10 January – Safeguarding & Managing Risk Modules 17 January – Building Your Skills 24 January – Company Management 25 February – Basic Expedition (theory) 4 March – Basic Expedition Part 2 11 March – Basic Expedition Part 3 28 March – Campcraft |
| Battalion Funding Opportunities |
| £100 Company Support The attached application form should be completed and returned to: finance@thebb-edinburgh.org.uk for each request. As in previous years £100 can be claimed for Company Support towards recruitment and/or other Company activities in addition to the other funds available. Details of the various funds available are listed on the reverse of the application form. “Making A Difference” financial assistance To apply for Making A Difference funding please complete the online application via the following link: https://form.jotform.com/250202894426051 Please also read the attached Making A Difference Fund Grant application guidance notes Note: Applications will be assessed quarterly, with deadlines for applications: 30th September, 31st December, 31st March; and 1st June (to allow processing by 30th June). We are extremely fortunate that the above funds are there to assist Companies and should be treated as additional to fundraising carried out at local Company level. |
| Battalion Subscriptions |
| Battalion Subscriptions / Annual Return With effect session 2025/26 the Battalion will no longer charge Companies an annual Battalion Subscription fee. Membership numbers In order to maintain accurate records of membership. Companies will be asked to provide Youth numbers for each section; Anchors, Juniors, Company/Seniors during October/November 2025, along with details of Leader numbers. |
| Battalion Chaplain Vacancy |
| Following the departure of Rev David Scott over the summer as he moved on to pastures new, the Battalion now has a vacancy for the role of Chaplain. This is an important and valued role within our Battalion, offering pastoral support, spiritual guidance, and encouragement across our companies and activities. The role outline is given below, but we are happy to adapt responsibilities to suit your availability and time commitments. If you are interested, please email the Battalion Office with a note of interest. |
| Upcoming Training – Registrations Closing Soon |
| Youth Leader Training Part 1 & 2 |
 This 2 day course will take place on 25 October & 22 November at Davidsons Mains Parish Church Halls Youth Leader Training will enable participants to deliver the BB mission by equipping them with the skills, knowledge and attitudes to work effectively with children and young people. The main theme of Youth Leader Training is the building and maintaining of trusting relationships with children and young people. From this basis flow the other aspects of Christian youth work; sharing faith, safe working practices, participation and empowerment and equal opportunities. There are modules covering all these issues within Youth Leader Training. Participants will be required to have completed the Managing Risk & Safeguarding e-learning modules before attending the course and must attend both sessions to complete the course. YLT Registration form is available hereAll Registration forms must be received no later than 12th October 2025. (All courses are subject to cancellation if the minimum number of 6 participants is not reached) |
| Building Your Skills |
The first of the Building Yours Skills sessions takes place on Sunday 2nd November 2025 in Lanthorn Centre, Livingston from 1pm – 5pm.This course is for young people who are working towards their President’s Badge. The course is open to young people in Year 1 of the Seniors age group, or older, working towards the President’s Badge or any young person, who would benefit from developing and building on their teamwork and negotiating skills. The aim of this course is for young people to develop the skills to work cooperatively with others, to help make a difference in their life and in their Company. The course is free of charge, participants should come dressed casually, ready for physical activity and teamwork. A water bottle is recommended, though there is a vending machine on site. Building Your Skills Registration Form All Registration forms must be received no later than 19th October 2025. (All courses are subject to cancellation if the minimum number of 6 participants is not reached) |
| Upcoming Events and Registrations Closing Soon |
| Anchors Spook-tacular Crafts & Story Time |
| Come and join in the Spook-tacular afternoon of crafts, games and story time on Saturday 25th October between 2.30pm & 4pm at Pollock Pavilion. Anchors joining in the fangtastic get together must bring one Company Leader along with them to help hand out the refreshments! AS Spooky Craft DayIf your Anchor members would like to attend please let us know by 10th October, to ensure the correct number of crafting supplies are available.  |
| CS PT Event |
| The PT Competition (Fraser Shield of old) is a circuit-based physical fitness event designed to test participants’ endurance, strength, agility, and discipline. This traditional Boys’ Brigade activity, run across many Battalions for decades, is being reintroduced following its suspension during the COVID period. When: 21st November 2025 Where: Penicuik North Kirk Hosted by: 48th Edinburgh Company  – Starting times for each team will be advised prior to the event – Each team to consist of 6 Company Sections members of any age – Companies are welcome to submit joint teams – Each participant will perform 6 exercises for 30 seconds each. Exercise details attached on separate forms – An Individual event will be run in conjunction to the team event – Team members will automatically be entered into the Individuals event. – Where individuals are not in a team please ensure the entry form is submitted per individual this will ensure that time slots are allocated correctly for the duration of the event By reinstating the PT Competition, the Battalion provides youths with the opportunity to challenge themselves physically, build confidence, and take pride in representing their Company. Please return the Participation slip CS PT by: Sunday 12th October 2025 Timings will be confirmed upon receipt of numbers entered |
| AS & JS Christmas Pantomime Outing |
 We are thrilled to announce an exciting visit to see Beauty and the Beast! At Portobello Town Hall on Saturday 13th December.This much-loved fairy tale will be brought to life on stage with plenty of songs, laughter, and pantomime fun. Children will be enchanted by the magical story, colourful costumes, and lots of audience participation.Be prepared for giggles, gasps, and maybe even a “He’s behind you!” or two… As all tickets require to be booked in advance please submit your company requests for ticket allocations no later than 31st October 2025. AS/JS Panto Entry Form As a subsidised event the ticket price will be £5pp only. |
| CS & Seniors Christmas Meal |
 Where else can accommodate a group sitting of over 140 youths and leaders all at the same time and provide a world wide array of options, aswell as satisfy the endless appetites of teenagers? So, back by demand a return to Cosmo Edinburgh is currently being planned for the CS & Seniors Christmas meal once again, on the evening of Monday 8th December 2025. As as subsidised event, the cost for meal and bottomless soft drinks will be reduced to £15pp To book your seats at the table return your numbers no later than 31st October CS/Seniors Meal |
| Juniors Sleepover |
 Entry Form & More DetailsJS Airhop Sleepover Spaces are limited to 100 Juniors – to secure spaces for your Company Entry forms must be submitted to the Battalion Office by 24th October 2025. Arrive: 13th February 7:30pmDepart: 14th February 9:00amCost: £25-£35 PP (tbc) Get ready for the ultimate overnight adventure at AirHop Adventure & Trampoline Park, Musselburgh. Join us for a night packed with excitement, energy, and unforgettable fun.What’s included:Wall-to-wall trampolinesGiant airbags & tumble tracksBattle beams & wipeoutExtreme slides & inflatablesPizza feast & unlimited squashMovie nightOvernight stay with breakfast includedEvent is subject to close early if the capacity is reached. A waiting list will operate thereafter. |
| CS Whithaugh Park Residential Weekend |
| As part of the MAD Campaign, the Battalion are delighted to be subsidising a 2-night residential stay for our Company Section Members at Rock UK, Whithaugh Park. This exciting opportunity is open to 20 youths only, with a maximum of 4 youths + 1 leader per company entry. Places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and confirmed upon receipt of entry.  Cost: £100 per youth Venue: Rock UK, Whithaugh Park Duration: 2 nights – Friday 27th February – Sunday 1st March 2026 Don’t miss out on this fantastic adventure – spaces are limited, so get your entries in quickly! Closing date for entries will be Friday 24th October (or earlier if capacity booking has been reached) CS Residential Camp Entry Form |
| Junior Section Superstar |
| 30th November 2025Portobello & Joppa Parish Church A competition involving skill, endurance, fitness & mental agility, open to all Junior Section Members. Participants will be challenged in a mix of tasks & activities as they compete against other Battalion members to win the title of EL&D Battalion Junior Superstar 2025. Full details and the entry form are on the link JS Superstar Event  |
| Other Battalion News |
| Company Support and Resources |
| All Companies are invited to contact the office providing details of their requests for Company Support and or advertising needs specific to their company. In addition requests can be made to the Battalion Office Staff for assistance in providing/printing any flyers, leaflets or other recruitment resources, all of which can be tailored to include individual company details. New railing banners have already been provided to a number of Companies within the Battalion, should you have missed this communication prior to the end of last session, further Banner printing may be considered. Chocolate Films Adverts the Battalion Executive would also like to remind everyone the short social media recruitment adverts are still available for use by the Battalion. As these are MP4 files, we cannot include these on the Newsletter however they can be shared upon request to any leader who requires a new copies for downloading. And of course, if you have new ideas or a wonderful out the box recruitment option, we would be delighted to hear them and support or implement these where possible. |
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