Tragic loss of young officer

To hear of a death is always an occasion of sadness, but the passing of young officer, Jamie McLean, as a result of an industrial accident, has touched many in the battalion particularly those in 7th Falkirk (St James' Church), where his whole family are involved and his father captain. As Christians, we as members, offer our prayers for all such affected at this time, particularly keeping the immediate family in our thoughts. Life, as it always does, goes on and so we would want it to be.

On January 23, Junior Section boys from nine sections took part in the battalion five-a-side competition. Two teams from 1st Larbert (West Church) and from 3rd Falkirk (People’s Church) and 8thFalkirk (Bainsford Church), competed and that led to an all 1st Larbert final with their ‘A’ team winning 2-0. 8th Falkirk won the play-off for third place. Particular thanks to the referees, Blair McLuckie and Calum Rankine and timekeeper Ian Huntleywho kept everything on track within a very tight time schedule. I’m told the noise generated by the parents, officers and supporters in the games hall probably exceeded that on the terraces at nearby Ochilview.

National table tennis champions 1st Grangemouth (Abbotsgrange Church) march on in this year’s competition but its teams have now been drawn together. Whilst this guarantees a team in the next round, they may well feel, as both teams are doing so well, ‘what might have been’. Other similarly dual teams have variously been drawn together and apart.Arrangements are now well in hand for the Battalion hosting the BB national five-a-side Football in Grangemouth on April 30 but volunteers to assist on the day are still required; any should contact Battalion President Daniel Green, prior to next meeting on February 11.