Nairn Provost retires from Boys Brigade after more than 50 years with the organisation
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MEMBERS of Nairn Boys Brigade took part in a special ceremony to mark a significant retirement.
Provost Laurie Fraser had spent almost his entire life being involved with the youth group, including two decades as company captain.
A service at Nairn Parish Church saw members of the group gather to celebrate his efforts as he gave up the role.
Mr Fraser, also Highland councillor for the Nairn and Cawdor ward, said: “I’ve enjoyed all my time, but it was the right time to retire.
“I went all over the place – when I went to London, I joined the company there.
“I made some great friends in the Boys’ Brigade.
“It sets you up for life.”
His second in command, Lieutenant Mike Harris, said: “We got on extremely well and worked on various projects all over the years.
“His experience at a managerial level, as provost and as councillor were very useful over the years.
“Over the past 20 years, the Brigade has changed a lot. About eight years ago our company started accepting girls – when we changed our name to Boys’ Brigade & Girls’ Association. At the service, we had more girls than boys.
“The company sections were much bigger and we had around 50 members in total. Members then started dwindling a bit and then Covid came and unfortunately, because we were not meeting any more, when we started again in August last year the company strength was five. Today we have around 20 people.”
The Brigade is now looking for a new captain to help attract more members to the group.
“It can be as much or as little as you make it, it’s all volunteering,” Lt Harris said. “One of the barriers is the process to be registered and approved to work with children, and the process has a number of hiccup points and it might take a few months before someone is approved. It’s not onerous, but it can be a bit time consuming, ad once it’s done it’s done.”
Mr Fraser commented that he was hopeful the roles will be filled soon and more people will join in.
