The 1st Bearsden Boys’ Brigade company landed a double success in the spring, winning two national competitions.
First a team from the company won the UK-wide Brigade chess competition. The team of three – John McEwan, Alistair Ramsey and Fergus Hempel – had made it through the regional heats and in the finals, at Middle Parish Church Halls in Coatbridge, they fought off competition from Brigades in Edinburgh, Ardshaw and Cheslyn Hall.
Two weeks later, two of the chess team – John and Fergus – along with Greg Wood and Ross Brown travelled to Belfast for the final of the national quiz tournament, Masterteam. One of six teams taking part (including 1st Polmont), they answered questions on general and biblical knowledge, famous landmarks, history and famous faces to carry off the trophy.