THE historic 2nd Gourock Company of the Boys' Brigade are to close their 125th anniversary celebrations with a grand charity ball.

The event will be held in Greenock Town Hall on Saturday September 9.

It will be hosted by well known compère Des McKeown, with music provided by local band Revel Sparks.

Guests will be serenaded by Stedfast Silver Band and there will be an auction and raffle.

The 2nd Gourock is one of the oldest remaining Brigade Companies in the world and during the 125th celebrations a whole host of successful events have taken place, including an Old Boys Reunion Dinner.

There was also a parade and church service at St John’s, with Inverclyde & District Battalion marching through the streets of Gourock, and trips to Dalguise Outdoor centre, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, a visit to Goodison Park, home of Everton FC, the Lake District and a weekend trip with Ocean Youth Trust on one of their training vessels.

Company Captain Alan Aitken MBE said: "It has been a really busy and exciting year of celebrations for the 2nd Gourock family.

"We’ve tried to ensure that past and current members were involved in the celebrations to act as an encouragement for those yet to join us as the Company moves forward into the future."

Greenock Telegraph:

The Company was founded in March 1898 by Captain John Stewart who moved to the town from Glasgow, where he'd served as an officer with the Brigade founder Sir William Alexander Smith.

2nd Gourock are one of only a few BB companies who wear the kilt as part of their formal uniform.

The boys of the Company and Senior sections proudly wear the Smith Ancient tartan in recognition of the Brigade founder.

The Company are proud members of the St John’s Church family and have supported the Gourock community down through the years.

Alan said: "We may be one of the oldest BB companies in existence but we very much have a modern outlook in the activities and programme of events which our young people enjoy.

"As our celebrations come to a close our Charity Ball will be a fitting finale.

"We were very keen to recognise organisations and charities close to our hearts as beneficiaries from the Ball and have chosen Junior Diabetes Research Fund (JDRF) , Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity and Alzheimer Scotland Greenock.

"This event will be a very personal one for members of the Company past and present.”

Tickets priced £50 are still available and can be purchased by contacting Alan at alanandrewaitken@gmail.com or on 07557102744. The Ball is open to all.

The Company would like to thank all of its sponsors for donations to both the auction and raffle and would be delighted to hear from any local businesses who would like to get involved to support the work of their chosen charities.