Invitations for our upcoming Centenary Civic Reception will be emailed to members this week.
Postal invites will go to those members who have no email facility.
To enable us to manage the numbers we urge you to reply to your official invite as soon as you receive it.
Keep an eye on your emails!
Sorry to advise that one of the 214 stalwarts…. Allister Osborne passed away on Tuesday 18th June 2024 at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow.
Ally (84) had been housebound over the last few years.
I had contact with him doing various jobs for him and he was always asking how the 214 boys were doing.
He served as Captain in the Company from 1965-1967.
Ally was always involved with the 214 as a young boy, Officer, (Band Officer), Captain and was a long serving Ex Member on the Association’s Committee.
He also was an Officer along with Willie Inglis with the Company Lifeboys.
Ally in his work life was a Head Teacher of Ruchill Primary School.
Youth Hosteling was also a big part of his life and he served as Glasgow Secretary of the Scottish Youth Hosteling Association.
I’m sure we all remember Ally’s father Hugh who always played the piano at the Annual Inspections, with his Labrador by his side.
Ally was Rev Harry L. Thomson’s nephew. (His Mother was Harry’s sister in law)
The funeral will be held on Tuesday 2nd July – 1.30pm at Craigton Crematorium, Berryknowes Road, Cardonald, Glasgow.
As always I’m sure there will be many a 214BB tie on show for one of the Company’s loyal servants.
Just a quick reminder ….
Can you please reply to the emails that were sent out last week?
Thank you to those that have replied.
We need to clarify numbers asap.
Many thanks.
Details have been emailed out regarding our upcoming informal get together, on Friday 8th March 2024 at Tennents Brewery. (The Civic reception on 4th October is replacing this years reunion).
Ex Members should have received these today, unless you have changed your email address and have forgotten to update us with the new details.
If anyone has not received an email can they please email the secretary or use the website contact form.
Please pass on the details to anyone who you know does not have access to email or website.
Sorry for the lack of updates lately but I have been rather busy.
Here are some things that I think will be of interest to you all.
50 years ago
I received this from Ally Hunter last week, a cutting from the Glasgow Herald.
I’m sure this brings back great memories of the 214’s big 50th Anniversary night back in 1974.
Centenary year 2024
March 8th 2024 (not the reunion)
We will be letting you know soon about an upcoming informal get together evening at the Tennent Caledonia Brewery in Glasgow.
October 4th 2024 (Civic Reception/ Reunion)
With only 8 months to go, plans are underway for our evening of celebration.
Formal invites to ex members for this event will be sent 6/7 weeks prior to the evening.
214 Bagpipes
We currently have 2 full sets of pipes and one half set of pipes being assessed and refurbished.
Our thanks go to Kenny MacLeod & Stuart McCallum at McCallum Bagpipes for their support in this project.
Once ready we hope to lend these pipes to BB Companies for teaching purposes.
Currently there is another half set out on loan to Renfrew North Parish Church.
We have other projects we are working on to continue the 214 name.
Things you come across
I received an email from Alex….
“I’ve got an exhibition of my poster prints at the new gallery 174 Dorchester Avenue, Kelvindale, Glasgow.
It is running from Friday 8th Dec 5-8pm till Saturday 9th Dec 12-5pm and thereafter till the end of the year.
These prints are scenes of Glasgow with a particular and unique perspective.
I think they could be of interest to the members. I’ll attach an example.
Alex Robertson.”
I‘m sure if any ex-members are available it would be worth a trip along for a look.
Well done Alex.
Sorry to report that Eddie Thomson (77) has passed away on Tuesday the 21st November 2023.
Eddie was the 214 Bass drummer during the late 50’s early 60’s.
Eddie was well known in Bowling circles.
A member at Victoria Park Bowling Club he was club champion in 1981, 1983, 1992 & 1995.
The funeral is to be held at Clydebank Crematorium (Dalnottar) on Wednesday 6th December at 2.30pm.
Eddie on the right with tenor drum (pic 107)
We all send our condolences to Eddie’s family at this sad time.
Andy’s funeral arrangements are as follows:
Friday 1st December at 3.30pm
Dalnottar Crematorium.
Thereafter at Ingliston Country Club, Old Greenock Road, Bishopton PA7 5PA.
(I’m sure there will be a few 214 ties on display.)
It is with great sadness that we have to advise our ex-members of the passing of Andy Hosie, just short of his 83rd birthday.
Andy played with the 214BB pipe band from 1953 till 1958 and was leading drummer of the World Juvenile Championship Band in 1957.
He continued playing, after leaving the 214, with the Red Hackle Pipe Band and Renfrew Pipe Band, becoming leading drummer of the Renfrew in 1961.
The Renfrew Pipe Band Drum Corps, under Andy’s leadership, won the World and British Drum Corps titles in 1965 and he was runner-up in the World Solo Drumming Championship in 1963. He was arguably the most exciting and innovative drummer to come out of the 214.
Andy retired from the pipe band movement in 1965, at the top of the tree, to pursue a career with British Airways. His drumming career was short but spectacular and could have been prolonged if he had taken up the offer to go down to London and become involved in the drum session scene.
When he left British Airways, Andy went on to work with Loch Lomond Golf Club, taking care of celebrities and high-profile guests.
Andy passed away on 19th November 2023 after a lengthy illness and is survived by Mary, his wife of 58 years, and daughter Debbie.
Our condolences go to Mary and her family.
Further information on funeral arrangements will be posted in due course.
This photo can be found on the website in the Band Album…… no (30)
Andy was the Leading Drummer of this 1957 Juvenile World Championship winning band.
Front Row (left to right) Ian McLellan, Hugh Davidson, Jimmy Wright, Lawson Callaghan, Jim Hamilton, Frank Hopson, Gordon McIntyre, Rab Wallace, Rab Little
Middle Row Alex McIver, Andy Hosie, Joe Noble, Robin Hunter, Dougie Law, George Robertson, Alec Ibell
Back Row Alex Rae, Gordon Ferguson, Charlie Grindley
