Want to know where Bonnyrigg is ? Located just outside Edinburgh, it is the second largest town in Midlothian, serving mainly as a commuter town for Edinburgh. Click here for a map.

In the beginning . . . . . .

When Sir William Smith founded the 1st Glasgow in the Autumn of 1883, he laid down the foundation stone of a remarkable organisation, which, in the course of the last 100 years has influenced tens of thousands of Boys and Men alike. Now although the 51st can hardly claim to have influenced that many Boys, it certainly influences every Boy who passes through it, in one way or another.

The 51st was not, as many of you will know, the original title. It started life in 1946 as the 1st Bonnyrigg and was attached to Cockpen Church, with the first Company Captain being Gilbert Christie.

Records are a bit vague for that period, but it is known that the Company went about the business of training young men in the BB style, based as it is today on the twin pillars of Christianity and Discipline.

Bible Classes were held and Drill was performed. In fact, very little has changed on the outside although there has been vast changes in badge structure, uniform and even in title. We no longer have the Life-Boys, but we've gained an Anchor Section. However that's jumping forward a few years!

Jimmy Reid took over as Captain from Gib Christie in 1958, and the Company was re-registered as a Town Company - attached to all local Churches. He carried on as Captain until 1972, passing on the way some important landmarks in the Company's history.

The first ever BB Capers show staged by the Company was held in 1964. The now (in)famous, locally at least, concert has gone from strength to strength, with the 22nd BB Capers Show staged in 1999.

The Company Colours were dedicated in 1969 in Cockpen Church as the 1st Bonnyrigg, and in 1970 the Company joined the Edinburgh Battalion and changed its name to 51st Edinburgh (Bonnyrigg) Company, although the Colours have remained unchanged.

1971 saw the Company's Silver Jubilee, which for some reason was was celebrated in 1972 ! The years prior to this saw some hard work in fund raising toward the main event - a Jubilee Camp in France.

Session 1972-73 saw many changes with Jimmy Reid resigning as Captain after 14 years, and Dave Stewart stepped in.

However, things went on and the Company held its first outdoor expedition. An overnight camp was held and as the Company had no camping equipment at the time, the boys brought their own. What a disaster ! The tents had holes in them and the doors did not tie. Eventually polythene sheets were used to cover the tents and stones to hold down the guy ropes. However, the Boys still seemed to enjoy themselves !

1973 saw yet another change with Dave Stewart regretfully having to step down as Captain and Keith Leslie, who had only been with the Company a short time, was asked to take over.

The next 10 years saw major changes -

- the Company Section began participating in the Duke Of Edinburgh Award Scheme, with 11 Gold, 18 Silver, and 24 Bronze awards being attained in that time.

- the third section of the Company was started in Session 1978/79 by Jimmy Simpson, the Bonnyrigg Blues, which is of course now known as the Anchor Section.

- in 1979, the then South District of the Edinburgh Battalion held a Buffet Dance to recognise 50 Years Service in the Boys Brigade of Jimmy Spence.

- in 1982, the Company was honoured by the attendance of the Rt. Hon. Earl of Elgin and Kincardine, D.L., J.P., M.A., the then Brigade President, as Inspecting Officer at the Company Section Display.

1984 onwards

In 1984, the 51st were promoted to the first division for the annual Drill competition. This was a fair achievement for us, only to be surpassed by us winning it ! Shouts of "beginners luck" were silenced when we also came second the next year !!

The year 1984 was also tinged with sadness when one of our most revered officers and founder of BB Capers, Ross MacRae, passed away. He left a legacy that will never be forgotten by those who knew him.

The Edinburgh Battalion celebrated it's Centenary in 1986, and as usual, the 51st were at the forefront of the celebrations.

Things moved on, with the next major change being in 1991. This was the surprise resignation of Keith Leslie as both Company Captain and officer, due to ill health.

This left us without a Captain for just over two years, until Iain Anderson, a Lieutenant in the Company, stepped in and volunteered his services. This was unanimously accepted, and he was appointed Captain at our A.G.M in August 1993.

50 Years Young - and counting !

The 51st celebrated it's 50th birthday in 1996, with various events being held during the year to mark the occasion. A torchlight procession was held in October 1996 marking the beginning of the celebrations, which ended with the cutting of a very large cake ! Thanks went to Bonnyrigg & Lasswade Brass Band for providing the processional music, and to Colin Young (ex-member) for baking the cake.

Other events included a Re-Union Dinner with guest speakers; a "Social" dance; a Company Fun Day & Barbecue, held in Vogrie Country Park; and "Special" outings for each section.

Part of the Jubilee Celebrations saw the return of BB Capers in 1997, not held since 1992. Lots of hard work, but great fun !

Another new name . . . . . .

The title of the 51st Edinburgh (Bonnyrigg) Company lasted until 1998, when a merger between the Edinburgh Battalion and the Leith Battalion, created the Edinburgh Leith & District Battalion. At this point, the former Midlothian companies were given the option to revert to their previous company designations.

After a meeting and vote, the 51st decided to retain the "new" company number, but revert back to using the town name. This middle ground suited our needs, as none of the current staff were part of the company as the 1st Bonnyrigg, but we wanted to re-emphasise our town identity. Hence, the 51st Bonnyrigg Company was re-born.

2000 Onwards . . . . . .

And that brings us pretty much up to date.

We will be carrying on the traditions that the BB in Bonnyrigg has followed since 1946, albeit trying to keep up with the times with new activities and new uniforms. It is a challenge to us all to keep going, but we have survived over 50 years so far, so here's to at least the same again !

Derek Houliston
December 1999