(Originally from my journal 28/08/2007)
Hawick Corps is currently sojourning across the river in Wilton parish. We’ve been loaned their Boys Brigade Chapel whilst our hall is rewired and receives new toilets. Our hall was built in the early sixties after the Wee The’ picture house which used to occupy the site was destroyed by fire. It’s a very pleasant building, but the facilities certainly needed updating. Wilton parish church has been very generous in providing facilities but when we came to bury our Number one Soldier for the fourth time, we thought the chapel would be too small and the church too big.
Teviot Church at the other end of town came to the rescue. It was a little strange standing on the steps to the altar (Church of Scotland not Anglican) and looking out at over two hundred people in _pews_. In the end, it enhanced rather than detracted from our Salvation Army style funeral. Dare I even say, it was probably better than it would have been in our hall.
Straight from the buffet in the Buccleuch to Beattie’s funeral parlour (only next door) for funeral number two. An hour after leaving, we were back for a second instalment of Phil’s sausage rolls and tea. All in all, the day went well but I wouldn’t want to repeat it in a hurry.
