. NEWS PAGE ( updated 26th September 2008 )

This is where we'll announce the most recent additions to our web site, and keep you up-to-date with all the goings on!

GRAND BOYS IN BUCHLYVIE FOR HOGMANAY

See in the New Year with The Grand Boys at The Buchlyvie Inn, Buchlyvie, Stirlingshire. It's only 20 minutes from Stirling and looks to be a great night out. This will be the band's first visit to the village. Contact Sean at the Buchlyvie Inn on 01360 850058 to book tickets at £15.00 each which includes light buffet.

GRAND BOYS ALONG WITH ' CHRISTIAN '

A ladies Night has been organised by Sheena in the Alva Masonic on Friday 7th November. Along with The Grand Boys, popular caberet singer ' Christian ' will be performing too. Tickets cost £10.00 and are available from Sheena on 01259217302.

OVER £12,000 HAS BEEN RAISED THIS YEAR

The Grand Boys would like to thank everyone who has helped in 2008 to raise this tremendous amount of money and we're just going into September ! Numerous charities and worthy causes will benifit this year when it will be handed over at the end of the year in The Grand Boys Shop. The date has still to be arranged. Thankyou.

GRAND BOYS LIVE IN AMIGOS ALVA (Sat. 27th September 08 )

This is a very popular venue in Alva, Clackmannonshire. We would like to thank Trev for inviting us and hopefully we can put on a good show again for his regulars and visitors and lift the roof of the place (not literally) All welcome.

CHEQUE PRESENTATIONS 15th DECEMBER 2007

A total of £9,500 was presented to various charities and worthy causes at The Grand Boys Shop on the 15th December 2007. This was a special Open Day and a great crowd attended. Music was provided by The Grand Boys and a joint choir performance by St Mary's Primary School and Bannockburn Primary School. The event started at 12 midday to 9pm. A licenced bar was provided along with tea/coffee & sandwiches. The cheques were presented between 1.00 - 2.00pm and all the charities attended to recieve their cheques. It was a very successful day and it really makes it all worthwhile. All this money has been collected over 2007 from The Grand Boys Shop, Band and general donations. A big thank you to all who are giving their time to help others. The beneficiaries were;

Downs syndrome ( Scotland ) - £1,000

Strathcarron Hospice - £1,000

Metabolic Activities Fund, Yorkhill Hospital - £1,000

Cardio Thoratic Dept, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary - £1,000

Breast Cancer Care Scotland - £1,000

Stirling Royal Infirmary Ward 16 - £1,000

Forth Valley Disability Sports - £1,000

Canavan Brothers Fund - £1,000

St Mary's Primary School - £500

Bannockburn Primary School - £500

Five Nursing Homes in the area Christmas Party Treats £100 each.

 

WORLD RECORD BREAKERS

LONGEST CONCERT BY A BAND 20th - 22nd February 2004

We are now official World Record Breakers. The Grand Boys are now entered into the famous Guinness Book of Records 2006 (page 172), they have even put our photo in ! Our official time was 42 hours 38mins.These following names will go down in Grand Boys folklore : Young Bob Kelly guitarist, vocalist, whistle player, keyboarder (is it a word), trumpeter it was this guy's idea to go for the record and we all obliged. Adrian Robertson, guitarist, vocalist with smoochie songs (bum grabbers) his speciality could be classed as a Grand Boys' veteran now! Allan Stewart, drummer and has banged a few drums for the band over the years. Allan Marshall, guitarist and more recently sax , a relatively newcomer to the band but very much a dark horse, was there at the end of the marathon gig. Bobby Kelly (daddy Bob) guitarist, vocalist, a real pro with bags of experience and talent, in line for player of the year 2006! Paul Bromley, drums, the only Englishman to take part and ended up singing Flower of Scotland at the finish, lives up to the reputation that drummers are a race apart. John Griffin, guitarist, vocalist, plays a bit bodhran and still learning from the talent around him, enjoys a guinness or two, the only origonal Grand Boy left. Colin Sinclair,accordion, this man's a genius on the box and always plays with a smile on his face. We all had very sore fingers and very weak voices after the effort but it was a great experience.

Of course these were the guys who did it but no way could it have been done without the help from so many people: organisers, witnesses, doctors, supporters, sponsors, Smith's Restaurant and staff. We really appreciated all this help that we received. We raised around £5000

Click here for pictures from the record attempt

 

GRAND BOYS WIN MAJOR GRANT AWARDS in 2005

Stirling Council

The great news for all involved with The Grand Boys is our successful bids for three grants in 2005. Our first grant was £15,000 from Stirling Council Local Community Fund for to purchase a brand new van. We are now proud owners of a Peugeot Boxer van and it is making a big big difference to our used furniture uplifting/delivery service and also to our band equipment transportation for charity gigs. We would like to thank Stirling Council for this massive grant award.

..Increase Programme ( Scottish Excecutive )

We were also successful in a major grant award of £30,000 from The Scottish Executive Increase Programme to have our Furniture Recycling Centre in Bannockburn totally refurbished. The shop was in very poor condition to the point of closing down. The works began in October 2005 and should re open sometime in April 2006. This date will be announced soon. The shop has been transformed inside and outside and should show a big increase in income and volunteers when it is up and going again. A pitched roof was fitted along with blocks and roughcast, a new disabled access was constructed along with new white security doors. Inside, heating was installed,three skylights, new interior doors, new flush downlights and new band practice area. We would also like to thank Increase Programme for this award which will make a big difference to many peoples lives.

..Awards for All (Lottery)

The third grant success came from the Awards for All (Lottery). We were awarded £5,000 to refit our kitchen/workshop area in the shop, complete interior decor,new signage for shop,footpaths and landscaping. A big thankyou for this grant which will make a big difference to our shop.

.Finally we would like to thank Pauline Douglas, Grants Officer at Stirling Council for helping us with the grant application forms as she played a big part in our successful bids.

THE GRAND BOYS FURNITURE RECYCLING CENTRE

The Shop is doing really well and is attracting visitors from all over. Why bin your furniture when it can be used by other people. Donate any unwanted furniture and household items to shop and we raise money from the sale of your goods. Its simple and very effective. We currently have six volunteers in the shop who keep the shop open on a rota. Opening hours are Mon - Frid 10.00am - 3.00pm Sat. 10.00am - 2.00pm Sun. 12.00am - 3.00pm. Shop tel. no. 01786 810868. .

 

ORGANIZED KHAOS

We are all local lads from Bannockburn and we guest at Grand Boys' gigs. we also perform our own gigs. The four of us are in the age group of 14 to 17 years old. If you are interested in Punk music give us a call on 01786 489106, and we will be happy to kick some life into your party. Our big claim to fame to date was playing at Glasgow's Barrowlands at a National Battle of the Bands competition in 2003. We came third out of 250 bands. We have made a few demos and are currently recording one at The Tollbooth Theatre in Stirling. This was top prize for winning a local Battle of the Bands compitition in Stirling Albert Halls in 1stMarch 2006.

Grand Boys Beneficiaries

The Grand Boys now donate to various worthy causes.  Click on "Causes" for info.

 

THE GRAND BOYS BAND

2007 has been a very successful year for the Band and we have played at very enjoyable gigs. The members are all very talented musicions who give their time to entertain others and raise money. They are; John Wardynec on drums, Bob Kelly on vocals, guitar.bass,keyboard (and others) Colin Sinclair on accordion, John Griffin on vocals & guitar, Bobby Kelly on vocals and lead guitar, Allan Marshall on guitar and Adrian Robertson on vocals bass and guitar.

 

 

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Any news items that i've missed please contact me John Griffin at grandboys@hotmail.co.uk