In thIs Issue - The Boys' Brigade

THE OFFICIAL QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF THE BOYS’ BRIGADE 

In this issue 

> Brigade Council, Dublin 

> Volunteer 

Recruitment 

> Christingle 

Resources 

PLUS: Queen’s Badge Review 2008–2009 

Volume 117 No. 4 October 2009

The Boys’ Brigade 

Patron: H.M. The Queen 

President: Professor Sir Kenneth 

Calman KCB 

Brigade Secretary: Steve Dickinson 

Headquarters: Felden Lodge, 

Felden, Hemel Hempstead, 

Hertfordshire HP3 0BL 

Tel 01442 231681; Fax 01442 235391; 

Email: enquiries@boys-brigade.org.uk; 

Website: www.boys-brigade.org.uk 

Our Object 

The advancement of Christ’s Kingdom 

among boys and the promotion of habits 

of Obedience, Reverence, Discipline, 

Self-Respect and all that tends 

towards a true Christian Manliness. 

The Gazette 

The Gazette is the official publication 

of The Boys’ Brigade. Official notices 

to members appear under Brigade 

Announcements. Opinions expressed 

in any other articles are those of 

the author of the article and do not 

necessarily reflect Brigade policy. 

Design & Print 

Christian Publishing & Outreach, 

Garcia Estate, Canterbury Road, 

Worthing BN13 1BW; 

Telephone: 01903 264 556; 

Website: www.cpo.org.uk 

Editorial Team 

Mary Care, Steve Dickinson, Chris 

Norman, Jan Williamson 

Submission of copy 

All material submitted with a view to 

publication in the next issue of BB 

Gazette should be addressed to the 

Editor at Brigade Headquarters to 

arrive by 23rd October 2009. 

Small Advertisements 

Small Advertisements should be sent 

to BB Headquarters; 

email: gazette@boys-brigade.org.uk 

Display Advertisements 

Enquiries regarding display 

advertising space should be to 

Chris Norman: Tel 01442 288 552; 

Fax 01442 235391; 

Email gazette@boys-brigade.org.uk 

Scotland 

EDITORIAL 

Being the very best 

Striving to reach potential is a commendable personal quality. Working with 

young people to support them to be the very best is what thousands of BB volunteers 

do weekly. As I travel around it’s great to hear the gratitude of our young people for 

their leaders, “Mrs *** is great. If it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t be able to do this”. And 

one young man told me that it was only because of one particular leader that he was still 

in BB; an older leader who had persevered with him and didn’t give up even when there 

had been great difficulties. 

Each of us can think of people in our own lives who have made that difference and have 

wanted the very best for us, maybe a family member, a teacher or a BB leader. Maybe 

we remembered to show our gratitude, but maybe not. 

We are acutely aware that for many children and young people such influences can be 

lacking and for some a life born of potential is stunted through lack of opportunity; young 

people with little confidence and little self-esteem because they have been given little 

encouragement or value. 

BB has an admirable record of working with children and young people who have 

struggled in other settings. Lives changed and turned round because of the involvement 

of that significant adult. No one has ever said it will be easy, but it is immensely rewarding. 

I heard recently of one group who was told that the Queen’s Badge was only for the “elite” 

and a Captain told me that KGVI wasn’t for his type of Company. Such misperceptions 

limit the chances we offer young people. Being the very best is individual and BB is about 

individuals not arbitrary standards. At the start of the new session let us all commit to 

supporting our members be the very best they can be. 

Steve Dickinson 

Diary Dates 

7/13 Dec CS JW Morgan Scripture Assessment 

31 Oct – 1 Nov Brigade Leadership - Sports Leaders 

31 Oct – 1 Nov Brigade Leadership – Trailblazers 

14-15 Nov Brigade Leadership – Enhancing Your 

Skills 

21-22 Nov Brigade Leadership - Leading Sports 

5-6 Dec Brigade Leadership - Enhancing Your 

Skills 

Republic of Ireland 

8 Oct Training & Activities Committee 

3/10 Oct Youth Leader Training & Practical Skills, 

Carrick-on-Shannon 

10 Oct JS Hike, Co. Dublin 

16 Oct Roll ‘n Bowl Activity Evening, Portlaoise 

17 Oct Ten Pin Bowling, The Dome, Carlow 

18 Oct Annual Founder’s Thanksgiving Parade 

Service 

6/8 Nov Company Section Weekend 

7 Nov Indoor Football, Collooney 

9 Nov Regional/Executive Meeting 

14 Nov 5-A-Side Football (Over 10’s), Bunclody 

14 Nov AB Funday at ENRG, Rathcoole, Dublin 

28 Nov CS Hike, Co Wicklow 

5 Dec Swimming Gala - 2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m., 

Portarlington 

7/13 Dec JS Scripture Assessment 

10 Dec Training & Activities Committee 

Northern Ireland 

3-4 Oct First Aid Course (REC) 

9-10 Oct JS Quiz - First Round 

9-11 Oct Youth Leader Training 

9-11 Oct Skills for Queen’s Badge (Ganaway) 

16-18 Oct Skills for Queen’s Badge 

23-25 Oct BTO Training Part 1 

24 Oct JS Quiz Final 

7 Nov Junior Section Officers’ Conference 

9 Nov Drill Instructors’ Course 

17 Nov CS Ten-pin Bowling 

20-22 Nov Skills for Queen’s Badge 

England 

10th Oct Brigade Training Officer’s Update 

(Felden Lodge) 

10th Oct English Ten Pin Bowling 

Championships (Luton) 

6th-8th Nov Brigade Leadership / Skills for 

Queen’s Badge (Felden Lodge) 

7th-8th Nov Youth Leader Training – 

Part 1 (Felden Lodge) 

14th Nov Captain’s Training (Felden Lodge) 

October 2009 The Boys’ Brigade Gazette 110

CONTENTS 

116 

2nd Witham 

The adenture begins here 

118 

Project You 

(Youth Organisations – 

Uniform) 

121 

Sam Douthwaite 

– Street Pastor 

134 

– 

133 

President’s 

Commendation – 

Stephen Griffith 

Palm in Palm – Cameroon 

Backpacking or 

138 

Volunteering 

138Duke of 

Edinburgh’s 

Award 

140 

The Boys’ Brigade 

Kilbryde Hike 2009 

40th Anniversary 

Other items 

112........Brigade Council 09 

113.........Children’s Hospices UK 

114........National 125 

133........Reflections on two years as President 

140 .........The 2009 Cleveland Hike 

Regular Features 

119........Brigade Announcements 

132........Chaplain’s Corner 

130........Around the Regions 

136........Here and There 


BRIGADE COUNCIL 09 

BB_AD:Layout 1 30/10/2008 14:33 Page 1 

C’ead Mile Fáilte – a hundred 

thousand welcomes was indeed 

what greeted Council members 

who had travelled from all parts of 

the British Isles to the comfort of the 

Stillorgan Park Hotel in County Dublin. 

Guests were officially welcomed to 

Dublin at the Friday evening Reception 

at Christ Church Cathedral hosted by the 

Stedfast Association and attended by the 

Lord Mayor. Refreshments were served in 

the crypt followed by the welcome in the 

Cathedral itself. 

On Saturday, Council was held in the 

hotel and opened with worship led by 

Revd Derek Sargent, Chaplain, Republic 

of Ireland Region. Council then stood 

to receive messages of greeting from 

Her Majesty the Queen and from 

Her Excellency the President of Ireland. 

Mr Arthur Vincent, Chair of the 

organising committee welcomed Council 

to the Republic and his friendly hospitality 

set the tone for the meeting. 

Mr Chris Row, Brigade Vice President, 

presented the Annual Report for the 

session 2008/09 referring to the increased 

numbers of young people on Regional 

Committees and the Brigade Executive 

and the registering of Girls’ Associations. 

He spoke of the stabilisation of the 

numerical strength of the Brigade and the 

increasing interest in our work amongst 

the churches. Mrs Janice Dando, Brigade 

Vice President, seconded the Annual 

Report and highlighted some of the 

special events, community activity and 

extraordinary young people which have 

contributed to a remarkable year. 

In his final report to Council Mr John 

112 The Boys’ Brigade Gazette October 2009 

Williams, Brigade Treasurer, presented 

the Annual Accounts for the year ended 

31 March 2008. Mr Williams highlighted 

several key matters including a deficit of 

£51,686 on the year after paying pension 

fund contributions of £95,760. Legacy 

income had been £22,000 in the general 

fund with an additional £100,000 legacy 

received restricted for development 

within Scotland. Mr Perry Donaldson, 

Brigade Vice President and member 

of the Finance Committee, seconded 

the Accounts which were accepted 

by Council. Whiting & Partners were 

reappointed as auditors of The Boys’ 

Brigade and the Brigade Executive was 

authorised to fix their remuneration. 

Mr Michael Elliott proposed and Mr 

David Richmond seconded the following 

Brigade Office Bearers for the 2009-10 

Session who were approved by Council. 

President Sir Kenneth Calman KCB, Vice 

Presidents Mr C L Row, Mr N W Batty, Mr T 

W P Donaldson, Mrs J A Dando, Treasurer 

Mr C Bygrave. 

The Capitation fees for the 2009/10 were 

agreed as follows: Company fees £95; 

Officers £25; Associate Members £27; 

Young Person Members £10. Following 

the financial reports Mr Perry Donaldson 

paid tribute to Mr John Williams for his 

stewardship of the Brigade’s resources 

during his period as Treasurer and made 

a presentation on behalf of the Brigade. 

This concluded the statutory business of 

Council. 

Mr Norman Batty, Brigade Vice 

President, hosted a review of the 125 

year which contained a DVD presentation 

highlighting the key events and community 

involvement of the anniversary year. In 

announcing that we had exceeded our 

goal of raising £125,000 for the work 

of children’s hospices, Norman invited 

Mrs Jane McKenna of the Laura Lynn 

Children’s Hospice Foundation to tell 

Council of the work and she gave a 

very personal and moving presentation. 

Stephen Cowden and Jonathan Ferry who 

had recently returned from Cameroon 

showed a video of their experiences and 

spoke passionately about the difference 

the project had made not only in 

Cameroon, but to them personally. 

Following lunch, Brigade staff 

highlighted issues relating to the year 

ahead, including developing new 

opportunities and further support for 

existing companies. In an Open Forum 

Executive and Staff members responded 

to questions from Council members. Miss 

Sharon Mackey and Mr Perry Donaldson 

made an invitation to Brigade Council 

2010 which will take place in Armagh. 

The Council meeting drew to a close with 

worship led by The Revd Derek Sargent. 

In the evening Council members 

enjoyed a Gala Dinner. Following the 

Sunday Morning Service of Thanksgiving 

held at St Philip and St James’ Church 

where the preacher was the Archbishop 

of Dublin, the Most Revd J. Neill, Primate 

of Ireland, another Council weekend 

concluded and members started on their 

homeward journeys. Very grateful thanks 

must be extended to all who helped in 

any way with the excellent arrangements 

which undoubtedly contributed to the 

positive atmosphere and special thanks 

must be made to Mr Philip Daley, National 

Director, the Republic of Ireland who 

worked tirelessly before and during the 

weekend to ensure that all went to plan.

TOGETHER 

you’ve made a lifetime of difference. 

Thank you Boys’ Brigade for raising over £125,000 

We want to convey our heartfelt thanks to you all for working so hard to raise 

funds for Children’s Hospices UK over the last two years. We have been astounded 

with the support we have received from Companies across the country and would 

like to thank you for raising over £100,000 for children’s hospices across the UK. 

This, together with the €25,000 raised in the Republic of Ireland and the £10,000 

from RBS due to Mrs Elizabeth Brydson of Solway Battalion, means you’ve reached 

your target – a staggering £125,000. Actually, you’ve exceeded the target and the 

amount raised currently stands at £132,329.20 and there’s still money coming in. 

We’ve loved hearing about all the wonderful ways you’ve been raising money 

including buffet dances, giant sleepovers, Christmas carol services, and our very 

own Swim for Kids and even attending some of our launch events to help the 

whole event get off to a great start! You’ve not only raised money for us, you’ve 

given your time. We were really lucky to have a willing team of volunteers 

for the Bristol Half Marathon in September last year helping to marshal the 

exhausted runners around the course! 

Your contribution will make a lifetime of difference to children’s hospices 

across the UK in the care they provide. Children’s hospice care is truly 

unique, supporting life-limited children and their families from the moment 

of diagnosis, throughout the course of the child’s illness and the process of 

bereavement. Children and families who access their local children’s hospice 

find it a real lifeline, giving them short breaks and time together as a family, 

enjoying a variety of therapies and most importantly helping them to make 

the most of life. The support we have had from each and every one of you has 

meant they can continue to provide this essential care – you have made a very 

real difference to the lives of these families and for that we are truly grateful. 

The support we have received has been unprecedented and 

we are extremely grateful. 

Together we’ve made a positive impact on the lives of many 

families around the UK who are facing a daily battle to 

simply keep things going. 

With our warmest wishes and sincere thanks, 

Everyone at Children’s Hospices UK 

Below is the list of donations we 

have been notified about from 

June 2009 to 31st August 2009 

24th Hull.......................................................... 267.00 

Norfolk Battalion............................................... 175.00 

10th North Suffolk.......................................... 1000.00 

The BB Collectors’ Club..................................... 43.00 

2nd Romsey..................................................... 200.00 

7th Southampton............................................. 192.98 

BB in Hampshire.............................................. 509.95 

East Cheshire Battalion.................................... 384.80 

1st Haslington.................................................... 50.00 

1st Kettering..................................................... 125.00 

South East Essex Battalion............................... 645.63 

1st Bromborough............................................. 200.43 

4th Southampton........................................... 1650.00 

7th Chelmsford................................................ 400.00 

East Anglia District............................................. 13.50 

Mid Scottish Queen’s Badge Committee......... 144.37 

1st Altrincham.................................................. 169.40 

1st Acomb....................................................... 127.00 

Wirral & West Cheshire Battalion...................... 200.43 

1st Enverurie.................................................... 250.00 

10th Exeter....................................................... 379.53 

3rd Halesowen................................................... 52.00 

16th Cardiff...................................................... 271.26 

2nd Bedford................................................... 1875.00 

KGVI England................................................... 183.32 

Bradford & District Battalion............................. 333.39 

3rd Chester...................................................... 330.00 

South East Hants Battalion............................. 3380.04 

Sheffield Battalion............................................ 490.97 

1st Falkirk......................................................... 300.00 

1st Dronfield.................................................... 650.00 

23rd Sheffield................................................... 725.00 

2nd Chesterfield............................................... 535.61 

Grimsby & District Battalion.............................. 797.00 

1st Castleford................................................... 260.00 

10th Sheffield..................................................... 58.00 

Halifax Battalion............................................... 675.25 

3rd Harrogate................................................... 375.00 

1st Ossett.......................................................... 60.00 

7th Hull............................................................ 130.00 

5th Hull............................................................ 120.00 

Hull Battalion.................................................... 100.00 

Swim for Kids................................................... 180.50 

Individual Donations....................................... 1489.53 

1st Market Weighton......................................... 250.00 

1st Old Kilpatrick............................................ 1400.00 

1st Dunboe...................................................... 400.00 

2nd Maidenhead.............................................. 512.34 

South Bucks & East Berks Battalions............... 164.52 

10th Wolverhampton........................................ 275.00 

2nd Burgess Hill............................................... 100.00 

1st Newbury..................................................... 288.00 

3rd Galston...................................................... 501.00 

1st New Deer................................................... 100.00 

3rd/8th Edinburgh............................................ 500.00 

2nd Alton, 1st & 2nd Fleet Companies............. 126.00 


National 

Little Havens CHILDREN’S HOSPICE 

Set within 120 acres of woodland, Little Havens in Essex 

celebrated its 10th birthday in 2008. It provides a home 

from home for ill children, their parents and their siblings, 

one in which they can take a break from the strain of 

constant care and concentrate on being a family. 

Prior to the start of the 125 appeal I made contact with my 

local children’s hospice and was invited to visit and have 

a look at the facilities. The first thing that you see as you 

walk through the bright welcoming reception area is the 

hydrotherapy pool used by the children and their families. 

There’s a multisensory room packed full of toys and special 

equipment designed to stimulate the senses of the children, 

the garden with play equipment suitable for wheelchair use 

and the chapel used for quiet reflection and music therapy. 

There are nine bedrooms for the children each with a 

private patio and accommodation for their families upstairs. 

At the start of my visit I was told that I wouldn’t be able 

to see all the facilities as there was a family spending 

their last hours with their child, but from what I saw it was 

obvious that Little Havens tries to fulfil its sated desire 

“that all children with life limiting illness be enabled to 

live life to the full.” 

by Jane Holden 

The Last Event 

Four teams of young men of the 

East Cheshire Battalion rounded 

off their year of fundraising to 

celebrate the organisation’s 125 

years of Christian Youth Service. 

The final event was a 12.5 mile canal 

walk from Kidsgrove to Middlewich 

covering a cumulative125 locks. 

The grand total raised by all sections 

of the Battalion over the year was 

a magnificent £2344:80p, which 

has been presented to the Donna 

Louise Trust. 

Burns’ Supper 

Members of 1st Bearsden presented £600 to CHAS 

following a Burns’ Supper arranged by the Seniors. 

Coast to Coast ride 

Boys and leaders of 8th Hartlepool completed a 146 mile 

coast to coast bike ride from Whitehaven to Hartlepool 

and raised £1827 for the Butterwick Children’s Hospice. 

Money for Acorns Hospice, Walsall 

10th Wolverhampton raised £275 for Acorns Hospice in 

Walsall by baking cakes, planting sunflower seeds, growing 

plants and taking part in a beetle drive. 

East Antrim Battalion 

Pictured is Brian Smith who has recently stepped down as 

President of the East Antrim Battalion, presenting a cheque for 

£500 to a representative from the Northern Ireland Children’s 

Hospice. Looking on is the Battalion Treasurer, Drew Buchanan. 

114 The Boys’ Brigade Gazette October 2009

West Anglia Battalion Show 

West Anglia Battalion donated £1500 

to the Keech Cottage Hospice, 

proceeds of its Battalion Show to 

mark the 125th Anniversary. 

Pennies for Ty Hafan 

The 16th Cardiff Company chose 

Ty Hafan, the Children’s Hospice 

in Wales, as the charity it would 

support this year and raised the sum 

of £271.26 by a collection of 1p, 2p 

and 5p coins. At a parents’ evening 

the cheque was presented by Alyx 

Courtman to Alyson Rees, Head of 

Fundraising at Ty Hafan. 

SOUTH EAST HANTS BATTALION 

As part of its fundraising activities 

the South East Hants Battalion held a 

sponsored walk and raised over £2000 

for Naomi House Children’s Hospice in 

Hampshire. Over all, the Battalion has 

raised £3,380.04 for Naomi House. 

Pictured are representatives of 20th and 

23rd Luton Companies who visited the 

Hospice to hand over the cheque. 

4th Southampton supporting 

Naomi House 

All sections of 4th Southampton helped 

to raise £1650 for Naomi House. The 

Company Section held a sponsored night 

walk. The Juniors and Anchors held a 

coffee morning with a number of activities 

and the Sergeants organised a ‘BB’s got 

Talent’ evening for the whole Company. 

Over £1000 RAISED 

The 10th North Suffolk Company 

raised £1000 for the local Hospice. 

The cheque was presented to David 

Went from East Anglia’s Children’s 

Hospice. Since then a further £175 

has been raised. 

Celebration Camp 

The Highland Battalion celebrated the 

125th Anniversary with a weekend camp 

at Carrbridge. Seven teams took part 

in the Battalion Junior Section 7-a-side 

football tournament with the 1st 

Culloden being the winners. 

7th CHELMSFORD supporting 

LITTLE HAVENS 

Members of 7th Chelmsford raised £400 

for Little Havens Children’s Hospice with 

a number of events, including a musical 

quiz, beetle drive and coffee morning. 

Time-Capsule Ceremony at The Boys’ Brigade 

Memorial Garden 

The witnesses from all sections of the Brigade assemble in the garden 

On Sunday 5th July six 

special Brigade ‘witnesses’ 

assembled at the BB 

Memorial Garden along with a 

Minister and many other BB members 

and friends, for a brief ceremony 

to deposit a ‘125 Time Capsule’ for 

fifty years in a prepared chamber. 

Sealed inside the capsule were 125 

objects relating to young people and 

the BB in 2009. The witnesses, one from 

each section of the Brigade including 

The Girls’ Association, took part in a 

short service at the end of which they 

were each given a printed invitation for 

the opening in 2059! 


The challenge of 

whether ...“the 

adventure begins 

here” depends 

on your view of 

what this means 

So far, in the BB Gazette, I have 

only seen comments of keeping 

Seniors, but I feel it should 

reflect the need for adventurous 

activities for all age groups – 

even Anchor Boys! After all, most 

of our members are in red or blue 

sweatshirts ! Focussing on the 

spiritual side of our work, what 

adventures are there, as we bring 

The Good News of Jesus too 

This is what we attempt to achieve 

in 2nd Witham ... 

Over the last 37 years, real efforts 

have been made in extending our 

activity base in all age groups, to 

reflect a progressive adventurous, 

and challenging programme, always 

linked to the BB badge programme. 

In an attempt to broaden our approach 

over a period of 25 years, with help 

from a huge number of supporters, 

the following has been introduced, in 

partnership with other organsations 

and individuals: 

1. Conservation and board watching 

work, on 18 acres of ancient woodland 

and arable field, mainly in partnership 

with BTCV, ((The British Trust for 

Conservation Volunteers), including 

board walk construction, use of heritage 

tools and coppicing of hazel, the 

construction of a one acre lake and 

BMX track and countless bird, insect, 

owl and bat box construction, stag 

beetle pyramid homes and mini beast 

hunts! Our partnership with BTCV is not 

exclusive because we own the land, as 

we also undertake conservation work 

within our town at a local nature reserve 

and church yard. Any BB Company can 

partner locally with BTCV – it is so much 

fun and worthwhile. 

2. A wood turning programme was 

established some years ago, with a 

professional wood turner, who is also a 

parent of a 2nd Witham boy. Over 300 

young people including other groups and 

individuals, have benefitted from a range 

of teaching sessions, making anything 

from a small spinning top to a 16 inch 

vase made from Yew wood. Now the 

programme is either operated by the 

use of a small “portable” lathe on site 

at BB meetings, or the use of a much 

larger lathe, in our workshop facility. 

3. Also from the workshop runs a 

canoeing programme in local rivers, 

having trained up BB staff and volunteers 

from the local Volunteer agency and 

County Council Outdoor Centre and 

the BB Canoe Club. 

4. Several volunteers offered a car 

restoration programme, supported by 

our local Community Foundation, and 

currently a Golf Gti 1.8 l is being restored. 

5. Finally, some three ago, some 

staff realised there was a gap in our 

programme with little sea–based 

activities! Following successful fund 

raising over a year, and the support of 

local Trusts, the RNLI and interested 

individuals, the powerboat “Blue 

Whisper” was purchased and so a 

training programme under the direction 

of the RYA, created a strong leadership 

base for those running the project, from 

16 years of age upwards! The RIB is

often out at weekends and over the 

spring to autumn time, and to date has 

been as far as Wales and northern 

Essex, taking part with the RNLI in a 

yearly Boat Festival weekend. 

Social inclusion and integration play 

an important part in the life of our BB 

company, and so we do activities with 

those who have special needs, and share 

our resources with other groups locally. 

Within Anchor Boys and Juniors, Seniors 

run a successful Cooking Club, and 

together with BB staff, Animation, Film 

making and special effects films are 

made on a regular basis, before the 

weekly meetings. These are sometimes 

included on a dedicated website 

acknowledging the successes of all 

young people we work alongside. 

It is clear to us that without the support 

of so many people, these programmes 

would not run or would cease. It does 

take a great deal of effort to realise 

this integrated approach, but the 

rewards far outweigh the problems. 

The partnerships are second to none! 

Yes, the adventure does begin here ... 

it needs to. Spiritually too we provide 

strong opportunities for our young 

people to be challenged toward a 

Chrisitian experience and life with 

God. This is particularly central to 

our adventure theme as 80% of 

our membership do not attend a 

church, and we have members 

from several churches over a 

large radius from Witham. 

So let the challenge really begin! 

John Boon 

Captain, 2nd Witham BB 

BTCV have been working for many years in Essex with the 2nd Witham 

BB. We started out helping on their site at Twinstead, which is used as 

a camping and recreation site. However there is also a great deal of 

conservation value to their work, and in the beginning we bought our 

volunteers along to do basic maintenance on the site. 

Over the years this relationship has developed, and we have managed to 

secure funding to do more work on the site, and perhaps more importantly, 

work more closely with the young people that come to enjoy the site. 

This has allowed us to reach a new group of young people who may 

have otherwise not had the opportunity to do conservation work, which 

leads to them increasing their skills and hopefully giving them a lifelong 

appreciation for the countryside and biodiversity. 

From this point we are now looking to expand how we work with the BB, 

not just concentrating on this site at Twinstead, but also reaching out to sites 

in the local community where BTCV and BB can engage new groups of 

young people to help create new areas for wildlife. We hope that this will 

bring much wider benefits, allowing us to work with schools and youth 

groups, fostering “ownership” of local green space by young people, helping 

the community to appreciate and respect the green space in their towns. 

I believe the partnership that we have has the potential to help a lot 

of young people and also benefit the natural environment, and I would 

encourage other Companies to contact their local BTCV office to see how 

they can work together. The BTCV website (www.btcv.org) is a good 

starting point. 

Matt Waller 

Essex Senior Projects Officer

PROJECT YOU 

The lawns of Buckingham Palace 

saw the official launch of Project 

You (London) on a glorious July 

afternoon in the presence of Their 

Royal Highnesses, The Prince of 

Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall. 

Project You (Youth Organisations – 

Uniform) is a collaboration between the 

voluntary uniformed youth organisations 

to promote the positive activities provided 

for young people and thereby increase 

membership and to encourage new 

volunteers to come forward to work 

with young people. 

Their Royal Highnesses spent time talking 

to leaders and members of all organisations 

and were especially appreciative of the 

London District gymnastics team. Following 

evaluation of the work in London it is hoped 

that with the Prince’s encouragement the 

project will become a national initiative. 

BB Goblins are Green for Go! 

On Sunday 19th July 60 teams 

arrived at the Goodwood Motor 

Circuit in Sussex for the annual 

Greenpower Gathering of Goblins 

event. Among these were two cars from 

the 8th North Staffs Company and one 

from the 18th North Staffs. Company. 

The Greenpower Goblin car is a kit car 

that youngsters of Junior Section age can 

assemble with some help from adults. The 

car has a 24volt motor powered by two 

12volt batteries 

and has a 

maximum speed 

of 15mph. The 

8th Company was 

able to purchase 

four Goblin kits 

plus a set of 

tracksuits and 

crash helmets 

from a grant from 

the “Awards for 

All Fund”. One 

of these kits was 

developed by 18th 

North Staffs. The 

winter and spring 

months were spent assembling, developing 

designs for the bodywork and testing the 

cars out. 

On Saturday 18th July, boys, officers and 

leaders travelled to Chichester and had a 

sleepover at the Christ Church Methodist/ 

United Reformed Church before travelling 

on to Goodwood on Sunday morning. Once 

the cars had been checked for health and 

safety reasons and passed their ‘MOTs’ it 

was straight into the “Drag” event – a 200 

metre straight dash in the fastest possible 

time. Then it was the “Driving Skills” test, 

which meant driving around and through 

two cones. The “Slalom” event followed 

lunch where the cars had to drive in and 

out of a series of cones set out in front of 

the main Grandstand. The final team event 

was the “Timed Lap” event at the main 

chicane on the Goodwood track. 

Finally, 60 Greenpower Goblin Cars lined 

up for the “Race of Champions”. The 

best drivers from each team now had the 

opportunity to drive one complete lap of 

the 2.4 mile circuit in order to challenge 

for the title of Race Champion. It was an 

impressive sight as the Union flag went 

down and the cars set off. Cheers rang out 

as each car raced for the chequered flag. 

There were no trophies for the BB boys 

from North Staffs, but they all enjoyed 

a wonderful day and had many tales to 

tell parents and friends when they 

returned home. 

Kevin Ford Captain, 

8th North Staffs Company 

(Greenpower is a registered charity 

and details can be found at 

www.greenpower.co.uk) 


Brigade announcements 

MEETING OF THE BRIGADE 

EXECUTIVE – 4th September 

2009 

The Meeting was held at the Stillorgan 

Park Hotel, County Dublin. This is a 

summary of the main items covered. 

Brigade Executive 

New members were welcomed by the 

President. 

Finance 

The Brigade Treasurer reported on the 

Brigade Finances for the three months 

to 30th June 2009. The Brigade was 

running a deficit in line with the budget. 

There were still concerns with the utility 

bills at the Training Centres. 

Appointments 

Mr Bill Archibald had resigned from his 

position as Development Worker, North 

Scottish Area and the Brigade Secretary 

and the Director for Scotland were 

looking at how best this position could 

be progressed. 

Business Director 

The Executive endorsed the designation 

of those Companies having returned the 

Company Designation Form and agreed 

procedures for those outstanding. 

Director of Youth and Children’s Work 

The Director of Youth and Children’s 

Work updated the Executive on the 

development of the NVQ scheme, 

optional modules for YLT and the work 

NEW COMPANIES 

The following new Companies have been enrolled since the last Gazette 

Company Captain Church 

67th Belfast Gareth Walls (acting) Kilpatrick Memorial Presbyterian Church 

1st Blackfield Deborah Potter Blackfield Baptist Church 

6th East Kilbride Rev Kevin MacKenzie Westwood Parish Church 

7th Gloucester Diana Dale Christchurch Abbeydale 

1st Manhood Georgina Scears East Wittering United Reformed Church 

37th Edingburgh Jez Dearing Niddrie Community Church 

1st Wells Alison Hurford Elim Pentecostal Church 

20th West Kent Roy English Sidcup Free Grace Baptist Church 

of the Brigade’s Safeguarding Panel. 

Reports 

The Executive received reports from 

Regional Directors and the minutes of 

Regional Committees. 

Chairman of Brigade Executive 

Mr C L Row JP was re-elected as 

Chairman of the Brigade Executive for 

the 2009/10 session. 

Brigade Council 

The Executive reviewed the business for 

Council and authorised the chair to vote 

in favour of the motions when proxy 

votes had been left to his discretion. 

QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS 

The Brigade congratulates Drew 

Buchanan, 8th Carrickfergus, awarded 

an MBE for voluntary services to The 

Boys’ Brigade in Northern Ireland. 

Minibus Permits 

VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services 

Agency) has introduced changes to the 

issuing of minibus permits. The new 

permits have an expiry date of five years 

from the issue date. Old style permits 

(brown) are still valid, but will expire in 

April 2014, and a new permit will need 

to be ordered from BBUK HQ. The 

application form for permits has been 

updated and is available on the BBUK 

Website (see ‘resources’ and ‘forms’) 

or from BBUK HQ. 

INDEPENDENT SAFEGAURDING 

AUTHORITY (ISA) 

Registrations with ISA will start in June 

2010 and all new leaders will then be 

required to have an ISA registration 

number (in England, Wales and Northern 

Ireland). Registration with ISA will be 

phased in for existing leaders working in 

The Boys’ Brigade during the next 5 years. 

BBUK HQ will manage the registrations 

with ISA and individuals will not need 

to approach ISA direct. The checks will 

remain free of charge to volunteers. All 

new leaders will be required to have 

completed registration with ISA before 

starting work with children & young 

people. The ISA indicate that applications 

will be turned around in 7 days. A 

separate but aligned scheme is being set 

up in Scotland under the Protection of 

Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007. 

Further information will be circulated 

in 2010 through the BB Gazette and 

Website. Should you have any questions 

please contact the Membership Team 

at BBUK Headquarters or visit the ISA 

Website at http://www.isa-gov.org.uk/. 

EXECUTIVE MEMBERS 

ELECTED FOR SESSION 

2009 – 2011/12 

Representing England: 

Mr M Elliott 

Mr C Preston 

Mr V Staples 

Mr G Stobbart 

Representing Scotland: 

Mr D Love 

Mr D Richmond 

Mr D Sneddon 

Mr L Stein 

Representing Northern 

Ireland: 

Miss S Mackey 

Revd T McCormick 

Mr K Niblock 

Mr R J Thornberry 

Representing Republic of 

Ireland: 

Mr R L Buttimer 

Representing Wales: 

Mr C Smith 

OFFICE BEARERS 


2009 -2010 

Sir Kenneth Calman, President 

Mr C Row, Vice President 

Mr N Batty, Vice President 

Mrs J Dando, Vice President 

Mr P Donaldson, Vice 

President 

Mr C Bygrave, Treasurer 

Rev Terry Hurst, Chaplain 

REGIONAL COMMITTEES 


2009 – 2011/12 

England 

Mr Andrew Baldwin 

Miss Becki Daniel 

Mr John Easton 

Mr Michael Elliott 

Mr Anderson Esnard 

Mr Lee Hiorns 

Mr Thomas Hornsey 

Mr Ashley Lampard 

Mr Stephen Lane 

Mr Leigh Maydew 

Mr Colin Preston 

Rev Dr Ron Reid 

Mr Vaughan Staples 

Mr Graeme Stobbart 

Mr Phil Timms 

Mr Roger Vogel 

Scotland 

Mr Colin Forbes 

Mrs Susan Gray 

Mr Alistair Joss 

Mr Andrew Kimmitt 

Mr Michael Knott 

Mr David Love 

Mr Jamie McIntosh 

Mr Ross McKillop 

Mr Andrew Pool 

Mr David Richmond 

Mr David Sneddon 

Mr Lindsay Stein 


Mr Paul Ballentine 

Mr Noel Clingan 

Mr David Doggart 

Mr Gary Grimes 

Mr Stephen Hunter 

Mr Richard Kincaid 

Miss Sharon Mackey 

Mr Michael McConkey 

Rev Trevor McCormick 

Mr Glen Miller 

Mr Karl Niblock 

Mr Stephen Osborne 

Mr David Scott 

Mr David Smyth 

Mr Jim Thornberry 

Republic of Ireland 

Miss Elizabeth Armstrong 

Mr Leslie Buttimer 

Mr Richard Codd 

Mr Mervyn Denner 

Mr Wesley Galloway 

Mr Alex Thackaberry 

Mr Arthur Vincent 

Wales 

Mr Christopher Bracey 

Mr Andrew Eccleston 

Mr Stephen Miles 

Mr Alen Pasley 

Mr Norman Pybus 

Mr Colin Smith 

Mr John Winchester 


changing lives 

volunteering 

Do you feel rushed off 

your feet 

Do you want 

your Company to engage 

more children & young people 

Are you barely treading water 

If your answer to any of these is yes, then it will come 

as no surprise that you need more volunteers. 

Boys’ Brigade changes lives! And that’s why we have 

entitled our new recruitment initiative ‘Changing Lives’. 

We all know that being part of The Boys’ Brigade is lots 

of fun, but it also impacts children, young people and 

leaders in a way that lasts and shapes lives. 

There are so many children & young people out 

there desperate for activities to join in with in their 

communities who at the moment don’t come to BB. 

There are also talented people who would like to offer 

their skills if only they knew how. 

We have a vision to Engage a Generation, and the only 

way we can do that is if we can find more people like 

you who are willing to support this work. Remember 

you are part of a movement that has been bringing 

hope to children & young people in communities 

all around the world for over 125 years. Share your 

passion with others, change lives! 

RESOURCES 

The resources include a Recruitment Tool 

Box which brings together a range of ideas for 

recruiting, and will help your Company decide what 

it should do. To complement the Recruitment 

Tool Box there are leaflets and posters available 

from BB Supplies as well as additional ideas and 

templates online. 

The Recruitment Tool Box and samples of some of 

the leaflets have been circulated to all Companies 

with the October Company Mailing. 

You can also find everything online at: 

www.boys-brigade.org.uk/recruitment/ 

Can you imagine what one new volunteer 

could mean to your group 

Take this chance to refresh and reinvigorate your Company. 

And remember, most people who don’t currently volunteer 

say that they would if they were asked! 

BB Supplies 

A full range of leaflets and posters will 

be available from BB Supplies from 1st 

November 2009. For more information 

about these resources check out the 

online shop at: 

http://shop.boys-brigade.org.uk 


climbing ● zip wire ● mountain boarding ● escape into the adventure! 

• Schools • Youth Groups 

• Corporate • Activity Breaks 

Situated on the dramatic North Devon coast, where Exmoor meets the sea. 

The Beacon accommodates parties of up to 41 – providing food, accommodation and a programme of exciting outdoor 

activities arranged in consultation with each group. These include climbing, crate stack, zip wire, mountain boarding, 

archery, and many more on our stunning estate. 

As a self-contained centre, The Beacon is usually booked as a whole centre for school groups, youth groups and 

corporate training days. But look out for some specific weeks and weekends for individuals to book in the Lee Abbey 

programme, including Dads ‘n’ Lads and Men’s Retreats. Also the combined family activity weeks that will be run in 

conjunction with the main Lee Abbey programme. www.leeabbey.org.uk 

www.beacondevon.co.uk ● 01598 752621 

Sam Douthwaite – Street Pastor 

I 

remember being told by my 

grandparents that I was being 

taken to the Anchor Boys and the 

tears ensued. My grandparents won 

the battle of wills and along I went to 

join the 1st Cramlington Company. 

Over the next few years I progressed 

through to the Junior Section where 

I gained my gold badge. Soon after, 

I decided to leave the BB and 

church for good. I was in my teens 

and other distractions took the 

place of church and the BB. 

This was the case until the age of 

24 when I had a “road to Damascus” 

experience whilst out doing my shopping. 

My life was changed and I gave my life 

to Christ on 21st August 2006. Since 

that date, the Lord has taken me on a 

journey, which has now resulted in me 

leading Street Pastors Newcastle. This 

ministry seeks to provide pastoral care 

to vulnerable, hurting and broken people 

within Newcastle upon Tyne. We are on 

the streets from 10pm – 4am on a Friday 

and Saturday evening. We get involved 

in everything from feeding the homeless, 

to breaking up violent incidents, to 

looking after someone who is ill as a 

result of alcohol/drug abuse, to sharing 

the gospel and praying with people. We 

work alongside both Northumbria and 

the British Transport Police. Through this 

ministry, the streets of Newcastle are 

becoming a safer place and the gospel 

is being shared. 

I believe my conversion was a 

direct result of the prayers of both my 

grandparents, who passed away in my 

teens, and my leaders within The Boys’ 

Brigade. God heard their prayers and 

He answered them. My time in the BB 

gave me an understanding of both the 

cost and the joy of following Jesus. I was 

taught what it means to be a man of God 

and I believe that it has played a pivotal 

part in my journey to faith. My thanks and 

gratitude goes out to the leaders in the 

BB who do such a great job of speaking 

truth into the lives of young men and 

preparing them for a life of service in the 

name of Jesus. 

October April 2009 The The Boys’ Brigade Gazette 121 121

Christingle Programme Ideas 

The Children’s Society has developed programme ideas in partnership with 

BBUK Headquarters to fit the Anchors and Juniors programme zones. The 

resources will allow your Company to explore and celebrate Christingle in 

your regular meetings and how you could involve the wider community. A 

selection of programme ideas can be found in this 4-page pullout, but you 

will find even more online at www.christingle.org/boysbrigade including more 

about how you can get your free resources. 

Exploring Christingle 

CREATIVITY 

Aim: To bring to life the Christian 

message in a creative and 

interactive way, through the 

symbolism of Christingle. 

Time: 1 hour (adaptable) 

Group size: No maximum number 

Equipment: 

• Oranges 

• Red tape 

• Wax candles 

• Silver foil 

• Cocktail sticks 

• Dried fruits /soft 

sweets 

• Knife/apple corer 

• CD player 

• Festive music 

• Matches/lighter 

Instructions: 

Part 1: The Symbolism of Christingle 

Ask your group to form a large circle around the room. Turn off 

some of the lights if this is not a hazard, as this will immediately 

get attention and the Christingle will have more impact. 

Stand in the circle with a lit Christingle, which can be made in 

advance. Ask the children if any of them can tell you what they 

think it is. They may know – they may not! 

Tell your group that a Christingle is a symbol. Make sure that 

they understand that a symbol is something that represents 

something else, and give some examples, e.g. a rose is a 

symbol of love, an anchor is the symbol of The Boys’ Brigade 

etc. Get the group to guess what each element of the Christingle 

symbolises. This can either be done in the circle with the lights 

dimmed, or you could use the following interactive game: 

For each element of the Christingle, give three suggestions for 

what it could represent. For example; the orange – is it 

a spaceship, the world or a house Designate three spaces 

at your venue for each of your three suggestions and ask your 

children to move to the suggestion area they think is right. This 

physical movement will get them to think about each element 

and engage more with Christingle. 

By the end of the activity the children should know that the 

symbolism of the Christingle: 

o a lighted candle – symbolising Jesus, the Light of the World 

o an orange – representing the world 

o the red tape – indicating the blood/ love of Christ 

o four cocktail sticks bearing dried fruit or sweets – to signify the 

four seasons and the fruits of the earth. 

Part 2: Making your Christingle 

Next move on to the fun section – creating the Christingles. This 

can be a fairly messy activity, so make sure surfaces/children are 

well covered! 

As this is a festive activity enjoyed at Christmas time, Christmas 

music played would be a nice accompaniment to this activity. 

The Children’s Society’s Christingle CD ‘Hope of Heaven’ is free 

to order (see Activity Specific Resources), and features a few 

festive songs sung by children. Maybe your group could learn 

the songs in advance. 


Each child will need their own orange, some red tape, a candle and 

a square of tin foil (both best cut to size before the session), four 

cocktail sticks and access to a bowl of dried fruit/sweets. 

Talk the children through these simple steps to making a 

Christingle: 

o Take your orange and fasten a piece of red tape around the 

middle 

o Make a small cross in the top or the orange using a knife or 

apple corer and lay a square of silver foil (7.5cm/3” square) 

over it 

o Place your wax candle on top of the foil and wedge it firmly into 

the orange 

o Load four cocktail sticks with the dried fruit/soft sweets, so the 

points are covered. 

o Insert the sticks into the orange above the red tape. 

Part 3: Christingle Celebration 

Stand back in a circle, with each child holding their Christingle. 

If it is not dangerous to do so, it is best if lights can be dimmed. 

Explain that each child will have their Christingle lit and that you 

trust each of them to be very careful. 

From the inside of the circle, move round and light each candle. 

With close supervision you could ask them to help light the 

candle of the person next to them, thus passing on the light. 

Singing a song whilst the Christingles are being lit is a great 

idea. As the children won’t be able to hold song sheets, it is best 

to choose a song everybody knows or maybe project the words 

on a wall, if possible. You could ask your group to choose the 

song in advance. 

After the song, a short prayer can be said for all the children in 

the UK. Suggestions can be found in The Children’s Society’s 

Create-a-Christingle magazine, Page 28. 

Give each child a Christingle sticker for taking part (see Activity 

Specific Resources). 

Safety Issues/Risk Assessments: 

o Wash hands before handling fruits/sweets 

o Safety using sharp objects – knife, cocktail sticks 

o Lit candles – for information on glow candles, 

an alternative to wax candles, see Page 8 of the 

Create -a-Christingle magazine or visit 

www.christingle.org.

Tips/Advice: 

Invite parents and guests to either part of or the whole session 

to make a full, festive celebration. See Activity 3, Part 1 for 

suggestions on who to invite. The more the merrier! Hand 

out The Children’s Society’s collection envelopes to all those 

attending. 

Alternatively you could take this activity outside of your meeting 

and hold a Christingle celebration in your local church or in 

the community. It could be the theme of your next Parade 

Service. For a more formal service, you can add a couple 

of readings and songs – suggestions can be found in the 

Create-a-Christingle magazine (Pages 30 – 34). The children 

can take the lead in each section and enjoy being part of a 

large celebration. Invite other groups, friends or schools to 

your service and use it as a recruiting event. Remember to use 

some of the great new resources available through The Boys’ 

Brigade. Go to www.boys-brigade.org.uk/recruitment and find 

out more. 

Hand out collection candles to your group in a previous meeting 

for them to take home (see Activity Specific Resources). These 

can be taken home for them to fill with small change for The 

Children’s Society and collected in at the end of your Christingle 

celebration. 

Activity Specific Resources: 

The following can be ordered free of charge from The Children’s 

Society; visit 

www.christingle.org/boysbrigade 

or call 0845 600 8585. 

o Create-a-Christingle magazine – for a wealth of additional 

activities and advice 

o Christingle stickers – to give to all children involved 

o Red tape – to make your Christingles 

o Wax candles – to make your Christingles 

o A4 safety poster – with advice on safe practice 

o Christingle Song CD – to play during your session 

o Collection candles – making it fun for young people 

to collect for The Children’s Society 

o Collection envelopes – to hand out to adults attending 

o Giro – to pay in any money raised (one will automatically 

be sent with any orders for materials) 

* When ordering materials, please select ‘Adverts – Boys’ Brigade 

Gazette’ when asked ‘Where did you hear about Christingle’. 

Shining the Light 

COMMUNITY 

Aim: To develop your groups’ 

knowledge of The Children’s Society’s 

work with disadvantaged children 

in their community and remind the 

children that God wants us to help 

those less fortunate than ourselves 

Time: 1 hour (adaptable) 


Equipment: 

• Magazines 

• Large sheets of 

paper 

• Cut out candle 

outlines 

(see Activity 

Specific 

Resources) 

• Coloured pencils/ 

pens, 

• Scissors 

• Glue 

• Blue tac 

• Laptop (if showing 

video clip) 


Part 1: Making a Community Circle 

Children can either work in pairs, in a small group or the 

Company could work together as a whole. 

Draw a circle on a large piece of paper, making sure 

there are a few inches of blank paper around the outside 

of the circle. Tell your group that the circle represents 

their community. 

Ask the children what the word ‘community’ means to them. 

Maybe it is the road they live on, the town where they live or 

maybe they think the UK is their community There is not a 

right or wrong answer. 

Next ask them to think about the other children in their 

community. Can they list where other children might be 

in their community At school, in the park, at home, in 

hospitals, other groups or clubs for example. Create a 

list of all the places they suggest. 

Ask the children to illustrate these children by drawing 

them in the middle of the circle or using cuttings from 

magazines. If working with younger children, it may be 

safer to either have them drawing or tearing out pictures. 

Stick all the pictures in the middle of the circle next to 

the drawings and display the picture on the wall. 

Part 2: The Children’s Society 

For this part of the activity, please be sensitive to any 

difficult situations within the group. 

Tell your group that The Children’s Society works in their 

community and all over the country, helping children and 

teenagers with their problems and making sure that they 

are safe and happy. These might include: 

o Children who grow up in unhappy homes, with parents 

who don’t care about them. 

o Children who have moved to England from 

another country. 

o Children who care for their parents, brothers or sisters. 

o Children who are being bullied at school. 

If possible, show one of the suggested video clips 

(see Activity Specific Resources). 

Ask your group if they know any children in these situations 

in their community that they could help or befriend 

Explain to the group that The Children’s Society is a charity. 

Ask if anyone knows what a charity is Tell your group that 

lots of kind people choose to raise money for charities 

to help others. From putting on parties (see Community 

Christingle Party) to being sponsored to jump out of planes! 


Queen’s Badge 

Review of 2008 – 2009 

The Queen’s Badge is the highest award a member can gain, and 

the following young men gained the award in the 2008-2009 session. 

ENGLAND 

EAST ANGLIA 

NAME 

COMPANY 

Joshua Snape 1st Haverhill 

David Nicholson 1st Huntingdon 

Andrew Sweetenham 1st Huntingdon 

Ben Hazledon 1st Huntingdon 

Christopher Numm 1st Mid Suffolk 

Jonathan Walley 4th Norwich 

Benjamin Lawrence 4th Norwich 

Daniel Lawrence 4th Norwich 

Stephen Spaull 23rd South East Essex 

EAST MIDLANDS 

NAME 

COMPANY 

Martin Field 

5th Nottingham 

Robert Milton 8th Nottingham 

James M Ducker 16th Nottingham 

Thomas Stokes 32nd Nottingham 

Dominic Turner 32nd Nottingham 

Dafydd Williams 32nd Nottingham 

Matthew Foster 32nd Nottingham 

Elliot Green 

32nd Nottingham 

Jack Maloney 32nd Nottingham 

Mitchell Jones 32nd Nottingham 

Lewis Roots 


Liam Kitt 


Matthew Brooks 39th Nottingham 

Yusuf Mosager 42nd Nottingham 

Jonathan Decker 1st Oadby 

Adam Cook 

1st Oadby 

Matthew Wyatt 2nd Sutton-in-Ashfield 

Steven Bunning 2nd Sutton-in-Ashfield 

Christopher Portman 2nd Sutton-in-Ashfield 

Christopher Luke 2nd Sutton-in-Ashfield 

LONDON 

NAME 

COMPANY 

Julian Onyelekere 4th Barking 

Dylan Green 4th Ealing 

Tom Middleton 4th Ealing 

Thomas Porter 4th Ealing 

Christopher Read 4th Ealing 

Yohan Dharmachandran 5th Ealing 

Andrew Johnson 10th Ealing 

Elliot Bartle 

10th Ealing 

East Midland District 

Pictured are the young men from the East Midlands 

District at the Queen’s Badge Presentations held at 

RAFC Cranwell. 


Stuart Shannon 1st Gillingham 

Robert Simon 1st Gillingham 

David Shannon 1st Gillingham 

Andrew Kingston 4th Hillingdon 

Theophilus Fasanya 5th London 

Carl Humphries 5th London 

Hayden Williams 10th London 

David Oyenuga 10th London 

Daniel Balegun 10th London 

Robert Trehy 1st Richmond 

Simon Lloyd 

9th Waltham Forest 

NORTH OF ENGLAND 

NAME 

COMPANY 

Jamie Tower 

2nd Consett 

Andrew Wade 2nd Consett 

Ben Nelson 

1st Darlington 

Adam Laidlaw 1st Darlington 

Michael Morris 8th Gateshead 

Oliver Woodhall 18th Gateshead 

Paul Emington 1st Morpeth 

Christopher Shepherd 1st Newton Aycliffe 

Ricki-Lee Harrison 15th South Shields 

NORTH WEST 

NAME 

COMPANY 

Paul Malley 

1st Ashton in Makerfield 

Joseph Hacker 1st Burton in Kendall 

Daniel Goodison 12th Liverpool 

Elliott Paterson 12th Liverpool 

Mark Fidler 

35th Liverpool 

Ashley Shackell 35th Liverpool 

Ian Crawford 35th Liverpool 

Michael Goodwin 48th Liverpool 

Philip Hughes 48th Liverpool 

Michael Bell 


Timothy Bell 


Daniel Jarmin 1st Morecambe & 

Heysham 

David Morris 1st Morecambe & 

Heysham 

James Dawson 1st Ormskirk 

Andrew Ranson 1st Ormskirk 

Robert Simmons 1st Oswaldtwistle 

Jack Shuttleworth 1st Oswaldtwistle 

Aiden Tate 

1st Rishton 

Ewan Linden 2nd Rochdale 

Nathan Coates 2nd Rochdale 

Aaron Calvert 3rd Trafford 

Ryan Curphy 12th Wigan 

William Fielding 12th Wigan 

Liam Jayne 

12th Wigan 

Matthew Peacock 12th Wigan 

Luke Sherwin 12th Wigan 

SOUTH MIDLANDS 

NAME 

COMPANY 

Matthew Gaunt 3rd Bedford 

Stephen Miller 1st Holmer Green 

James Sempill 1st Holmer Green 

Stephen Grundey 1st Holmer Green 

Daniel Douglas 1st Holmer Green 

James Cruttenden 1st Holmer Green 

Pictured are the young men from the West Midland 

District who were presented with their Queen’s 

Badges by the Brigade Secretary. 

Scott Pickering 1st Kempston 

Nathan Davis 2nd Luton 

Jonas Imulani 22nd Luton 

Adam Benjamin 22nd Luton 

Warren Mayes 7th Northampton 

Kris Holland 

7th Northampton 

Ben Jones 

7th Northampton 

Joe Harrison 11th Northampton 

Matthew Exton 22nd Northampton 

Andrew Padington 22nd Northampton 

SOUTHERN 

NAME 

COMPANY 

Owen Smith 

2nd Burgess Hill 

Joseph Stenning 2nd Burgess Hill 

Lee Collier 

1st Margate 

Tim Shingles 1st Margate 

Robert Malbon 1st Margate 

Phillip Moffat 1st Newbury 

Nathan Gregory 1st Thatcham 

Matthew Collinson 4th Woking 

WEST MIDLANDS 

NAME 

COMPANY 

Robert Andrew 5th Birmingham 

Clive Haslam 8th Birmingham 

Benjamin Fowler 8th Birmingham 

Stephen Knox 8th Birmingham 

Antony Hardy 31st Birmingham 

Andrew Barrow 33rd Birmingham 

Stephen Baker 35th Birmingham 

Alexander Woolgar 59th Birmingham 

Adam Garghan 73rd Birmingham 

Nicholas Bates 2nd Burntwood 

Adam Moran 1st Chasetown 

Nicholas Sargent 1st Cheslyn Hay 

Liam Kennedy 1st Cheslyn Hay 

Christopher Austin 8th North Staffs 

Alan Wrench 20th North Staffs 

Adam Luto 

34th North Staffs 

Thomas Collins 12th West Bromwich 

Nathan Richards 12th West Bromwich 

Alexander Collins 12th West Bromwich 

Reuban Peumalu 12th West Bromwich 

Christopher Jones 10th Wolverhampton 

Joe Dugmore 10th Wolverhampton 

WEST OF ENGLAND 

NAME 

COMPANY 

Paul Coney 

3rd Bridgwater 

Andrew Hole 3rd Bridgwater 

James Gillard 3rd Bridgwater 

Daniel Buller 3rd Bridgwater 

James Welch 4th Bristol 

Fraser Middel 4th Bristol 

Joshua Cook 4th Bristol 

David Harris 

4th Bristol 

Mark Jones 

20th Bristol 

Daniel Davis 10th Exeter 

Tom Bullock 

3rd Yeovil

YORKSHIRE & HUMBERSIDE 

NAME 

COMPANY 

Matthew Parker 19th Bradford 

Adam Young 2nd Cleethorpes 

Stephen Cant 6th Grimsby 

Andrew Murgatroyd 2nd Halifax 

Richard Gill 

16th Halifax 

John Crabtree 18th Halifax 

Jonathan Ward 4th Huddersfield 

Michael Braithwaite 5th Hull 

Pictured are the young men from the Yorkshire & 

Humberside District who were presented with their 

Queen’s Badges by the Vice Lord Lieutenant for West 

Yorkshire, Mr John Brennan OBE. 

Simon Austin 

Ashley Kemp 

Owen Hughes 

Mathew Nichols 

David McBride 

Benjamin Neal 

Elliot Banks 

Andrew Judge 

James Oakes 

Christopher Hulley 

17th Hull 

17th Hull 

24th Hull 

7th Leeds 

2nd Scarborough 

2nd Scarborough 

5th Scarborough 

20th Sheffield 

20th Sheffield 

23rd Sheffield 


NAME 

Adam Currie 

Alan McCann 

Nathan Milligan 

Alistair Bell 

Alex Baird 

Jason Clugston 

Adam Hall 

Matthew McKeown 

Matthew Goodman 

Evan Cusick 

Jonathan Martin 

Niall Walker 

Keith Fulton 

Steven Healy 

Aaron Dunlop 

David Dunlop 

Jason Simpson 

Timothy McCollum 

Stuart Farquhar 

Samuel Lockhart 

Janusz McNeill 

Gareth Irwin 

Richard Irwin 

Andrew Scott 

Ryan Cherry 

Scott Hill 

Ryan Irvine 

Mark Willis 

Andrew Brown 

Jonathan Mullan 

Peter McAvoy 

David Magill 

Gareth McCandless 

Ryan Skelly 

Samuel McCormick 

COMPANY 

1st Annaghmore 



1st Ballyclare 

3rd Ballyclare 




1st Ballycraigy 

1st Ballylinney 



3rd Ballymena 

3rd Ballymena 

1st Ballymoney 



2nd Ballymoney 

2nd Ballynahinch 



1st Balteagh 

1st Balteagh 

1st Balteagh 

1st Bangor 

1st Bangor 

1st Bangor 

1st Bangor 

2nd Bangor 

2nd Bangor 

12th Bangor 

3rd Belfast 

3rd Belfast 

20th Belfast 

58th Belfast 

Kyle Magee 

1st Cairnalbana 

Joshua Rea 

1st Cairnalbana 

Michael Armstrong 8th Carrickfergus 

Simon Clarke 8th Carrickfergus 

Simon Kerr 

1st Castlecaulfield 

Leslie Gregg 1st Castledawson 

Adam Buchanan 1st Castlederg 

Glen Torrens 1st Castlederg 

John Catterson 2nd Castlederg 

James Taylor 1st Coleraine 

Michael Wallace 1st Coleraine 

Andrew Boyd 2nd Coleraine 

Andrew Cunning 2nd Coleraine 

Brent Haslett 2nd Coleraine 

Conor McMullan 2nd Coleraine 

Christopher Cunningham 5th Coleraine 

Craig McKenzie 1st Cookstown 

Kyle Irwin 

1st Culnady 

William Sufferin 1st Culnady 

Matthew Craig 1st Donemana 

Aaron Hamilton 1st Dromara 

Robin Harte 

1st Dromara 

Ben Cartwright 1st Drumachose 

Matthew Haslett 1st Drumachose 

Richard Stewart 1st Drumcree 

Charles Blair 1st Drumreagh 

Samuel Campbell 1st Drumreagh 

Marc Hegarty 1st Drumreagh 

Stuart Mullan 1st Dungiven 

Sam Cooke 

1st Faughanvale 

Alex Davidson 1st Faughanvale 

Richard Keys 1st Faughanvale 

Harry McCullagh 1st Faughanvale 

Filipe Lamont 1st Glenwherry 

David McIlwaine 1st Glenwherry 

Philip Catherwood 1st Greenisland 

Jonathan Duddy 1st Greenisland 

Aynsley Gray 1st Greenisland 

Mark Bleakley 1st Irvinestown 

James Fallis 

1st Irvinestown 

Mark Gibson 1st Irvinestown 

David Glover 1st Irvinestown 

Kristofer Kinnear 1st Irvinestown 

Darren Wilson 1st Irvinestown 

Christopher Coulter 1st Kilbride 

Andrew McNeill 1st Kilbride 

Lindsay Beck 1st Kilkeel 

Mark Cromie 1st Kilkeel 

James Patterson 1st Killead 

Ross McKane 1st Killinchy 

Alan Stewart 1st Killinchy 

Andrew Gilmore 1st Kilrea 

Michael Knox 1st Larne 

Lee Millar 

1st Larne 

Michael Platten 1st Larne 

David Swann 1st Larne 

Adam Keys 

1st Limavady 

Connor McGoldrick 2nd Limavady 

Ryan Montgomery 2nd Limavady 

Jonathan Allen 2nd Lisburn 

Mark Hutchinson 2nd Lisburn 

Adam Glass 

3rd Lisburn 

Christopher Adams 5th Lisburn 

Andrew Cummings 5th Lisburn 

Jonathan Harrison 5th Lisburn 

Aaron Beattie 4th Londonderry 

David Graham 4th Londonderry 

Gareth Smith 4th Londonderry 

Adam Smyth 4th Londonderry 

Jonathan Wilson 4th Londonderry 

Neil Cunningham 1st Loughaghery 

William Galbraith 1st Loughaghery 

Christopher Jones 1st Loughaghery 

Paul Calvert 

3rd Lurgan 

6th Newtownards 

Six members of the 6th Newtownards Company were 

presented with their Queen’s Badges by Northern 

Ireland’s Minister for Health, Michael McGimpsey, 

MLA. 

Patrick Craig 3rd Lurgan 

Marc Fleming 1st Magheramason 

Jonathan Rutherford 1st Magheramason 

Philip Hutchinson 1st Mountjoy 

Reece Killen 1st Mountjoy 

David Matthews 1st Mountjoy 

Simon Kerr 

1st Moy 

James McClure 1st Moy 

Nathan McClenaghan 2nd Newtownabbey 

Gareth McKeown 2nd Newtownabbey 

Michael Crossan 3rd Newtownabbey 

Daniel Kilpatrick 3rd Newtownabbey 

Richard Smyth 3rd Newtownabbey 

Samuel Dundee 4th Newtownabbey 

David Jamison 4th Newtownabbey 

Craig Edwards 7th Newtownabbey 

James Wilson 7th Newtownabbey 

Ross Scott 

8th Newtownabbey 

Jordan Watson 8th Newtownabbey 

Jonathan Luke 10th Newtownabbey 

Philip Stewart 10th Newtownabbey 

Simon Frazer 16th Newtownabbey 

Jonathan McMullan 16th Newtownabbey 

Gareth Moore 16th Newtownabbey 

Gareth Brown 6th Newtownards 

Peter Maxwell 6th Newtownards 

Adam Miles 

6th Newtownards 

Simon McMorran 6th Newtownards 

Glenn McNamara 6th Newtownards 

Andrew McNeill 6th Newtownards 

Michael Culbert 8th Newtownards 

Alister Barton 1st Pettigo 

David Fitzpatrick 1st Pettigo 

Andrew Loane 1st Pettigo 

Christopher Lowry 1st Pettigo 

Adam Wray 

1st Pettigo 

David Cox 

1st Portadown 

David Meek 

2nd Portadown 

Craig Patterson 2nd Portadown 

John Robb 

2nd Portadown 

Andrew Reid 2nd Route 

Thomas Skelton 2nd Route 

Mark Campbell 3rd Route 

David Smyth 3rd Route 

Graham Thompson 3rd Route 

William Beattie 9th Route 

Samuel Bellingham 9th Route 

Joshua Griffin 9th Route 

Kenneth McAneaney 9th Route 

Timothy McCurdy 9th Route 

Peter Gilliland 1st Saintfield 

Ryan Woods 1st Saintfield 

Darren Ferguson 1st Stewartstown 

Paul Leslie 

1st Stewartstown 

Roland Millar 1st Stewartstown 

Glenn Henry 1st Tobermore 


1st Bearsden 

Three members of the 1st Bearsden Company were 

presented with their Queen’s Badges by Rear Admiral 

Mike Gregory, Lord Lieutenant of Dunbartonshire. 

Scotland 

NAME 

COMPANY 

Gary Patterson 1st Bearsden 

Ross Kirkwood 1st Bearsden 

Iain Howe 

1st Bearsden 

Iain Sharp 

1st Bearsden 

Gregor Chappelle 1st Old Kilpatrick 

David Campbell 1st Old Kilpatrick 

Andrew McDermid 1st Vale of Leven 

Robbie Maltman 1st Vale of Leven 

Craig Gillespie 1st Vale of Leven 

Gavin McWilliam 1st Vale of Leven 

Alan Adair 1st Campsie 

Gareth Ramsay 1st Condorrat 

Ross McFarlane 1st Chryston 

Mark Gammie 1st Cumbernauld 

Calum McDougall 1st Cumbernauld 

Neil Campbell 1st Cumbernauld 

Craig Figures 1st Torrance 

Kevin O’Donnell 2nd Cumbernauld 

Allistair Cruickshank 2nd Cumbernauld 

Lewis Dalgetty 1st Loanhead 

Andrew Mackenzie 1st Loanhead 

Ross Sinclair 1st Loanhead 

Liam Anderson 10th Leith 

Andrew Dove 10th Leith 

Calum Doyle 10th Leith 

Bruce Barclay 12th Leith 

Michael Ewing 13th Edinburgh 

Craig Shiells 41st Edinburgh 

Kevin Backe 41st Edinburgh 

Alastair Ritchie 61st Edinburgh 

David New 61st Edinburgh 

Adam Braby 61st Edinburgh 

Andrew MacDonald 63rd Edinburgh 

Gary McCaskell 63rd Edinburgh 

Andrew Mooney 63rd Edinburgh 

Daniel Mackenzie 65th Edinburgh 

Logan Russell 65th Edinburgh 

Graeme Ormiston 3rd Galashiels 

Rory Hancock 3rd Galashiels 

James Haining 3rd Galashiels 

Michael Miller 3rd Galashiels 

Craig Frater 3rd Galashiels 

James Connor 2nd Linlithgow 

Euan Rankine 2nd Linlithgow 

Gordon Dalgleish 2nd Linlithgow 

Scott Chalmers 2nd Linlithgow 

Greg Colquhoun 2nd Linlithgow 

Callum Pyper 5th Livingston 

Kevin Farquhar 5th Livingston 

Matthew Corner 5th Livingston 


Ian Marr 

1st Uphall 

Stephen Cullen 9th Glasgow 

Parasutharan Sivapatham 

9th Glasgow 

Jonathan Lindsay 12th Glasgow 

David Smith 16th Glasgow 

Scott Clarke 25th Glasgow 

Scott Ritchie 25th Glasgow 

Fraser Mackay 27th Glasgow 

Martin Stewart 27th Glasgow 

Scott Campbell 60th Glasgow 

Neil Greenhorn 60th Glasgow 

Mark Regan 60th Glasgow 

Steven Mair 72nd Glasgow 

Craig Barbour 79th Glasgow 

Greig Cunningham 79th Glasgow 

Donald Lundie 79th Glasgow 

Jonathan McKinney 79th Glasgow 

Scott Sutherland 79th Glasgow 

Iain MacGregor 111th Glasgow 

Lewis McCabe 118th Glasgow 

Ross McIntyre 118th Glasgow 

Glenn Allan 128th Glasgow 

Andrew MacLean 128th Glasgow 

Scott McInnes 128th Glasgow 

Mark Reynolds 128th Glasgow 

Peter Shankland 128th Glasgow 

Calum Shields 128th Glasgow 

David Coull 137th Glasgow 

Mark Woods 137th Glasgow 

Adam Wilson 145th Glasgow 

Luke Muir 

182nd Glasgow 

Stewart Aitken 195th Glasgow 

David Hendry 195th Glasgow 

Jordan Samson 195th Glasgow 

Stewart Whitton 195th Glasgow 

Sam Lland 200th Glasgow 

Colin Smith 200th Glasgow 

Chris Shearer 205th Glasgow 

James Miller 223rd Glasgow 

Scott Linich 231st Glasgow 

Murray Scott 231st Glasgow 

Callum Turner 231st Glasgow 

Greg Wilkie 231st Glasgow 

Barry Cathie 246th Glasgow 

Daniel Johnson 246th Glasgow 

Graeme Leask 246th Glasgow 

Peter Sutherland 268th Glasgow 

Darren Dockrell 4th East Kilbride 

Craig Drummond 4th East Kilbride 

Lewis Ferguson 4th East Kilbride 

Stuart McKinnon 4th East Kilbride 

Ben Hardie 1st New Monkland 

Craig Salisbury 1st New Monkland 

Christopher Fenn 1st Viewpark 

Darren Smillie 1st Viewpark 

Andrew Martin 1st Viewpark 

Graeme Martin 1st Viewpark 

Christopher Knudsen 1st Viewpark 

Andrew Leaker 10th Coatbridge 

Craig Ross 10th Coatbridge 

Mark Lynn 10th Coatbridge 

James Woods 10th Coatbridge 

Scott Carr 

15th Coatbridge 

David Strang 1st Dalserf 

Scott Airey 1st Dalserf 

Alistair Stewart 12th Hamilton 

Colin Murray 12th Hamilton 

Allan Robertson 7th/16th Motherwell 

Craig Scott 7th/16th Motherwell 

Jordan Price 7th/16th Motherwell 

Scott McLelland 7th/16th Motherwell 

Robert Johnstone 7th/16th Motherwell 

Kyle Grier 

7th/16th Motherwell 

Daniel Baker 7th/16th Motherwell 

Greg McLaughlan 13th Motherwell 

Graeme Brown 13th Motherwell 

Jamie Buchanan 13th Motherwell 

Ross MacDonald 13th Motherwell 

Jonathan Boal 13th Motherwell 

Steven Walker 15th Motherwell 

Graham Lang 1st Cambusnethan 

Craig Boyd 1st Cambusnethan 

Greg Meikle 1st Kirkmuirhill 

David Robb 1st Law 

Christian Stenhouse 1st Law 

Jonathon Chalmers 1st Newmains 

David Baillie 1st Newmains 

Fraser Dickson 4th Carluke 

Barry Spence 4th Carluke 

Fraser Russell 4th Carluke 

David Walker 4th Carluke 

Robert Gibb 4th Carluke 

Steven Chalmers 4th Carluke 

Andrew MacKay 4th Carluke 

Christopher Ferrier 1st Carnoustie 

Greg Ryder 1st Monifieth 

Liam Boath 1st Monifieth 

Andrew Simpson 1st Monifieth 

Mathew Boath 1st Monifieth 

Gary Milne 2nd Forfar 

Ewan Greenhill 2nd Forfar 

Scott Findlay 6th/8th Dundee 

David Harris 6th/8th Dundee 

Jaq Inglis 

6th/8th Dundee 

Michael McKelvie 6th/8th Dundee 

Neil McWilliam 6th/8th Dundee 

Aaron Peters 6th/8th Dundee 

Stephen Whyte 6th/8th Dundee 

Liam Elder 6th/8th Dundee 

Steven Stuart 12th Dundee 

Scott Wallace 1st Tulliallan 

Robert Cunningham 1st Tulliallan 

Scott Reston 1st Tulliallan 

Andrew Wedge 3rd Dunfermline 

Sam Fenwick 3rd Dunfermline 

Graham Scott 1st Falkirk 

Fraser Thomson 1st Falkirk 

Grant Profit 1st Falkirk 

Russell Croal 1st Falkirk 

Christopher Walls 1st Grangemouth 

Colin Scott 1st Grangemouth 

Marc Stewart 1st Grangemouth 

Christopher Nelson 1st Haggs 

Christopher Carr 1st Larbert 

Darren Dibdin 1st Larbert 

Kevin Purves 1st Polmont 

Calum Rankine 1st Polmont 

Darren Paterson 2nd Polmont 

Jamie Lockhart 2nd Polmont 

Alister Quinney 3rd Larbert 

Ross McInnes 3rd Larbert 

Christopher Hepburn 4th Falkirk 

Andrew McLean 7th Falkirk 

Calum McLean 7th Falkirk 

Jamie McLean 7th Falkirk 

Darren Robertson 7th Grangemouth 

Aaron Dow 7th Grangemouth 

Ross Mitchell 7th Grangemouth 

Blair Gallagher 7th Grangemouth 

Andrew Clark 4th Perth 

Andrew Watt 8th Stirling 

Robert Kimmitt 8th Stirling 

Gordon Ferguson 8th Stirling

Keiran Penny 11th Stirling 

Andrew Nicol 11th Stirling 

Andrew Butchart 25th Stirling 

Connor Wilson 25th Stirling 

Leo Brown 26th Stirling 

Callum Marshall 26th Stirling 

Callum Boa 26th Stirling 

Sandy Duncan 1st Inverurie 

Andrew Yule 1st Inverurie 

Rory Arbuthnott 1st Newtonhill 

Daniel Moir 1st Newtonhill 

Matthew Dickie 1st Newtonhill 

Lewis Will 

1st Newtonhill 

Robert Peattie 1st Newtonhill 

Jamie McGee 1st Newtonhill 

Keith Low 


Andrew Duncan 1st Newtonhill 

Fraser Mackay 1st Portlethen 

Stuart Allan 1st Portlethen 

Thomas Stephen 1st Portlethen 

Stuart Craig 1st Portlethen 


Ross Moir 

1st Portlethen 

Eight members of the 1st Newtonhill Company were presented with their Queen’s Badges to mark the end of a 

Cameron Strachan 1st Skene 

memorable session. 

Grant McGregor 1st Skene 

Simon Davidson 1st Skene 

Hayden Johnston 1st Girvan 

Stephen Bolton 12th Greenock 

Steven Burnett 1st Skene 

Kieran Farrell 1st Girvan 

Gavin Fairweather 12th Greenock 

Craig Burnett 1st Skene 

Jamie Duncan 1st Troon 

Stuart Kennedy 12th Greenock 

David Young 1st Stonehaven Greg Goodall 1st Troon 

Ryan Lennox 1st Largs 

Gary Bruce 1st Udny Green Scott McCutcheon 1st Troon 

David Purdie 1st Largs 

Peter Hutton 1st Udny Green Graeme Moffat 1st Troon 

John Robertson 1st Largs 

Stuart Shand 3rd Aberdeen Jack Philip 1st Troon 

Joshua Nordbo 1st Largs 

Finlay Mudie 48th Aberdeen Stephen Waddell 1st Troon 

Graham Millar 1st Largs 

David Shepherd 68th Aberdeen Lloyd Smith 1st Troon 

Sean Hunter 1st Largs 

Ross Bligdon 1st Banff 

Stuart Nunan 8th Ayr 

Alistair Deans 1st Largs 

Christopher Farquhar 1st Buckie 

Shaun Sutherland 8th Ayr 

Scott Davis 1st Largs 

Matthew Warren 1st Buckie 

Scott McClymont 8th Ayr 

Ross Boswell 1st Largs 

Ryan Taylor 1st Buckie 

Craig Cobbledick 12th Ayr 

Neil Menzies 1st Largs 

Joel Reid 

1st Buckie 

Gregor Queen 17th Ayr 

Steven Bonn 1st Largs 

Connor Murdoch 1st Buckie 

Jonathan Watters 1st Stewarton Andrew Gilmour 1st Largs 

Sean Mair 

1st Buckie 

Ross Local 1st Stewarton Robbie Miller 4th Irvine 

Gavin Godsman 1st Buckie 

Alistair McKenna 1st Stewarton Peter Martin 5th Irvine 

Euan Cross 1st Buckie 

Paul Stephen 1st Stewarton Oliver Wilson 1st Bishopton 

Connor Cowie 1st Buckie 

Daniel Pitt 

1st Stewarton Thomas Nicholl 1st Bishopton 

Richard McIntosh 1st Buckie 

Evan Beggs 2nd Kilmarnock Jeffrey Webster 1st Bridge of Weir 

Jason Gordon 1st Buckie 

Michael Rutherford 2nd New Cumnock Colin Guthrie 1st Bridge of Weir 

Andrew McNab 1st New Deer Cameron Paterson 2nd New Cumnock Callum Hawkins 1st Bridge of Weir 

Gregor Brodie 1st New Deer Ross Murray 2nd New Cumnock Finlay McKenzie 1st Bridge of Weir 

Matthew Capel 1st New Deer Conar Kerr 2nd New Cumnock Connor Stevenson 1st Bridge of Weir 

Steven Muirden 1st Nairn 

Adam Greig 2nd New Cumnock Stuart Mathie 1st Bridge of Weir 

Andrew McLaren 1st Nairn 

Colin Baird 2nd Sanquhar Alan Wilson 1st Bridge of Weir 

Cameron Mackenzie 2nd Fort William Andrew Usher 2nd Sanquhar Christopher Palmer 1st Elderslie 

Anders Hanson 2nd Fort William Iain Barnard 3rd Galston 

Craig McNaught 1st Elderslie 

Calum McIntosh 3rd Inverness Ryan Hogg 4th/5th Kilmarnock Greg Campbell 1st Elderslie 

Stefan Hunter 3rd Inverness Craig Coughtrie 4th/5th Kilmarnock Fraser Pearson 1st Erskine 

Calum Fraser 3rd Inverness Marc Stevenson 1st Greenock Scott Millar 1st Erskine 

Ruari Benson 3rd Inverness Karl Stummer 1st Greenock Craig Hawthorn 1st Houston 

Cameron Nelson 3rd Inverness Christopher Lawrence 2nd Gourock Adam MacAlister 1st Houston 

Asa Black 

1st Forres 

Ross Aitken 2nd Gourock Douglas Holmes 1st Houston 

Craig Macdonald 1st Forres 

Ross Jackson 2nd Gourock Finlay Fraser 1st Houston 

Jonathan Bisset 4th Lossiemouth Andrew McKelvie 2nd Gourock Michael Cumine 1st Houston 

Jonross Williamson 1st Lerwick 

Robert Baxter 2nd Port Glasgow Martin Whyte 1st Kilbarchan 

Scott Evans 1st Lerwick 

Louie Hoodless 2nd Port Glasgow Billy McKendrick 1st Kilbarchan 

Callum MacGregor 

Craig Jamieson 2nd Port Glasgow David Stark 1st Kilbarchan 

1st Sandwick/Cunningsburgh David McGachy 2nd Port Glasgow Ross Miller 1st Neilston 

Daniel Boyd 1st Alloway 

Alan Hendry 2nd Port Glasgow Steven Kerr 1st Neilston 

Christian Donaldson 1st Alloway 

Darrin Ballingall 2nd Port Glasgow Mark Waldron 1st Uplawmoor 

Andrew Jarvie 1st Alloway 

Neil Bowes 3rd Greenock Ben Rodger 1st Uplawmoor 

Andrew Ronning 1st Alloway 

Paul Branchfield 3rd Greenock Mark Webster 2nd Barrhead 

Andrew Lang 1st Alloway 

Euan Ross 3rd Gourock 

Blair Cochran 3rd Johnstone 

Michael Lamont 1st Alloway 

Euan McLean 3rd Gourock 

David Ashton 15th Paisley 

Olof Robertson 1st Alloway 

Randeep Dhesi 3rd Gourock 

Gregory Rusca 2nd Dumfries 

Kristopher Sharkey 1st Girvan 

Ewan McKechnie 3rd Gourock 

Iain Rowan 2nd Dumfries 


Can your group think of any good ways to raise money Maybe 

they have done things for other charities or at school Write 

down any good suggestions for later use. 

Part 3: Shining the Light 

Hand out an outline of a candle to each child and ask them 

to colour it in bright colours (see Activity Specific Resources). 

Whilst handing them out, tell the children that Christingle is a 

celebration that happens in every community in the country to 

raise money for The Children’s Society. See if they remember/ 

know the symbolism of Christingle (see Exploring Christingle). 

Once the candles are all coloured in they can be stuck around 

the outside of the circle representing the community, with the 

children inside. Tell the children that the candles will now shine 

light on all the children in their community and help to make 

them happy – just like Christingle. 

At this point, you could say a prayer with your group for 

disadvantaged children in their community. You may also like 

to sing a song (see Create-a-Christingle magazine – Pages 28 

and 34 for suggestions). Perhaps your group could learn and 

sing the Christingle song ‘Hope of Heaven’ (see Activity Specific 

Resources). 

Give each child a collection candle to take home and ask them to 

fill it with pennies, if possible. They can also be given a Christingle 

sticker to wear home for taking part in the activity. 

Safety Issues/Risk Assessments: 

Safety around using scissors 

Tips/Advice: 

The finished picture could be displayed on the wall at any 

Christingle celebration you may be involved with. 


A wealth of information on The Children’s Society is available to 

support this session: 

o The Children’s Society videos – www.youtube.com/ 

childrenssociety (Recommended for a younger age group – 

Sophie’s Story (Mentoring) and Emma’s Story (Bullying). 

o Kids Zone – www.childrenssociety.org.uk/kids_zone 

o The Children’s Society website – look up to see the nearest 

project to your Company 

o My Life 4 Schools website (schools resource) – 

www.mylife4schools.co.uk 


Society; visit www.christingle.org/boysbrigade or call 

0845 600 8585: 

o Create-a-Christingle magazine – including candle outlines for 

colouring (Page 22) and project cards detailing information on 

The Children’s Society’s work in communities around the UK 

(Pages 10-12) 

o Christingle stickers – to give to all children taking part in the 

session 

o Giro – to pay in any money raised (one will automatically be 

sent with any orders for materials) 

o Collection candles – making it fun for children to collect 

o Sponsorship forms – should any of the children wish to do a 

sponsored event for The Children’s Society 



Community Christingle Party 

COMMUNITY 

Aim: To join together with your wider 

community at Christmas time through 

Christingle and help raise money for 

The Children’s Society’s work with 

disadvantaged children 

Time: 1 hour (variable) 


Equipment: 

• Pens/pencils 

• Paper 

• CD player 

• See activities for 

extra equipment 


Part 1: Planning Your Party 

A Christingle party offers a real opportunity to reach out to the 

wider community at Christmas time. Ask the children who they 

would like to invite and draw up a list. Maybe family, friends, 

other Boys’ Brigade Companies or uniformed youth groups in 

the area 

Christingle invitations are included within The Children’s 

Society’s Create-a-Christingle magazine (see Activity Specific 

Resources). If photocopied in advance, the 

children can fill in the invitations and help hand them out 

to those you agree to invite. 

Perhaps the children could divide into groups, each 

taking a different area of the planning. 


What music would they like to play What food and drink should 

be served What role will each group take at the party Can they 

talk to their guests about Christingle and The Children’s Society 

Part 2: Fundraising for Children 

This is a great opportunity to fundraise for The Children’s Society 

– working with the children and your community to raise money 

for disadvantaged children at Christmas time. 

Ask your group if they can think of ways to raise money for The 

Children’s Society at their Christingle party. You might get some 

great ideas! Here are a few to get your started: 

Selling items – Invited guests can either make a donation to 

The Children’s Society on entry or pay for any food or drink at the 

party. You could involve the children in deciding what to sell and 

how much you would charge for each item. 

Collecting – Your group could hand out The Children’s 

Society’s collection envelopes to all those attending the party 

and collect any filled envelopes at the end. If you have worked 

with your group on Activity 2 the children could tell guests in 

their words about the work of The Children’s Society. 

Each member of your group could take a collection candle 

home, with the tasks of filling it with coins. Ideas for collecting 

change are included in the ‘Christingle Countdown’ section of 

The Children’s Society’s Create-a-Christingle magazine (Page 

23). 

Passing the light – If the children’s parents are at the party, 

they could promise to carry out some ‘good deeds’ at home in 

exchange for their parents donating to The Children’s Society. 

Tidy bedrooms, washing up etc! 

Part 3: Food 

Making Christingle foods to either eat or sell is a great way to 

help the children get creative. 

The following suggestions are very quick and easy for the 

children to make. If you choose not to make food at the party, 

you could ask your group to bring food items along that they 

prepared at home in advance. 

Christingle Biscuits 

For this you will need: plain digestive biscuits, orange icing, 

red laces (sweeties) and hundreds & thousands. Each child 

can design their own biscuit Christingle with the biscuit as the 

orange. If you talk through what each element symbolises with 

the children they will in turn be able to explain this to your party 

guests. Christingle biscuits can either be sold to eat, given as a 

gift or taken home to remind people of Christingle. 

Loaded Sticks: Representing God’s Good Gifts 

For this you will need: bowls of cheese cubes and pineapple 

chunks for savoury, banana slices and marshmallows for sweet, 

cocktail sticks. Give each child a cocktail stick and access to 

each of the bowls. Ask them to decide if they would like to make a 

sweet or savoury loaded stick. Next they can start putting the food 

items onto their stick – suggest alternating item or leave to them to 

decide! 

Those who are not that vegetable remain seated. Whoever ends 

up without a chair/is the last person to sit then has a go at calling 

out the vegetable names. More than one vegetable can be called 

out at the same time and everyone should move at once when you 

call out ‘mixed veggies’ 

Sleeping Seeds 

Ask the children to spread out, lie down on the floor and pretend 

to be seeds sleeping in the ground during winter. Ask one child 

to move around the room and try to make any of the ‘seeds’ 

move, laugh or make any kind of sound without touching them. 

Any ‘seed’ which moves is ‘out’ and joins in trying to wake other 

‘seeds’ up. The game continues until everyone is awake or until 

the last sleeping seed is declared the winner. 

Give out Christingle stickers as prizes or to all children attending. 

Safety Issues/Risk Assessment: 

o Washing hands before handling food items 

o Safety using sharp object – cocktail sticks 

Tips/Advice: 

A Christingle party would be a great culmination of all the 

activities, but it could also be a standalone activity. If you choose 

to hold a party in isolation, it may be a good idea to take a few 

ideas from all the activities to give the children some background 

on Christingle and The Children’s Society, e.g. Making a 

Christingle, The Children’s Society etc. 

It is advised to involve the children as much as possible in the 

planning and execution of your event. 

Invite other groups, friends or schools to your party and use it 

as a recruiting event. Remember to use some of the great new 

resources available through The Boys’ Brigade. Go to www.boysbrigade.org.uk/recruitment 

and find out more. 



Society; visit www.christingle.org/boysbrigade or call 0845 

600 8585: 

o Create-a-Christingle magazine – containing Christingle 

invitations to photocopy (Page 25) and a wealth of additional 

food and games suggestions 

o Christingle stickers – to give to all children involved 

o Christingle CD – to play at your party 

o Collection candles – making it fun for young people to collect 

o Collection envelopes – to hand out to adults attending 

o Giro – to pay in any money raised (one will automatically be 

sent with any orders for materials) 



Part 4: Games 

If you would like to play games with your group at the party, either 

choose from the following or visit www.christingle.org/boysbrigade 

for more suggestions. All games are focused around the idea of 

‘God’s Good Gifts’, as represented by the four loaded cocktail 

sticks on a Christingle. 

Mixed Veggies 

Create a circle of chairs with a clear space in the middle of the 

circle and enough room for children to move. Ask the children 

to sit in the clear space in the middle of the circle of chairs. 

Going round the circle, give each child the name of one of four 

vegetables. 

Stand in the centre of the circle and call out a vegetable. Everyone 

who is that vegetable must get up and move to an empty chair. 


Around the regions 

Wales 

23rd Cardiff Group Reborn 

BB work was restarted with an Anchor Section at Cathays Methodist Church after a 

successful holiday club and the realisation that the church needed a weekly group 

to which boys could belong and have fun, develop skills and learn about Jesus. 

The section has ten enthusiastic members and it is hoped to start a Junior Section 

in the autumn and also increase the Anchor Section. 

John Chapman, 

2nd Llantwit 

Major, wins the 

Western Mail 

Cup Winner 

Congratulations from 

everyone in Cardiff 

and the Vale of 

Glamorgan area to 

this year’s winner of 

the Western Mail Cup, 

John Chapman from 

2nd Llantwit Major. 

John is an exceptional 

young man who manages to balance 

his commitments with the company, 

church, chess club and work with 

studying for 4 A-levels. When asked 

about the award John said, “It was great 

to be nominated and win, it’s a real 

honour. I’ve really enjoyed my time in 

2nd Llantwit and I hope I can give 

something back in the future.” 

England 

Don’t miss Firm Foundations 2010 

The theme for Firm Foundations 2010 will be based on iCan 

– taken from the Bible verse Phillippians Ch.4:13 ‘For I can do 

everything through Christ, who gives me strength.’ 

The event, which is jointly run by The Boys’ Brigade and 

The Girls’ Brigade England & Wales, will take place between 

Friday 28 May and Monday 31 May 2010 at Felden Lodge. 

Information has been circulated to all Captains in England 

& Wales with this Gazette, and is available for download 

on the website (www.firm-foundations.org.uk). 

It promises an action-packed weekend of worship, activities 

and performances from well-known Christian artists. 

In order to keep costs as low as possible we do not employ 

a full time administrator for Firm Foundations. In early October a 

list of times when you can speak to the Firm Foundations office 

will be published on the website, but please do help us by making 

as many enquiries as possible by e mail to firm-foundations@ 

boys-brigade.org.uk and allow as much time as possible for a 

response. Your help in this regard will be greatly appreciated. 

Northern Saints 

Northern Saints 

is a new Christian 

Festival being held 

over the August bank 

holiday weekend 

27th – 30th August 

2010, at Hollybush 

Christian Fellowship 

Centre, near Thirsk in 

North Yorkshire. 

Northern Saints is a partnership between 

The Boys’ Brigade, The Northern Dioceses 

of the Church of England and The Girls’ 

Brigade (England & Wales).Accommodation 

will be under canvas with self catering, but 

a limited range of meals will be available for 

purchase. 

The programme will include worship, sports, 

concerts, seminars and other activities and will 

cater for young people moving into school year 

7 and above. 

This will be an excellent opportunity for 

Companies unable to organise their own camp 

to give their young people an opportunity to 

explore the Christian Faith and a residential 

experience in a safe environment. 

Information has been sent with the 

October Gazette Company mailing and 

regular updates will be posted on the 

website. If you have any queries please 

contact Eric Hudson at Felden Lodge or 

email eric.hudson@boys-brigade.org.uk 

Visit the website at: 

www.northernsaints.org.uk 


Around the regions 

NORTHERN Ireland 

BELFAST BATTALION ‘TRY IT’ ADVENTURE SPORTS 

The Belfast Battalion’s ‘Try It’ Adventure Sports programme is in its second 

year and was developed to promote the Outdoor Pursuits activities the 

Battalion has to offer and meet the targets set out in the B4Sport2 Strategy. 

These exciting action packed activities range from: 

• canoeing, high ropes, indoor climbing, zip line and abseiling 

at Ganaway 

• hill walking expeditions from Shepherds Lodge to Surfing on 

the North Coast or 

• mountain Biking in the Mournes, 

• paintballing in the forests and 

• orienteering in the parks and forests of N.Ireland. 

The aim of the programme is to create opportunities for young people mainly 

from urban areas to enjoy the challenges and fun the outdoors has to offer 

and provide these young people with experiences that will make a real 

difference to their lives. 

scotland 

RECOGNITION FOR 

CARRONVALE 

PRESENTATION TO 

TOM BOYLE 

A hundred members of The 

Boys’ Brigade 

from all over Scotland and 

beyond gathered 

at the Inchyra Hotel, 

Grangemouth, to honour 

Tom Boyle as he retired after 

28 years’ service to the 

Brigade. 

Gifts of a ‘Sat Nav’ for Tom 

and jewellery for Susan, along with a cheque, were presented by 

Margaret, Lady Thurso. 

‘Carronvale House has been awarded a three star 

Group Accommodation rating from VisitScotland. After 

a lengthy application process and a huge amount of 

preparation in anticipation of the first inspection, the staff 

are delighted to have had their hard work rewarded. Ann 

Dickson, Centre Manager at Carronvale said, ‘This is 

an excellent marketing opportunity for Carronvale, apart 

from having been compared to other similar centres and 

shown that we too have excellent facilities and service, 

we can now reach a much larger network of potential 

customers. I am very proud of my staff for helping 

to achieve this and we are all very excited about the 

potential it holds for Carronvale’. 

Sir George Reid, Lord High Commissioner, inspected the Guard of Honour, provided by 

Scottish Battalions at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland 

Magic Egg Puzzle Competition 

The most recent competition for members can be found 

on http//:Scotland.boys-brigade.org.uk 


Over the years I’ve preached hundreds of sermons 

on the life of Jesus. I have just finished a two 

year preaching series in the Gospel of Luke, 

which has been fascinating and enjoyable. What has 

struck me more than anything else has been observing 

how Jesus dealt with all the different kinds of people 

he met. The disciples in the midst of all their innocent 

enthusiasm, all their confusion and misunderstandings; 

the women he allowed to sit at his feet; the gentiles, 

non-Jews and apparent enemies of the people of Israel 

whom he gave time to; his family and close friends; 

and then, the religious leaders and Roman authorities, 

centurions, Pilate, Herod and more. 

Each encounter is worth considerable reflection and much 

is learned about the way Jesus loved, accepted, challenged, 

confronted, and encouraged people. It is through this study 

into the life of Jesus that I have learned a tremendous amount 

about my life as a leader. I have learnt that above all else, the 

way I conduct my own life is far more important than anything 

else I might say or do. 

The most important element of any leader’s life is the 

management of self. If we cannot manage our own lives, 

grow in our own faith, gifts, skills and maturity then how on 

earth are we to lead others If leadership is ‘creating an 

atmosphere where people flourish’ (Jill Stamp) then I must 

take seriously my own spiritual, emotional, relational and 

physical life, recognising the potential development or 

harm I can do to those around me. 

If I am forever giving and not growing then I give up, 

exhausted. If I am forever doing, never being, then I will 

lack strength. If I am forever demanding and never 

encouraging, then I will become isolated and lonely. If I am 

forever laughing and never weeping, then I will be in danger 

of being seen as superficial. 

We know that Jesus withdrew to the mountainside; to a 

higher place to simply be, to grow, to deepen his identity with 

his father in heaven. He emerged more able to be the person 

his father called him to be, and this enabled him to deal with 

all the people he came across. I am sure this would have 

qualified him to be an excellent BB leader! 

The MOST important decision you and I can make today 

is to seek God and deepen our relationship with him. The 

ultimate impact of our ministries lay not in our abilities, gifts, 

talents or even our natural character, but in hearts that are 

truly submitted to Christ. 

Developing our personal holiness on our knees before God 

is THE most important time we can spend and yet so often the 

pace of modern life distracts, prevents or even attracts us. I 

have often wondered how Jesus would have coped with the 

temptation to switch on and watch the Ashes, Wimbledon, the 

FA Cup Final, the Masters golf, Top Gear, or whatever drives 

your desire! (NB – none of those are bad, though it really does 

depend on ‘who’ is playing in the FA Cup Final!). 

I read a book recently by Tim Chester (You Can Change, 

IVP, ISBN 978-1-84474-303-2) who speaks about those 

moments when we are particularly vulnerable to temptation, 

giving the mnemonic HALT. When we’re Hungry, Angry, 

Lonely or Tired, we are most likely to drift from our focus 

on being the child of God. We need to take special care of 

ourselves when we feel like this. 

May God bless and keep you all. 

by Rev John Stannard 


REFLECTIONS ON TWO YEARS AS PRESIDENT 

I 

t has been a 

remarkable 

privilege and 

pleasure to have 

been President 

of the Brigade 

over the last two 

years, coinciding 

as it has with 

the 125th 

anniversary. What 

a wonderful organisation, which 

has stood the test of time and of 

changes in the world. 

It is the boys, of course, who make it. 

Their enthusiasm, enjoyment, laughter 

and sheer energy make it all worthwhile 

for leaders and officers. The boys are 

our best advert and show just how good 

young people really are, and how they 

can grow up and take their place as 

citizens and leaders in our communities. 

Through the activities of the Brigade they 

learn in so many ways to gain confidence 

and self respect. To respect others and to 

learn that to lead you also need to obey 

and retain discipline. These together 

with reverence represent the objectives 

of The Boys’ Brigade, written 125 years 

ago and still relevant today. 

I have been out and about and seen an 

amazing range of activities and events, 

from BB displays in church halls, to 

receptions in Palaces and the House of 

Lords. They show two things. First, that 

the BB is in good heart, and second, that 

the community out there values the BB 

and recognises its worth. The Reception 

at Holyrood Palace would exemplify this. 

The Invitation was from George Reid, High 

Commissioner of the Church of Scotland 

to mark the 125th anniversary and was 

attended by BB people from all over the 

country. In the same way my attendance at 

band competitions and drill displays shows 

just how much is going on at local level. 

There is another part of the BB which 

supports and nurtures the Brigade, and 

that is the BB Executive, Council, and the 

regional and national offices. Those who 

are part of these and those who work 

at company level, do a huge amount of 

work to ensure that the BB continues to 

flourish and grow. Their efforts are often 

unsung and I would like to pay tribute to 

them for all the energy and care that they 

put into the BB. It is humbling to see the 

dedication and commitment they bring 

and I would like to pay tribute to these 

officers, leaders and helpers, which often 

include spouses, family and friends! 

At the end of the day the objective 

of the BB is to develop “true Christian 

manliness” in our boys. This remains 

the key part of our objective and I am 

heartened that such events as “Firm 

Foundations” and other more local events 

continue to support this aim. The role 

models of our leaders also provide such 

an important part of the process. 

It is great to be President. Let the 

adventure continue. 

President’s Commendation – Stephen Griffith 

Stephen Griffith of the 1st 

Rugby Company was 

presented with his President’s 

Commendation on 28th June 2009. 

Stephen has been a member of the 

1st Rugby Company for ten years and 

despite the daily challenges of coping 

with Asperger’s Syndrome, during this 

time his efforts, achievements and 

loyalty to the Company were rewarded 

when he received the Battalion’s Arthur 

Beauchamp Trophy, in recognition of 

qualities he showed in facing 

these challenges. 

Over the years he has grown in 

confidence and ability to become the 

young man he is today and despite his 

challenging health difficulties has shown 

great determination and total commitment 

in achieving his Queen’s Badge and has 

become a valuable leader in The Boys’ 

Brigade. He has founded Christian Unions 

in two of the town’s schools and is now 

leaving for college where he will 

be studying theology. 

Stephen has been a loyal and dedicated 

member of the 1st Rugby Company. His 

efforts, achievements and loyalty have 

remained constant and his positive, cheerful 

attitude and enthusiasm is an inspiration to 

all who know him. He is a credit to himself 

and his family and the Brigade is proud 

to have him as a member. 

Stephen Griffith 


Over the last three years, many 

of you have been supporting 

the Palm in Palm Project – a 

project that looked at The Boys’ 

Brigade family which stretches 

all around the world. 

Boys and officers around the 

UK have been learning what 

it is like to live and attend BB 

companies in other countries, with 

a focus on life in Cameroon (West 

Africa). They have been learning 

that families care, love, support 

and encourage each other, and in 

the same light, how we should be 

showing this love to our BB family 

as well. Many of you have taken 

practical steps to support our family 

in Cameroon by raising money to 

help fund the start-up of their selfsufficiency 

programmes. 

Cameroon is a very picturesque 

country with a population of around 

16 million, but life is far from troublefree. 

Cameroon has an average life 

expectancy of 46; a mortality rate for 

under 5’s of 14.9% and is a country 

where 40% of the population live 

below the national poverty line. 

Amidst all these difficulties, The Boys’ 

Brigade movement remains strong with 

around 6000 members in just over 300 

companies. 

During February half-term this year, 

I travelled back out to Cameroon to 

encourage them in their work with the 

boys and also the men’s organisations 

in the churches to support The Boys’ 

Brigade. I also wanted to see how 

they were getting on with some of the 

projects that you helped to initiate, 

and you were able to read about these 

in the April Gazette. 

This summer, a small team of young 

leaders from England and Northern 

Ireland went to Cameroon for two 

weeks. We were welcomed by Rev 

Njerou (Brigade Secretary) and Rev 

George (Brigade President) at the 

airport and they accompanied us 

throughout our stay. During the time 

we met with a lot of companies from all 

over Cameroon. We were welcomed in 

the churches and spent time chatting 

with the boys and officers to hear how 

they were getting on in their companies; 

the things that were going well, the 

difficulties they were experiencing and 

encouraging them to seek God’s help 

to overcome their problems. We also 

spent time playing games with the boys 

where football was always a favourite! 

We were able to share activities, 

ideas and games equipment with 

the officers of the companies. 

We were also invited to the 

first ever National BB Camp in Mankon 

Baptist High School (NW Cameroon), 

where just over 300 boys and officers 

attended. It was a very busy programme 

of devotions, singing and dancing, a drill 

competition, a parade to Mankon Palace 

to meet the Fon (the Chief of the area), 

sports and evening talent/entertainment 

programmes led by boys from numerous 

companies – including us! Our team was 

invited to lead singing and games and 

very quickly I may never march with the 

infantry became the favourite song of 

the BB in Cameroon! 

At the start of the second week, we 

spent time at the BB Farm Project in 

Mbaw, in the Sopp region of Northern 

Cameroon. We helped the local BB boys 

clear away overgrown grass from around 

the 500 palm seedlings. This land, labour, 

tools, fertiliser and seedlings have all 

been sponsored and provided by you, 

companies from around the UK who 


have been raising money. 

Despite a few setbacks 

along the way (including a 

small fire and a dispute with 

a local farmer whose cows 

appear to have a taste for 

palm seedlings!), the area 

is now fenced and secure. 

In around 5-7 years’ time, 

these palms should start 

to bear fruit from which 

palm oil can be produced 

for sale locally. The income should allow 

BB Cameroon to make a dramatic change 

in its work with young people. 

Towards the end of the trip we had time 

to see some of the sights of Douala, Tiko, 

Mutengenne and the beautiful beaches of 

Limbe, as well as the Del Monte banana 

plantation, which supplies Asda, Tesco 

and Sainsburys in the UK! 

The theme for the camp and also 

the sermons I was asked to preach 

in Fountain Baptist Church (Ndop) 

and Victoria Baptist Church (Limbe) 

was Philippians 2:12-16, where Paul 

encourages the church at Philippi, and 

us, to “shine like stars in the universe as 

you hold out the word of life”. For me, 

that is one of the big lessons I will take 

from the trip. Everyone we met in the BB 

in Cameroon had the same goal as us, 

the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom. 

However, it was so obvious how on 

fire for God they were, how much they 

depended on God for his provision 

and protection and the importance 

they placed on devotions within their 

company programme. They certainly 

were shining like stars and their boys 

couldn’t have missed them! It really 

challenged me to rethink the place I give 

God in my personal life and also on my 

company parade night – do I really give 

enough time to teach my boys about the 

Good News of Jesus Christ before we 

dive head first into games and activities 

Stephen Cowden 

Palm in Palm Project Coordinator 

Thoughts from the team… 

It was great finally to see the palm 

tree plantation in Mbaw after the 

years of planning, discussion and hardwork 

put in by all involved in the palm 

in palm team. 

The trip was very eye-opening as it 

was difficult to imagine beforehand what to 

expect upon arriving in Cameroon. What I 

did encounter was a very dedicated Boys’ 

Brigade, with strong leaders and committed 

captains. The boys really showed us 

the enjoyment they have at BB, whether 

performing their very energetic version 

of drill, or putting us UK lads to shame 

with their fantastic football skills. With the 

encouraging relationship shared with 

BBUK I am very confident and excited that 

The Boys’ Brigade in Cameroon can go 

from strength to strength in the future. 

Mathew Anderson (4th Newtownabbey) 

I 

could never have imagined before we 

got to Cameroon how many amazing 

people and experiences that we would 

meet. What struck me the most was how 

welcoming everyone was when we first met 

them and also how many photos people 

wanted with us! The welcome made me 

feel very comfortable and speaking to 

everyone more enjoyable. 

The part of the trip that I enjoyed the most 

was the camp in Mankin (Bamenda), which 

was the first one of its kind for BB Cameroon. 

I especially enjoyed the singing and dancing 

in the evening. On the last day of the camp 

we played football with the lads, which I was 

looking forward to while in Cameroon, but they 

ran me out of breath within 5 minutes! 

The trip has made me realise how well off 

I am and how I should be more grateful for 

the things I have and the safe environment 

I live in. I would like to say thank you for all 

the wonderful people we met in Cameroon 

and how welcome they made us feel. I 

would definitely like to be involved in any 

further international projects and would 

recommend it to anyone who wants a 

challenge and wants to bring home so many 

happy memories from a wonderful country! 

Ben Phillips (1st Redditch) 

Before the trip I was a little 

apprehensive about being the 

youngest in the team and not 

really knowing anyone and not knowing 

much about the culture of Cameroon. 

During the trip, I was quite shocked at how 

welcoming everyone was, when the ladies 

prepared dinner and lunch for us all the 

time and they didn’t even know us and 

they didn’t expect anything in return. But 

probably the most shocking thing was how 

much us being there meant to everyone, 

particularly, as we were leaving. Njerou 

was very emotional, telling us how he 

really didn’t want us to leave. 

I have learnt so much from this trip and 

look forward to getting involved more 

with International projects in the future. 

Jonathan Ferry (1st Cookstown) 


HERE & THERE 

1st Bearsden President’s Badges 

The Brigade President, Sir Kenneth Calman KCB, pictured with eight members of 

the 1st Bearsden Company presenting them with their President’s Badges. They 

are Chris Cameron, Ross Curran, Craig Glover, Dennis Lindsay, Damian Light, Grant 

McConnachie, Fraser Naughton and Craig Weir. 

3rd/4th Bathgate 

Party/Sleepover 

The 3rd/4th Bathgate Company has 

been helping the Royal Hospital for Sick 

Children in Edinburgh “The Sick Kids”. 

The members recently held a Party/ 

Sleepover and raised £844.50. The 

photograph shows some of the boys 

holding the giant cheque. 

Olympics, iron age 

style 

During summer camp held at Pitlochry, 

members of 1st Killearn Company took 

part in the ‘Iron Age Olympics’ arranged 

and run at the Scottish Crannog Centre 

in Kenmore. 

BB medal winners were Age 11-14 

GOLD: Stuart McDonal, SILVER: Alex 

Russell, BRONZE: Alan Beattie. Age 15- 

18 GOLD: Kieran Irvine, SILVER: Fergus 

Evans. The boys are pictured here with 

winners of the age 7-10 category and 

staff of the Crannog Centre. 

1st New Deer stay 

awake! 

The 1st New Deer held a sponsored “24 

hour stay awake” and raised £525 in 

support of the Church of Scotland World 

Mission Fund, focusing on the plight of 

children in Malawi. They took part in a 

bike run, cleaned up the church centre 

car park and went swimming. They also 

saw the launch of a marine ambulance 

in Macduff harbour which will be used on 

Lake Malawi. 

Devon Battalion 

Camp 

The Devon Battalion at its summer 

camp at Pembrey Country Park in 

Carmarthenshire. Pictured are boys, 

officers and helpers from the 1st, 5th and 

10th Exeter, 2nd Bovey Tracey and 2nd 

Paignton Companies. 

Presentation Day 

The Paisley and District Battalion recently held its Annual Presentation Day in 

Johnstone Town Hall, the Guest of Honour being Alex Mackie, Provost, East 

Renfrewshire. 


80 years a member! 

Congratulations to Alf Smith, Honorary 

Vice President of the Birmingham 

Battalion, who this year celebrates 80 

years as a member of The Boys’ Brigade. 

Alf is pictured at the 125 Celebration Day 

in Birmingham where he was interviewed 

by BBC Midlands Today.

Captain ‘Davy’ 

Congratulations to Mr. David Wilson 

(seen here with two of his grandsons) 

who recently completed his 66th 

session as a member of the 15th Belfast 

Company (Newington Presbyterian 

Church). Affectionately known to all as 

Davy, he has been Captain for the past 

25 years and is loved and respected by 

staff and boys alike. 

Cheque being handed over to representative 

from Ayrshire Cancer Support Group 

1st Stewarton 

Seniors’ Overnight 

Challenge 

“Recently I and my fellow companions 

of the 1st Stewarton Company had 

a Seniors’ overnight challenge in the 

church hall to raise points for our Senior 

Challenge. It turned out to be a great 

night with lots of laughs. We were 

expected to sit through a movie and 

talk about it, play the xbox and snakes 

and ladders among other things and,of 

course, eat the dreaded vindaloo. I 

managed to stay up all night through till 7 

in the morning, but a lot didn’t cut it and 

just collapsed in the middle of the floor. 

To begin with - the worst part of the 

night – eating the Vindaloo for charity. 

Although it was a good cause I felt that 

our officers were taking a bit too much 

pleasure from it all! We all managed a 

few bites (each bite melting our tongues) 

but one boy and his father managed to 

eat most of it! In the end, however, we 

raised £150 for a local charity. 

I really would like it to happen again next 

year, but I think the next time I’ll order a 

korma! 

by Martin Black 

7/16th Motherwell 

Company’s 

achievements 

Grantown-on-Spey; Rothiemurchus and 

the Cairngorms National Park have acted 

as “Base Camp” for 21 young men and 

boys of the 7/ 16th Motherwell Company 

who have undertaken their John Muir 

and Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards. This 

year 15 boys have achieved various John 

Muir Awards with seven boys gaining The 

Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze Award. 

Dunfermline and District Battalion held 

its annual Sports Day at Pitrevie running 

track. 3rd Dunfermline was the overall 

winner for the Junior Section events and 

4th Dunfermline, winner of Company 

Section and Senior age events. 

Mr Miliband pictured with the Company 

Section boys of the 15th South Shields 

Company. 

Foreign Secretary 

Visits Local Boys’ 

Brigade Company 

On the evening of Friday 3rd July the 

Rt Hon David Miliband (MP for South 

Shields and Secretary of State for 

Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs) 

visited 15th South Shields Company. Mr 

Miliband said “I was pleased to have 

been invited to attend the 15th South 

Shields Company and to meet members 

and to see first hand the activities on 

offer. The dedication of the company 

officers was obvious, and I was delighted 

to congratulate the boys on the 80th 

Anniversary, and I wish them every 

success in the future.” 

‘Your Community 

Matters’ award 

David Holmes, Captain of 10th Liverpool 

was presented with a “Your Community 

Matters” Award by the City Council 

Housing Renewal Team for his work 

with The Boys’ Brigade and with elderly 

people in the community. David does 

not look upon the award as a personal 

achievement, but as recognition of BB in 

the area and the staff commitment in the 

Company. 

Award for 1st 

Thatcham Company 

1st Thatcham Company was recently 

awarded a Civic Award in recognition of 

its achievement of 50 years’ service to 

the young people in Thatcham. 

At the Celebratory Thanksgiving Service 

Mr David Gibbons MBE, Deputy 

Lieutenant, presented Nathan Gregory 

with his Queen’s Badge. 


HERE & THERE continued 

Bluestone Company were presented 

with their Gold Awards in the presence 

of HRH Prince Philip in a ceremony at 

Hillsborough Castle. 

Duke of Edinburgh’s 

Awards 

Pictured are members of Lurgan and 

District Battalion on their recent Bronze 

Expedition in the Mourne Mountains 

where they discovered a World War II 

unexploded mortar. 

In addition, five members of 1st 

Paisley and District 

Battalion 

BB Boys celebrate 

125 years of fun 

Nearly 100 BB members recently had 

a fun weekend at Lapwing Lodge 

to celebrate the Brigade’s 125th 

anniversary. The boys who were from 

Renfrew, Paisley, Houston, Elderslie, 

Uplawmoor and Inchinnan enjoyed many 

activities, including Canadian Canoeing, 

Archery, Crate Building, Mountain Biking, 

Frisbee Golf, Assault Course, a Football 

Tournament and on the Saturday 

evening, a BBQ. To finish it all off there 

was a special birthday cake. It was so 

successful that it is hoped to make it a 

bi-annual event. 

DofE Presentations in West Anglia Battalion 

Detective Superintendent 

Paul Coombes of Bedford 

Constabulary presented 

ten Silver and eleven Gold awards 

to members of the West Anglia 

Battalion earlier in the year. 

The young people had gained their 

awards by taking part in a range of 

activities from expeditions in 

Derbyshire and Dartmoor, with one 

intrepid candidate trekking in the 

Himalayas. Voluntary service was 

given to a variety of communities 

and many new skills were discovered. 

Backpacking or Volunteering 

The Big Gap Year Question 

A 

gap year abroad is likely to be 

the experience of a lifetime and 

will be on many young minds 

as A Level results approach. For many 

years, backpacking was the traditional 

gap year route, but volunteering abroad 

is on the rise. Richard McKenzie of 

Lattitude Global Volunteering explains 

why gappers are keener to embrace 

their inner Samaritan. 

For most people, taking a gap year is 

about seeing new places, doing new 

things and meeting new people. Both 

backpacking and volunteering can 

provide these opportunities but in 

comparatively different ways. 

Backpacking allows the opportunity to see 

as much of the world as possible. But how 

much of one country can you see during a 

five day stopover And is it ethical to create 

such a large carbon footprint by flying to 

ten different countries in one trip 

Overseas volunteers tend to fly to just 

one country, which can then be explored 

extensively by foot, bicycle or public 

transport. This considerably trims the 

carbon footprint and can help to put money 

back into that country’s economy. It also 

means seeing areas off the beaten track 

that are not listed in guidebooks. 

Doing something new and different is 

a must when on a gap year. Gappers often 

seek out extreme activities like bungee 

jumping or a parachute jump! Making a 

positive difference to somebody else’s life 

is different, challenging and also rewarding. 

Caring for street children in India, helping 

environmental conservation efforts in 

Australia, or giving Fijian children a head 

start in life by teaching them English, can all 

make a real difference to the people of the 

community as well as to the volunteer. 

Volunteering provides invaluable life 

skills and experience, helps to focus the 

gapper’s mind on their career and to 

appreciate and make the most of their 

time away. It also enhances a CV, and 

could positively influence university and 

job applications. For people considering 

a gap year, a short quiz at www. 

whatkindofvolunteerareyou.org.uk can help 

to decide what you are best suited to. 

Gappers travelling around Australia, 

hostel by hostel, are guaranteed to meet 

plenty of people, who will more than likely 

be other backpackers from a similar walk 

of life to their own. Global Volunteers 

staying in the same area for several 

months not only get to meet people who 

have a completely different life, culture 

and background to them, but are given 

the opportunity to live and work with those 

people. This allows the opportunity to get to 

know the country, its culture and its people, 

for a real gap year experience. Gap year 

volunteers often find that they have made 

friends for life, sometimes finding a second 

family within their new community. 

Volunteering isn’t necessarily for 

everybody and is often challenging; but 

with the variety of projects and locations 

available, there is a better chance of 

finding something to suit you. Look for a 

reputable organisation like not-for-profit 

organisation, Lattitude Global Volunteering 

(www.lattitude.org.uk). 

It is important to choose an established 

organisation that runs sustainable 

projects to be sure that the volunteers 

really do have a positive impact on the 

communities. Lattitude Global Volunteering 

has been assisting young people to make 

a difference abroad for over 35 years. 

The organisation’s projects range from 

environmental conservation to child care, 

from teaching to medical placements 

and are available in 17 countries. 

To find out the benefits of volunteering, 

visit www.lattitude.org.uk 0118 959 4914. 

138 The Boys’ Brigade Gazette April October 2009 2009

Top five tips on using 

resources 

Writing your own material is a great 

idea, as it means you can tailor activities 

to your group. However, it does take a 

lot of time and effort (and heartache if 

people start to criticise it!) and there is 

plenty of good quality material out there. 

Someone else has done much of the 

hard work so that you don’t have to, and 

in today’s time-precious society, that is 

a very positive point. Here are five top 

tips on choosing and using published 

children’s and youth material. 

1 Know your market! 

Who comes to your group It is essential 

to know the kind of children or young 

people in your group before you choose 

and start to use published resources. 

Are the children and young people 

from a church background If not, how 

familiar are they with Christianity If your 

group comes from outside a church 

community, then you might want to 

look at a resource that focuses on the 

gospel message. If the group are mainly 

church children or young people, then 

you might want something that goes 

deeper, explores other Bible stories and 

challenges the group. 

2 Know your aims! 

You should have clear aims of what 

you want to do with your group and the 

direction you are heading in. Published 

resources will have aims too (often these 

are printed towards the front of the book 

or magazine). Check these out and see 

whether the aims for the resource come 

close to your own. If they are wildly 

different, then this is probably not the 

resource for you! 

3 Know your team! 

Who helps you lead the group These 

people will have lots of gifts and skills 

that they can use to lead the group with 

you, but you might have skills gaps too. 

If you don’t have any leaders who like 

drama, then don’t choose a resource 

with a drama theme! Similarly, when you 

have selected a resource, there may be 

elements in the material that you can’t do, 

because you don’t have team members 

who can do them. If this is the case, then 

miss them out and focus on something 

that is a strong point for your team. 

4 Know your space! 

Where do you meet What facilities do 

you have These will dictate what kind 

of activities you can do when you have 

chosen a published resource. Keep 

in mind the restrictions on numbers 

of children in a room (see www. 

scriptureunion.org.uk/holidayclubs) and 

any health and safety issues you might 

have. 

5 Know your options! 

You don’t have to do everything as it 

is laid out in the resource. Resources 

are written with general groups in mind, 

but only you know the needs of your 

own group. Select activities with your 

group in mind, and use other material 

to supplement your chosen resource. 

Websites such as www.lightlive.org and 

www.max7.org, and books such as the 

Ultimate series (Ultimate Craft, Ultimate 

Games etc, published by Scripture 

Union) can help you find extra activities 

to create a rounded programme. 

Alex Taylor, Scripture Union 

Scripture 

Union 

Resources 

A range of Scripture Union resources 

for the 5 to 11 age group are now 

available from BB Supplies to 

supplement the BB programme 

resources. See what’s available below: 

SO WHY GOD (36 3510) £9.99 

So, Why God is a 12-week discipleship course for 

children aged 7-11. 

Each session takes a genuine question that children 

ask and seeks to answer it through exploring Bible 

passages and using the testimony of group leaders. 

Children are given time and space to explore the 

questions and are also given the opportunity to ask 

questions of their own. Fun activities and ways to 

engage with the Bible are outlined for leaders to use, as 

suits their groups. 

HIGH FIVE (36 43500) £9.99 

Eight sessions 

for a midweek 

club or special 

event for 

children based 

on a Bible 

reading structure 

from Mark. 

It explores how 

Jesus touched the 

lives of the people 

around him, healed 

sick people, told 

everyone about God’s way and gave up 

his life to conquer death. It encourages 

leaders and children to then find out the 

ways in which they can touch the lives of 

people around the world! 

ULTIMATE CREATIVE PRAYER (36 3520) £9.99 

Do you work with children or young people Need that 

extra bit of inspiration to help your group explore the 

Bible Want that extra idea to complete your session 

Then the Ultimate series is for you. 

Each Ultimate book is packed full of ideas that have 

been used successfully by others and are more than 

likely to work for you! 

Ultimate Creative Prayer is crammed full of creative 

and imaginative ways to help you and your group 

get praying. Ideas include prayers to draw and 

make, prayers to shout and sing, prayers to pray 

alone and pray together. Inside you’ll find all the instructions and guidance you 

need to help your group pray and grow together. 

Available from BB Supplies on 08707 442 292 or 

online at http://shop.boys-brigade.org.uk 


The Boys’ Brigade Kilbryde Hike 2009 

40th Anniversary 

The Hike, inaugurated by Willie 

Brownlie in 1969 is still seen 

as a challenge today. The 2009 

hike was one of the longest in recent 

years, approximately 32miles, and 

has now established itself as the 

largest event of its type for youth 

organisations. The 2009 hike 

followed, as far as possible, 

the original 1969 route with 

minor alterations allowed 

for the new Whitelees 

wind farm. 

A total of 47 teams (151 

boys and girls) between 

the ages of 12 to 18 

gathered at the start in Darvel Church Hall 

to have their kit checked before setting off 

to start day one. 

At almost every checkpoint the teams 

had to attempt either a physical or mental 

challenge to test their physical prowess 

and mental agility. A water incident sited 

along the Calder River, south of West 

Browncastle farm set teams up nicely to 

head for the campsite at South Fieldhead 

farm overnight for a well earned rest. 

At 8am on Sunday the hike resumed 

and the youngsters were joined by the 

first ever winners who looked their age, but 

did not shirk the task in hand to prove that 

age is no barrier. 

Hike positions were as follows: 

Winners Main Hike, Fastest Team, 

Highest Incident Points – EKAC “H” 

Winners Junior Hike 

25th Stirling BB “E” 

Winners Ladies Hike 

EKAC “D” 

Highest Placed Expedition Team 

EKAC “G” 

The hike was well supported from 

past and present members and will 

always be grateful for assistance 

from farmers and landowners, with 

sponsorship and support from Robert 

Wiseman’s Dairies, David Urquart 

Travel, Paul Revill –Gas-Elec, Campbell 

‘O’ Benlair, Rolls-Royce PLC, South 

Lanarkshire Council, B&S Colour Labs, 

AG Barr Group, 52 Signals Squadron 

TA and Greggs the Bakers. 

Any companies that are interested 

in next year’s event, which takes place 

on the second weekend in June, should 

contact Stuart McIlroy 07717 887142 

for more details. 

THE 2009 CLEVELAND HIKE 

On Saturday 27th June over 

200 young people 

set out on the 46th 

Cleveland Hike. 

Starting at Wilton 

Lane the teams 

passed the Kit 

Check and Map 

and Compass 

check before being 

given the grid reference 

for the first checkpoint. 

The day progressed over a series 

of checkpoints where teams were put 

through a variety of incidents. At the 

overnight camp the teams were marked 

on their campcraft – some teams 

struggled with a few poles left over. 

On the Sunday after more incidents, 

the teams arrived at Danby Village Green 

where a hot meal awaited prior to the 

presentations. The Vicar of Stokesley 

led an act of worship following which 


a new trophy was presented in memory 

of the late Tom Parkin, former Chairman 

of the Hike, by his wife. 

This concluded a very successful venture 

with teams walking around 30 miles 

although inevitably some walked a 

little more! 

The winners of the Tom Parkin 

Memorial Trophy were: 

Young People 

1st 17th Teesside 

2nd EK Athletic Club 

Veterans 

1st EK Athletic Club 

Next year’s hike will be held 

26/27 June – look out for details 

Phone: 01302 869006 

E-mail clevelandhike@geocities.co.uk 

Or Garbet29@hotmail.co.uk 

and request your Boys’ Brigade 

Cleveland Hike Pack and Entry Form 

for 2010.

SMALL ADS 

Small Advertisements Copy to BBHQ, Felden Lodge, Hemel Hempstead, Herts. HP3 0BL. The Boys’ Brigade takes no responsibility 

for statements made in any advertisements here or elsewhere in the BB Gazette. Advertisements for the January 2010 issue 

should be received not later than 23rd October 2009. The cost is 20p per word. 

Approved Campsites 

The following sites have been officially 

approved, having met Guidelines laid down by 

the Brigade, and local Fire and Public Health 

Authorities. 

AUCHENGILLAN OUTDOOR CENTRE 

offers a choice of camping areas and modern 

indoor accommodation in an unrivalled setting 

in the central Scottish Highlands near to Loch 

Lomond. Visiting groups can undertake an extensive 

range of challenging and adventurous activities (onand 

off-site) and there are lots of places of interest 

to visit close by. Free colour brochure available 

from Auchengillan Outdoor Centre, Blanefield, 

Stirlingshire G63 9AU. Tel: 01360 770256; 

Fax: 01360 771197; 

E-mail: centre@auchengillan.com 

Website: www.auchengillan.com 

FELDEN LODGE CAMPSITE 2010. 

BB canvas campsite (operated by 10th Enfield) 

fully equipped for up to 70 (smaller camps 

welcome) at the BBUK HQ in Hertfordshire (from 

June to Sept). Contact Chris Norman on 

(t) 07703 571915 

or (e) chris@boys-brigade.org.uk 

NORFOLK CAMPSITE 2010. 

BB canvas campsite operated by 10th Enfield 

fully equipped for up to 70 (smaller camps 

welcome) in West Runton (near Sheringham/ 

Cromer). Contact Chris Norman on (t) 07703 

571915 or (e) chris@boys-brigade.org.uk 

HONEYHILL CAMP (NW Kent Battalion). 

12 acres Bearsted near Maidstone. Easy access 

to coast, places of interest, sports facilities. 

Building with kitchen, gas, electricity, mess tent. 

Contact Dennis Hatt, Tel: 01795 873392 Mob: 

07749 790413. Email: dennis_1stminster@ 

talktalk.net 

WEST MIDLAND DISTRICT CAMPING 

CENTRE, DYFFRYN ARDUDWY. The Boys’ 

Brigade Camping Centre at Dyffryn Ardudwy 

has available 3 camp sites all suitable for mixed 

camps. The largest main centre site caters for 

up to 90 people, has a fully equipped kitchen 

and dining area. Also provided is dormitory 

accommodation for 40 people and meeting 

room/Chapel. Ridge tents are provided on the 

adjacent 3 acre field which can also be used for 

sports. The smaller 2 acre sites each cater for up 

to 50 people and include individual kitchen and 

store with gas range, grill, instant hot water heater, 

fridge & freezer. Tents and marquee are supplied 

for each 2 acre site. All three sites have their own 

flush toilets, wash and shower facilities. Details 

from Jamie Copson 01905 480 955. Email: dyffryn. 

camping.centre@boys-brigade.org.uk 

Website: http://dyffryn.boys-brigade.org.uk 

VECTIS YOUTH CAMPS. Three beautiful 

campsites on the Isle of Wight with permanent 

kitchens, showers and toilets. Each site is self 

contained and is in easy reach of safe beaches 

and all the attractions of the Island. All tenting 

and equipment supplied. Prices from £35 per 

person per week. Ideal for organized camps 

of between 25 and 150 people. Telephone 

01344 430203. Email: siteadministrator@ 

vectisyouthcamps.org.uk website: 

www.vectisyouthcamps.org.uk 

GLENGARRY CAMP 2009/10, Chideock, 

Dorset (near Lyme Regis). Fully equipped 

approved BB site 10 minutes from beach. Brick 

cookhouse, running hot and cold water, gas 

cookers and grills, chip fryer, new fridge freezer 

etc. White canvas for 30 – 70 including 45’ x 30’ 

marquee. Nearby leisure centre with indoor pool 

10 mins. Contact Mark 020 8903 1116 or email 

mark.myhan@talk21.com 

CRAGGAN, the Outdoor Centre of Edinburgh, 

Leith and District Battalion. Set in glorious 

countryside by Loch Tay, Perthshire. The Centre is 

recently refurbished, has disabled access, sleeps 

30, is self-catering and is ideal for weekend and 

other camps. Well situated for outdoor and water 

activities with own canoes and jetty. Contact 

craggan@thebb-edinburgh.org.uk or 

0131 551 1200 ext 20. 

Campsite on NORTH DEVON COAST, NEAR 

WOOLACOMBE. Accommodates 70. Large field 

with showers, toilets and permanent cookhouse. 

Phone: 05601 332713. 

Email: info@warcombe.org.uk. 

Camp 2010/11. Popular site at FRESHWATER, 

ISLE OF WIGHT, available August. Fully 

equipped, flush toilets, mains gas/electric 

cooking, electric fridge, freezer and lighting. 

Close to safe, sandy beaches and leisure 

center. Minimum charge 20 campers. For free 

information pack and further enquiries contact 

Kirk Lakin, Freshwater Camp Equipment Trust, 

100 West Court Road, Worthing, West Sussex, 

BN14 7DP. Tel: 01903 205353. 

Email: info@freshwatertrust.com. 

Website: www.freshwatertrust.com. 

WOOLACOMBE NORTH DEVON. Overlooking 

the sea our campsite accommodates up to 

70 people. We have a permanent cookhouse, 

showers and toilets. Call Geoff Hills at the 

farm 01271 870501 or visit our website www. 

warcombe.org.uk. 

SWANAGE, DORSET. Booking now for 2010 

(2 weeks available) and 2011. Excellent fully 

equipped camp site run by Basildon and District 

Camping Group. Close to delightful town of 

Swanage and its sandy beach. Comprehensive, 

well maintained facilities and canvas. Gas, 

electricity, flush loos. For joint/single camps any 

size from 35 to 100. Boys’ Brigade approved. 

Brochure: Steve Nice, 29 Botelers, Basildon, 

Essex, SS16 5SD. Tel: 01268 545907. 

Email: s.nice@o2.co.uk See the facilities 

on our website at www.bdcg.org.uk. 

Camping/Holiday 

Activities 

BLACKPOOL AREA. Self-catering accommodation. 

(1) Accommodation for 44 in comfort. 4 single 

bedrooms for staff. 2 shower rooms, bedding and 

crockery provided. Fully equipped kitchen. (2) Small 

Party Unit for 16 persons, including two staff rooms. 

Fully equipped as above. (3) Camp site with camp 

kitchen/dining room, shower and toilet facilities. The 

complex includes a large sports hall with climbing 

wall and sports field. Quiet situation near Kirkham, a 

market town on the Fylde Coast. Within easy reach 

of Theme Parks and Lake District. For brochure 

contact: The Warden, The Boys’ Brigade, Carr 

Lane, Treales, Kirkham, PR4 3SS. 

Tel/Fax: 01772-685000. 

www.TheBoysBrigadeInTheNorthWest.org.uk 

BARNABAS ADVENTURE CENTRES. 

Bring your company/battalion to one of our 

spacious venues. Carroty Wood (Kent), 

Whithaugh Park (Scottish Borders), Frontier 

Centre (Northants) and Halls Green (Kent). We’d 

love to send you a brochure! Contact: Brian 

Barnes, Barnabas Adventure Centres, FREEPOST 

TN2 186, Tonbridge, Kent TN11 9QX. 

Tel: 01732 366766, www.barnabas.org.uk or 

email: info@barnabas.org.uk 

SOUTHERN SCOTLAND. Spacious Edwardian 

house in its own grounds within the lovely town of 

Moffat. Rent the Well Road Centre for a self-catering 

conference/ activity weekend/week. Open all year. 

Two meeting/ activity rooms. Large kitchen and 

dining room. 13 comfortable bedrooms of various 

size. Indoor sports hall. The beautiful Moffat hills for 

hiking/orienteering. Suitable for groups of 20 to 65 

in number. Only your group in occupation during 

your stay. For brochure contact: Well Road Centre, 

Moffat DG10 9JT. Tel: 01683 221040 or website: 

www.wellroadcentre.co.uk 

GREENMOOR CENTRE, S35 7DX, Sheffield 

& District Battalion’s residential self-catering 

Centre. Sleeps 28 (3 dormitories, separate 2-staff 

bedroom and 2-staff/disabled bedroom). Toilets, 

showers and fully fitted kitchen. Situated in the 

Upper Don Valley, north of Sheffield on edge of 

Peak District National Park, within easy reach 

of M1. Grid ref SK280994. Contact Sue Cowie 

01246-274021, email jmcowiefts@tiscali.co.uk 

SKIPTON, NORTH YORKSHIRE. 

4 acre rally field available, close to train station. 

Tel: 07980 260727. 

CAMP 2010/2011 – STOKE GABRIEL, SOUTH 

DEVON. Come and camp in our fully equipped 

white canvas next to farm/holiday park near 

Paignton. Shop/telephone and showers on 

Holiday Park. Many local attractions. Please 

enquire to Clive Gordon 0121 544 0904 / 0771 

876 1150. Email cliveg04@yahoo.co.uk or 

Jim jimdrew@blueyonder.co.uk 

More info/campsite photos on website 

http://3warley.boys-brigade.org.uk 

BROMLEY BATTALION SITE, WHITECLIFF 

BAY, ISLE OF WIGHT. Fully equipped with 

white canvas, male/female shower blocks, flush 

toilets, mains, gas and electricity. Small or large 

numbers (45/100). Details, George Francis, 

“Kenwyn”, Beesfield Lane, Farningham, Dartford, 

Kent, DA4 OBZ. Phone 01322 862401 or Keith 

Francis 01474 705485. 

Email: george.francis44@btinternet.com or visit 

website for all details including availability: 

www.bbcampsite.co.uk 

BROADLEAS, HAYTOR, DEVON. Self catering 

accommodation for 30, plus 2 staff bedrooms that 

will sleep 5. Two shower rooms, fully equipped 

kitchen and dining area. Camping facilities for up 

to 55. Tentage provided. Fully equipped kitchen, 

dining hall, showers and toilets. Outdoor swimming 

pool and large hall. Tel: Don Reeby 01752 771699. 

http://broadleas.boys-brigade.org.uk 

Email: broadleas@boys-brigade.org.uk 

GLASSHOUSES MILL. In beautiful Nidderdale, near 

Harrogate. Hostel accommodation for 40. Access 

to sheltered lake and Yorkshire Dales. Close to 

Brimham Rocks, Ripon, Patley Bridge and Lightwater 

Valley Theme Park. Weeks still available for this 

summer. For details contact Mr D Barnes 07748 

214786 or http://canoeclub.boys-brigade.org.uk 

NEW CAMPSITE. Proving popular venue for Boys’ 

Brigade camps at IVY FARM, MERSEA ISLAND, 

near COLCHESTER, ESSEX. Quiet site in beautiful 

countryside adjoining River Colne Estuary. Exclusive 

use of large field, car parking, toilets and showers 

and large barn with facilities for washing up. 

Cooking equipment can be easily hired. Activities 

available on site, including sailing, table tennis, rural 

crafts etc. Access to beach, foot-ferry and walks. 

Close to shops and amenities and Colchester’s 

tourist attractions. 

Contact Ralph & Jenny Spence. Tel: 01206 384351. 

Email: ralph.spence@tiscali.co.uk 


Federation 

Annual Council 

Meeting and 

Fellowship 

Weekend 

Friday 21st to 

Sunday 23rd May 2010 

Best Western Bromley Court 

Hotel, Bromley Hill, 

Bromley, Kent BR1 4JD 

England 

If you would like to receive full 

details of the weekend please 

contact the Registrar, Roger 

Wallis, Stedfast Association 

London, 26 Hambro Avenue, 

Bromley, Kent, BR2 7LS 

Telephone 

+44 (020) 8462 1235 

Email: 

roger.wallis2@ntlworld.com 

So please book now – you 

don’t have to pay until 

February 2010. 

Your contributions 

If you would like to contribute 

anything for future columns, 

please contact Philip Daley, 

The Stedfast Association, 

Unit C1 Nutgrove Office 

Park, Nutgrove Avenue, 

Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 or 

email boysbrigade@eircom.net 

or telephone 

+353 (01) 296 4622. 

Diabetes 

Support 

Literature 

New patient support literature, 

designed for different age 

groups: children, teenagers, 

adults and other patients, is now 

available through diabetes specialist 

nurses, practices, hospitals and 

individuals can obtain copies by 

contacting bddiabetes@europe. 

bd.com. There are clear and simple 

descriptions of best practice for 

blood sampling and self-injection 

of insulin using language appropriate 

for each age group, 

plus essential information and 

support for patients in the early 

stages of living with diabetes. 

OBITUARIES 

LOUIS AUSTIN (8) died suddenly at 

home on 13th July 2009. He joined the 

Anchor Boys of 3rd Trafford Company 

in 2007. Promoted to the Junior Section 

in January 2009, Louis was a keen 

member of the section and enjoyed 

taking part in all the activities, only 

recently enjoying the Fun Day at the 

North West District Centre Kirkham. A 

pleasant and quiet boy, Louis was liked 

by all his friends and staff. The whole 

Company was saddened by his sudden 

death and messages of condolence 

have been sent to his parents, brothers 

and sisters. 

ANDREW BURDEN (24), was one of 

the founder members of 2nd Annalong 

when he joined as an Anchor Boy, 

later to progress through Junior and 

Company Sections. As a young 

Christian man Andrew returned to 

the company last year to become a 

Company Section leader, where he 

showed enthusiasm and ability when 

working with the boys. As a keen 

sportsman and footballer Andrew was 

well known within the local community 

and he will be sadly missed by all who 

knew him. We extend our deepest 

sympathies to his family and friends. 


GEOFFREY A HARRIS (86) Brigade 

Honorary Vice President 

Following war service in the RAF 

Geoff returned to Brighton and 

volunteered as a BB Press Officer. 

Later he took up the post of District 

Organiser for the Lancashire and 

Cheshire District, starting Companies 

and initiating both the Blackpool 

Display and the Capernwray Course. 

Following this Geoff worked for the 

ILEA and the YMCA. Always looking at 

ways of serving the community Geoff 

received the Mayor’s Audentior Award 

for voluntary work and commitment to 

Watford. 

Geoff will be missed by his sons 

Graham and Ian, together with their 

families and many more. 

IAN REYNOLDS (65) joined The Life 

Boys of 53rd Sheffield Company and 

worked his way through all BB ranks. 

He became an officer in the 53rd 

Company, and became Captain in 

1992. He worked very hard in various 

posts within his church, including 

Church President. Ian was a kind and 

loving man who always had time for 

younger officers and whose calm 

demeanour was a positive influence 

on those around him. He will be greatly 

missed by wife, Irene, and family and 

all who were fortunate enough to know 

him. 

LESLIE RAWSON joined the staff of 

the Brigade as Assistant Overseas 

Secretary (assistant to William 

McVicker) at a time when air travel was 

becoming possible and as a result 

during his service with the Brigade 

and the World Conference visited 

more countries and BB Companies 

than anyone before or since. His wife 

Maureen and he kept ‘open house’ for 

numerous overseas visitors as they had 

a worldwide circle of friends. 

William McVicker and Leslie were 

instrumental in drawing together not 

only the Brigade but other kindred 

organisations around the world and 

after many years of planning when the 

World Conference was set up Leslie 

was appointed as its first Executive 

Secretary. With Maureen as his 

honorary secretary he nurtured and 

encouraged unstintingly the work of this 

great world family and saw, especially 

in Africa and Asia, great development 

taking place. 

Leslie was a man of faith and his 

commitment to the ‘advancement of 

Christ’s Kingdom’ was seen in all he 

did. The Brigade sends its condolences 

to Maureen and the family.

MAKING FRIENDS 

+ 

RAISING MONEY 

= 

FRIENDSHIP 

FUNDAY 

We’re on a mission! We want the Boys Brigade to 

have fun, celebrate friendships and change children’s lives 

for the better. 

LOUISE DYRING NIELSON/SAVE THE CHILDREN 

“Having fun with your friends at the same time 

as helping other children all around the world is 

just brilliant.” Save the Children Youth Ambassador 

To request a FREE pack with loads of exciting ideas on 

how the Boys Brigade can get involved call 020 7012 6400 

or email p.grundy@savethechildren.org.uk 

Belchamps Scout Centre 

The friendly Scout and Guide 

campsite near the seaside 

6 buildings, 20 activities, 

campfires and full 

time staff 

www.belchamps.co.uk 

info@belchamps.co.uk 

Tel 01702 562690 

Holyoak Lane, 

Hawkwell, 

Essex SS54JD

Christingle 

----------------------------------- 

shining light into darkness 

“Christingle is a great way to get all 

the boys and girls together for a lovely, 

warm service at Christmas time.” 

Tracey Doswell, 

13th Southampton Boys’ Brigade 

FREE resources to help 

your company celebrate 

The Children’s Society is proud to be working with The Boy’s Brigade through Christingle this year. 

Our Create-a-Christingle magazine has been developed in partnership with the Church of England 

Children’s Work Advisers and is packed full of ideas on how your company can celebrate Christingle. 

Activity suggestions have been tailored by BBUK Headquarters to fit Anchors’ and Juniors’ programme 

zones and are featured in the centre pages of this magazine. Arts, crafts, games and fundraising ideas 

will enable your company to join the celebration and help raise vital funds for disadvantaged children. 

We hope you will join us by putting the Christian message of charity into action through Christingle. 

Together we can make childhood better for all children in the UK. 

visit www.christingle.org/boysbrigade 

call 0845 600 8585 

Order your FREE 

Create-a-Christingle 

pack today 

The Children’s Society – making childhood better 

Charity Registration No. 221124 | Christingle originated in the Moravian Church in 1747 | Photograph © Jeremy Enness

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