April 2013 - The Boys' Brigade
April 2013 - The Boys' Brigade
April 2013 - The Boys' Brigade
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THE OFFICIAL QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF THE BOYS’ BRIGADE<br />
IN THIS ISSUE<br />
> You can be heroes<br />
> Planning your programme<br />
> Global Fellowship 50th Anniversary<br />
> Update on Ten Percent<br />
in Twenty Twelve<br />
Volume 121 No 2 | <strong>April</strong> <strong>2013</strong>
<strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong><br />
Patron: H.M. <strong>The</strong> Queen<br />
President: <strong>The</strong> Lord Griffi ths<br />
of Burry Port<br />
<strong>Brigade</strong> Secretary: Steve Dickinson<br />
Headquarters: Felden Lodge,<br />
Felden, Hemel Hempstead,<br />
Hertfordshire HP3 0BL<br />
Tel 01442 231681; Fax 01442 235391;<br />
Email: enquiries@boys-brigade.org.uk;<br />
Website: www.boys-brigade.org.uk<br />
Registered Charity Numbers<br />
305969 (England and Wales) and<br />
SC0038016 (Scotland).<br />
Our Object<br />
<strong>The</strong> advancement of Christ’s Kingdom<br />
among boys and the promotion of habits<br />
of Obedience, Reverence, Discipline,<br />
Self-Respect and all that tends<br />
towards a true Christian Manliness.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Gazette<br />
<strong>The</strong> Gazette is the offi cial publication<br />
of <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong>. Offi cial notices<br />
to members appear under <strong>Brigade</strong><br />
Announcements. Opinions expressed<br />
in any other articles are those of<br />
the author of the article and do not<br />
necessarily refl ect <strong>Brigade</strong> policy.<br />
Design & Print<br />
Christian Publishing & Outreach,<br />
Garcia Estate, Canterbury Road,<br />
Worthing BN13 1BW;<br />
Telephone: 01903 264 556;<br />
Website: www.cpo.org.uk<br />
Editorial Team<br />
Mary Care, Steve Dickinson, Chris<br />
Norman, Niall Rolland, Jan Williamson<br />
Submission of copy<br />
All material submitted with a view<br />
to publication in the next issue of<br />
BB Gazette should be addressed to<br />
the Editor at <strong>Brigade</strong> Headquarters<br />
to arrive by 1st May <strong>2013</strong>.<br />
Small Advertisements<br />
Small Advertisements should be<br />
sent to BB Headquarters;<br />
email: gazette@boys-brigade.org.uk<br />
Display Advertisements<br />
Enquiries regarding display<br />
advertising space should be to<br />
Chris Norman: Tel 01442 288 552;<br />
Fax 01442 235391;<br />
Email gazette@boys-brigade.org.uk<br />
twitter.com/theboysbrigade<br />
Diary Dates<br />
Northern Ireland<br />
5 – 7 <strong>April</strong> ................. Queen’s Badge Residential<br />
12 – 14 <strong>April</strong> ............. Expedition & Outdoor Leadership Course<br />
13 <strong>April</strong> ..................... Company Section Bowls Competition: Provisional<br />
27 <strong>April</strong> ..................... Anchor Boy 125th Anniversary Event<br />
27 <strong>April</strong> ..................... Company Section 7-a-side Rugby Competition<br />
(Junior & Senior): Provisional<br />
4 May........................ National Competition Final: Junior 5-a-side<br />
(Scotland)<br />
11 May ...................... Junior Section 125th Anniversary Big Day Out<br />
17 May ...................... Queen’s Badge Celebration<br />
28 – 30 June ............ Skills for Queen’s Badge Course<br />
20 – 26 July .............. KGVI Leadership Training: Parts 1 and 2<br />
12 Sept ........................NI District Annual General Meeting<br />
England<br />
EDITORIAL<br />
I<br />
‘ve<br />
just spent the weekend with some of the Young People Representatives<br />
on the Regional Committees and the <strong>Brigade</strong> Executive; what an inspiring and<br />
committed group they are.<br />
We were looking at their role, how we might better resource and equip them<br />
for the task and how we could widen participation within the organisation. Each<br />
of them brought a variety of experience from Company, Battalion and Region<br />
and each brought individual gifts and talents to the role. <strong>The</strong>re was a common desire<br />
to make a difference both for the young people they serve and represent and for<br />
the <strong>Brigade</strong>.<br />
Like many of us they had been encouraged, trusted and been given responsibility.<br />
Some spoke to me about a signifi cant role model, someone who had believed in<br />
them, someone who had helped and supported them.<br />
In BB we use the word participation quite regularly now, but I thought it might be<br />
helpful to remind ourselves what we mean.<br />
One of the actions listed as a means to achieving the BB Mission statement reads<br />
as follows;<br />
• empowering children and young people by involving them in decision making at<br />
all levels of the BB and giving responsibility appropriate to their age and aptitude<br />
Participation is about shifting power to those that are most affected by a decision.<br />
Adults need to be willing to engage children and young people and give up some of<br />
their own power. It’s about creating a culture where young people expect to be heard<br />
and involved.<br />
Youth work is about supporting young people on the journey towards adulthood, on<br />
the journey from dependence to independence. I can run a good BB programme, offer<br />
lots of different activities and the youngsters will enjoy themselves, but if they leave<br />
without having had the opportunity to plan, assess risk, make decisions and contribute,<br />
then I’ve sold them short and not supported their journey as well as I might.<br />
Do not say, “I am too young”, the Lord said to Jeremiah when he called him. What<br />
barriers do we put in the way of our young people’s participation? Let us all commit<br />
to supporting our members becoming creators of the organisation and not just<br />
consumers of what we offer – as good as that may be.<br />
Steve Dickinson<br />
6 <strong>April</strong> .........................National Chess Finals - Kirkham<br />
27 <strong>April</strong> .......................Senior 5 a side fi nals – Nottingham<br />
11 May ........................Big Night Out – Lightwater Valley near Ripon<br />
18 May ...................... Music Festival – Midlands<br />
1 June ...................... Showcase Marching Band Competition – Stoke<br />
13 July ...................... National Athletics – Halifax<br />
Scotland<br />
27 <strong>April</strong> ............... Scottish Bands Contest – Motherwell<br />
10 – 12 May ........ Expedition Leadership Course – Carronvale<br />
18 – 19 May ....... Practical First Aid – Carronvale<br />
8 June ................ World Mission Fund Picnic – Blantyre<br />
12 – 17 June ...... DofE Open Gold Expedition – Scott Lodge<br />
25 – 27 June ...... Young Leaders’ Network – Prague<br />
20 – 26 July ....... KGVI New Entrants – Carronvale<br />
Republic of Ireland<br />
5 <strong>April</strong> ................. Eastern District Anchors’ Event, Jump Zone,<br />
Stillorgan, Co. Dublin<br />
10 <strong>April</strong> ............... Midlands District Leaders’ Meeting, Portlaoise,<br />
Co Laois<br />
13 <strong>April</strong> ............... Midlands District Activity Day, Tullamore, Co Offaly<br />
13 <strong>April</strong> ............... South Eastern District Blackstairs Shield, Bunclody,<br />
Co Wexford<br />
17 <strong>April</strong> ................. Northern District Leaders’ Meeting, Cavan, Co Cavan<br />
28 <strong>April</strong> ................ Midlands District Service, Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny<br />
29 <strong>April</strong> ............... South Eastern District Leaders’ Meeting, Bunclody,<br />
Co Wexford<br />
5 May ................... South Eastern District Service, Kiltegan, Co. Wicklow<br />
9 May ................... Eastern District Leaders’ Meeting, Stillorgan,<br />
Co Dublin<br />
18 May ................. Northern District Swimming Gala & Basketball Event,<br />
Monaghan, Co Monaghan<br />
facebook.com/theboysbrigade<br />
38 <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> Gazette Apr <strong>2013</strong><br />
25/26 May ............ National Juniors Activity Weekend<br />
8 June .................. Regional Conference & Annual Council Meeting,<br />
Portlaoise, Co Laois
CONTENTS<br />
40<br />
You Can Be Heroes<br />
Prince Charles encourages<br />
volunteering<br />
Ten Percent in Twenty<br />
Twelve<br />
An update on the Campaign<br />
42 44<br />
A quick look at Social<br />
Media<br />
56<br />
Spanish Villa Holiday<br />
2012<br />
58<br />
Five Days with the Royal Marines<br />
62<br />
Fantastic<br />
fundraising<br />
<strong>The</strong> Gazette<br />
What do you think?<br />
63<br />
67<br />
Smile International<br />
Opportunities for young people<br />
Other items<br />
45...............Planning your Programme<br />
50 .............Supermarket Opps<br />
57 ..............Turning Point<br />
64 .............Global Fellowship<br />
67 .............Secret Diary<br />
Regular Features<br />
46 ..............Here and <strong>The</strong>re<br />
51 ...............Chaplain’s Corner<br />
52 ..............Around the Regions<br />
60 .............<strong>Brigade</strong> Announcements<br />
66 .............Stedfast Association News<br />
Apr <strong>2013</strong> <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> Gazette 39
YOU CAN<br />
BE HEROES!<br />
YOU CAN<br />
BE HEROES!<br />
c/o Ken McKay/REXFeatures<br />
His Royal Highness <strong>The</strong> Prince of Wales<br />
and ITV’s This Morning programme<br />
launched ‘You can be heroes’ week<br />
in January this year, setting out to<br />
encourage people to volunteer<br />
Determined to sustain the positive atmosphere and<br />
pride that was felt throughout the UK following the<br />
hugely successful 2012 Olympic and Paralympic<br />
Games, <strong>The</strong> Prince wants to encourage more people<br />
to volunteer. In an interview at Clarence House with This Morning<br />
hosts, Phillip Schofi eld and Holly Willoughby, <strong>The</strong> Prince of Wales<br />
shared his views on the importance of volunteering.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Prince’s involvement with organisations such as <strong>The</strong><br />
Prince’s Trust, and Youth United has revealed the massive need<br />
for more volunteers to come forward, with the knowledge that<br />
some groups have waiting lists for young people to join due to<br />
not having enough volunteers.<br />
Founded by <strong>The</strong> Prince, Youth United is a network of the UK’s<br />
largest and most established voluntary youth organisations.<br />
Members include <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong>, <strong>The</strong> Girls’ <strong>Brigade</strong>,<br />
Scouts, Guides, Army Cadets, Air Cadets, Fire Cadets, St John<br />
Ambulance, Voluntary Police Cadet and Sea Cadets. One of<br />
Youth United’s key aims is to increase the number of adult<br />
volunteers supporting member organisations.<br />
BB members with ITV This Morning presenter Alison Hammond<br />
During ‘You can be heroes’ week, ITV’s This Morning<br />
programme each day looked at the valuable work volunteers do.<br />
Alison Hammond visited the organisations that make up Youth<br />
United to see how their volunteers really do make a difference.<br />
Before Christmas members from across all the Youth United<br />
organisations, including BB members from Birmingham came<br />
together at the Safeside educational facility in Birmingham. <strong>The</strong><br />
footage highlighted what some of the organisations get up to,<br />
encouraging adults to volunteer with them. A number of young<br />
people and volunteers were interviewed including BB members.<br />
During the week BB was active on social media through<br />
Twitter and Facebook and also received an increase in<br />
enquiries through our website from new volunteers.<br />
Do you feel rushed off your feet?<br />
Are you barely treading water?<br />
Do you want your Company to engage<br />
more children & young people?<br />
If your answer to any of these is YES, then it will come as no surprise<br />
that you need more volunteers.<br />
40 <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> Gazette Apr <strong>2013</strong><br />
Check out the volunteer recruitment resources >>>
We all know that being part of <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong><br />
is lots of fun, but it also impacts children,<br />
young people and leaders in a way that lasts<br />
and shapes lives.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are so many children & young people out there<br />
desperate for activities to join in with in their communities who<br />
at the moment don’t come to BB. <strong>The</strong>re are also talented<br />
people who would like to offer their skills if only they knew how.<br />
<strong>The</strong> BB has a wide range of resources to help Companies<br />
recruit volunteers. Find out more about what is available below<br />
and then download resources online or order from BB Supplies.<br />
Recruitment Tool Box<br />
<strong>The</strong> Recruitment Tool Box is<br />
your guide to recruitment for<br />
volunteers containing lots of<br />
ideas on how your Company<br />
could recruit. In addition there<br />
is advice on the selection,<br />
management and retention of<br />
volunteers, as well as a<br />
self-assessment tool to<br />
help your Company. <strong>The</strong><br />
Recruitment Tool Box can<br />
be downloaded online.<br />
Leaflets & Posters<br />
A range of leafl ets and posters<br />
are available that focus on different audiences<br />
and work alongside the Recruitment Toolbox.<br />
Online Resources<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are also lots of additional resources available<br />
online including:<br />
• PowerPoint presentations –<br />
with accompanying notes to help talk about <strong>The</strong> Boys’<br />
<strong>Brigade</strong> with potential volunteers.<br />
• Skills Questionnaire – customise and circulate the Skills<br />
Questionnaire to parents & family of members to fi nd out<br />
what they do for work and in their spare time and how they<br />
might be able to help with your Company programme.<br />
• Student Invitation – designed to be given out to<br />
students to invite them to a volunteering event.<br />
• Church Service – an outline which can be used as part<br />
of a service in your Church to consider recruitment of<br />
volunteers in continuing the outreach that the BB provides.<br />
• Moving Away – for anyone moving away from their<br />
current location, and wishes to continue their involvement<br />
in <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong>. Complete the form and your<br />
Regional Headquarters will help to match them up to<br />
a new Company.<br />
• Press Releases – range of sample press releases<br />
which can be edited to suit local needs.<br />
You can find everything online at:<br />
www.boys-brigade.org.uk/volunteerrecruitment.htm<br />
Apr <strong>2013</strong> <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> Gazette 41
Since reporting on progress in the January Gazette,<br />
a further 108 Companies have reported a growth<br />
of 10% or more, bringing the total number of<br />
Companies to 371. It is also encouraging that a<br />
further 210 Companies are showing some growth<br />
from the previous session.<br />
Below we continue to share news from Companies across<br />
the <strong>Brigade</strong> that have increased their numbers.<br />
In the January Gazette we recognised those Companies that<br />
had grown by 10% by listing them, and we are now pleased<br />
to add to that list those Companies that have reported their<br />
numbers since publication.<br />
Companies With 10% Growth In 2012/<strong>2013</strong> Session<br />
Northern Ireland<br />
1st Ballykelly<br />
1st Ballywillan<br />
1st Cargycreevy<br />
1st Carrowdore<br />
1st Clough (Down)<br />
1st Crossgar<br />
1st Culnady<br />
1st Donegore<br />
1st Downpatrick<br />
1st Dundrod<br />
1st Lurgan<br />
1st Moira<br />
1st Moneymore<br />
1st Portadown<br />
1st Tamlaght O’crilly<br />
1st Templepatrick<br />
2nd Larne<br />
2nd Lurgan<br />
3rd Portadown<br />
14th Newtownabbey<br />
40th Belfast<br />
41st Belfast<br />
53rd Belfast<br />
54th Belfast<br />
6th Londonderry<br />
77th Belfast<br />
85th Belfast<br />
101st Belfast<br />
Republic Of Ireland<br />
1st Bunclody<br />
1st Carnalway<br />
1st Drung<br />
1st Dunleckney<br />
1st Edenderry<br />
1st Littlewood<br />
1st Tralee<br />
Scotland<br />
1st Cambusnethan<br />
1st Denny & Dunipace<br />
1st Erskine<br />
1st Glasgow<br />
1st Harthill<br />
1st Hawick<br />
1st Larbert<br />
1st Law<br />
1st Loanhead<br />
1st Millport<br />
1st Newport/Wormit<br />
1st Overtown<br />
1st Perth<br />
1st Roslin<br />
2nd Clydebank<br />
2nd Kilwinning<br />
3rd Carluke<br />
3rd/8th Edinburgh<br />
4th Falkirk<br />
7th Irvine<br />
9th Livingston<br />
10th Inverness<br />
11th Dundee<br />
12th Greenock<br />
12th Inverness<br />
15th Motherwell<br />
16th Glasgow<br />
24th Paisley<br />
40th Aberdeen<br />
45th Glasgow<br />
63rd Aberdeen<br />
66th Edinburgh<br />
118th Glasgow<br />
247th Glasgow<br />
England<br />
1st Ashton-In-Makerfi eld<br />
1st Awsworth<br />
1st Beddington<br />
1st Birmingham<br />
1st Bryn<br />
1st Cambridge<br />
1st Leamington Spa<br />
1st Leeds<br />
1st Oadby<br />
1st Ormskirk<br />
1st Romford<br />
1st Totton<br />
1st Wareham<br />
1st Wellington<br />
1st Wordsley<br />
2nd Southend-On-Sea<br />
2nd Waltham Forest<br />
2nd Weston-Super-Mare<br />
3rd Warley<br />
4th Barnet<br />
4th Halifax<br />
5th Lincoln<br />
6th Derby<br />
9th South Shields<br />
9th Southport<br />
11th North West Durham (South Moor)<br />
12th Halifax<br />
12th Ipswich<br />
12th Southampton<br />
13th Croydon<br />
14th Croydon<br />
19th North Staffordshire<br />
19th Wigan<br />
21st Leicester<br />
22nd Leicester<br />
24th South East Essex<br />
25th Teesside<br />
53rd Liverpool<br />
42 <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> Gazette Apr <strong>2013</strong>
49th Liverpool Company<br />
(England)<br />
This session the 49th Liverpool Company has seen an<br />
increase in membership of over 50% going from 21 to 32<br />
members. When asked about how they achieve this<br />
Andy Foulkes, Company Captain said:<br />
“We started the session with 21 members across all<br />
sections. In order to boost numbers and reach our target<br />
of 10% we did a variety of things.<br />
Firstly, we got a website, Facebook page, and Twitter<br />
account up and running, and spread the word about the<br />
Company through our various social media.<br />
We then held a special night for Anchors and Juniors<br />
and challenged the members to bring a friend along, in<br />
exchange for one of the new Recruitment Badges. <strong>The</strong><br />
night was full of games, fun and fellowship and we even<br />
had a magician come along to entertain everyone. It was<br />
a great success and we got 7 new members, smashing<br />
our 10% target. Fortunately, the momentum seems to<br />
have carried and to date we have 32 members across all<br />
sections, meaning that we have increased our numbers<br />
by a whopping 52%! In addition, we have at least 5 new<br />
members starting after Easter.”<br />
Paisley & District Battalion<br />
(Scotland)<br />
Companies in Paisley & District Battalion took action to<br />
boost numbers and get involved with the Ten Percent<br />
in 2012 campaign. Public Relations Offi cer, John Stewart<br />
got local media attention about the success of their<br />
local campaign.<br />
He told the Paisley Daily Express: “With just a few returns<br />
still to come in, I’m pleased to report that numbers in the<br />
Battalion have increased by more than 100 members.<br />
This follows on from what can only be described as a<br />
very successful recruitment campaign. We had hoped to<br />
increase our total roll by around 10 per cent, but we have<br />
exceeded this with a bit to spare. It’s great news for<br />
the organisation.<br />
This proves that the <strong>Brigade</strong> still has much to offer to boys<br />
and young men in the Renfrewshire area as well as all over<br />
the country.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> following Companies within the Battalion which<br />
achieved, or bettered, the target are 14th Paisley, 22nd<br />
Paisley, 1st Renfrew, 1st Barrhead, 1st Elderslie, 1st<br />
Inchinnan, 1st Johnstone, 1st Kilbirnie and 1st Neilston.<br />
Photo & Cartoon Library<br />
A library of photos and cartoons has been made<br />
available for use within <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> at<br />
Company, Battalion and District level. Ideal<br />
for putting together your own materials for<br />
recruitment, publicity, events, etc.<br />
To access the photo & carton library go to<br />
www.boys-brigade.org.uk/photolibrary.htm.<br />
Don’t forget that recruitment resources are available online at www.boys-brigade.org.uk/recruitment<br />
and posters & leafl ets are available to purchase from BB Supplies.<br />
Apr <strong>2013</strong> <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> Gazette 43
A quick look at<br />
You’ll notice that in<br />
correspondence as well as<br />
in the Gazette, social media<br />
platforms such as Twitter and<br />
Facebook are referred to frequently.<br />
In the work place, at Church and in<br />
our communities, social media is<br />
playing an increasing role with more<br />
and more people turning to it.<br />
If used in the right way, social media can<br />
make considerable positive impact in our<br />
BB work. Here are a few reasons for this,<br />
as well as some tips and tricks to get the<br />
most out of these platforms:<br />
- Part of everyday life – utilised not<br />
just as a communication tool, but also<br />
as an information sharing one as well.<br />
- Improvements in technology – the<br />
introduction of smart phones, tablets<br />
and faster internet allow people to be<br />
online 24/7.<br />
- Usage – there are over 1 billion users<br />
worldwide on facebook, where else could<br />
you access so many people?<br />
- Speed – it’s so quick to share news,<br />
information and thoughts on current events!<br />
Making the most of Social Media<br />
in your Company<br />
Firstly you need to decide on what you<br />
want to achieve by engaging with social<br />
media... is it to interact with BB<br />
It’s all about joining in the conversation online...<br />
Facebook – Social Networking<br />
service. Profi les can be set<br />
up for individuals, groups,<br />
campaigns, businesses<br />
and much more. Users<br />
can decide own<br />
privacy settings.<br />
Flickr – Online photo<br />
and video hosting site.<br />
44 <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> Gazette Apr <strong>2013</strong><br />
members, parents/carers, an external<br />
audience, or everyone?<br />
Most social networking sites such as<br />
Twitter are straight forward in the respect<br />
that there is only one way of setting things<br />
up, but Facebook has a number of options,<br />
the most suitable for BB groups being:<br />
• Facebook ‘Fan’ page – This is<br />
particularly useful if you want to share<br />
your good news stories and events<br />
with an external audience. Perhaps<br />
you wish to wish to encourage new<br />
members / volunteers in your Company<br />
with a dedicated Facebook page.<br />
• Facebook ‘Group’ page – This is<br />
for when you want to share information<br />
with a select audience. For example,<br />
members of your Company. This<br />
should be a closed group.<br />
Remember that content is king! To get<br />
the most from social media, keep it<br />
engaging and not too long. Using just<br />
a handful of words or a sentence, or a<br />
picture with a caption is most effective.<br />
And where possible include a link is so<br />
you refer people to a place where they<br />
can fi nd out more.<br />
Things that must be in place...<br />
• BB Online Safeguarding & Child<br />
Protection Policies are being followed.<br />
• A registered BB Leader is taking<br />
Twitter – Social Network and microblog; posts limited<br />
to 140 characters ; generally used to highlight current<br />
(immediate) events / issues; Predominantly public domain<br />
although private messages between users is possible.<br />
Profi les range from personal ones to large organisations.<br />
LinkedIn –<br />
Social Network<br />
used predominantly<br />
for professional<br />
purposes;<br />
Posts can be<br />
public or private<br />
YouTube – Video<br />
sharing and Social<br />
Network. Registered<br />
users can update an<br />
unlimited number<br />
of videos<br />
responsibility for maintaining/<br />
moderating/posting.<br />
• <strong>The</strong>re is a knowledge and understanding<br />
of the potential risks to children and<br />
young people online.<br />
• Privacy levels have been set to control<br />
what content can be seen by who and<br />
how content is moderated or reviewed.<br />
Tips for maintaining safety online...<br />
• No BB leaders should be in one to one<br />
communication with BB children and<br />
young people outside of BB hours.<br />
• BB leaders should not have young<br />
people as their “friends” on Facebook<br />
etc or publish images of BB children and<br />
young people on their personal pages.<br />
• Don’t target children under the age<br />
of 13 – remember the minimum<br />
age requirement for most social<br />
networking sites is 13.<br />
• Don’t take or publish any personal<br />
details of children and young people.<br />
No names, home or email addresses,<br />
schools or mobile numbers<br />
• Be careful how you use photos of<br />
children (if a child is named, avoid<br />
using their image or if an image is<br />
used, avoid naming the child). Obtain<br />
children’s and parents’ written consent<br />
to use photographs on websites.<br />
• Think before you post and always seek<br />
the permission of the children and young<br />
people and their parents before adding<br />
them to your social network page<br />
For advice or who to contact if you<br />
have concerns...<br />
• Contact BB Headquarters for advice,<br />
information or to report a concern.<br />
• Check out the advice available online<br />
at www.thinkuknow.co.uk,<br />
www.kidscape.org.uk,<br />
www.nspcc.org.uk and<br />
www.ceop.gov.uk.<br />
• Report concerns to the Child<br />
Exploitation and Online Protection<br />
Centre (CEOP) or regional equivalent.<br />
Any BB leaders considering setting up a<br />
social media presence should read the<br />
BB Safeguarding Policy and Procedures<br />
guide which can be found online at:<br />
http://www.boys-brigade.org.uk/<br />
safeguarding.pdf<br />
twitter.com/theboysbrigade<br />
facebook.com/theboysbrigade
Planning your<br />
Programme<br />
<strong>2013</strong>– 2014<br />
To help you plan your programme for next session you will find some ideas below on how you could get your Company<br />
or Section involved in a national awareness day/week/month. You will find a wide range of resources to support you in<br />
running your programme by visiting the website links.<br />
BBC Children in Need:<br />
15th November <strong>2013</strong><br />
Find out how your group can get<br />
involved and support BBC Children<br />
in Need, a charity event which<br />
raises money to fund projects<br />
which help children all over the UK.<br />
Resources are available online at<br />
www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey<br />
Road Safety Week:<br />
18th to 24th<br />
November <strong>2013</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> theme for Road<br />
Safety Week <strong>2013</strong> is:<br />
TUNE IN! Help to raise awareness of<br />
road safety within your group, there<br />
are lots of ideas for activities as well<br />
as the resources to help you run them.<br />
Go to www.roadsafetyweek.org for<br />
more information and resources.<br />
Christingle Fortnight:<br />
1st – 14th December <strong>2013</strong><br />
Celebrate Christingle with your group<br />
this Christmas and raise vital funds<br />
for <strong>The</strong> Children’s Society. Resources<br />
and information are available to<br />
download at www.christingle.org<br />
British Heart Month:<br />
February 2014<br />
Help raise awareness<br />
and raise essential<br />
funds in the fi ght<br />
against heart disease<br />
during British Heart<br />
month held throughout February.<br />
Go to www.bhf.org.uk/red for<br />
more information and resources.<br />
Fairtrade Fortnight:<br />
24th February – 9th March 2014<br />
Fairtrade is all about better prices,<br />
decent working conditions, local<br />
sustainability, and fair terms of<br />
trade for farmers and workers in<br />
the developing world. Go to<br />
www.fairtrade.org.uk for more<br />
information and resources.<br />
UK National<br />
Astronomy Week:<br />
1st – 8th March<br />
2014<br />
NAW is held every<br />
few years or so<br />
to promote public awareness<br />
of astronomy by celebrating<br />
remarkable astronomical events.<br />
Previous NAWs have marked the<br />
return of Halley’s Comet, the closest<br />
approach of Mars to Earth for<br />
60,000 years and, most recently,<br />
the 400th anniversary of the first<br />
astronomical use of the telescope.<br />
Go to www.astronomyweek.org.uk<br />
for more information and resources.<br />
RSPCA Week:<br />
28th <strong>April</strong> to 4th May 2014<br />
RSPCA Week raises income,<br />
and awareness of the work the<br />
RSPCA does, it’s been running<br />
every year since 1995. Find out<br />
how your group can get involved at<br />
www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved<br />
WWF’s Earth Hour<br />
Saturday 29th March 2014<br />
Earth Hour is a global event to<br />
highlight the need to look after<br />
our planet. Get involved and do<br />
your bit, register your group at<br />
http://earthhour.wwf.org.uk.<br />
Download a free resource full of<br />
activities, games and information<br />
for every age group to help you<br />
get involved.<br />
Recycle Week<br />
20th – 26th June 2014<br />
Get your group involved in recycling<br />
during the annual Recycle Week 2014.<br />
Go to: www.recyclenowpartners.<br />
org.uk for information and resources.<br />
If you get involved in any of the<br />
above or another awareness day<br />
/campaign then let us know<br />
what you got up to by sending<br />
in your story and any pictures.<br />
You can email submissions to<br />
gazette@boys-brigade.org.uk<br />
Apr <strong>2013</strong> <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> Gazette 45
HERE & THERE<br />
1st Dalry<br />
Pictured are Josh McNab and Callum<br />
Wilson being presented with their<br />
President’s Badges. <strong>The</strong>se are the fi rst<br />
to be awarded to 1st Dalry since 2004.<br />
2nd Route<br />
Mr Geoffrey Robinson recently retired<br />
as Captain of 2nd Route in Northern<br />
Ireland, having held the position for<br />
the past 37 years. He is pictured in the<br />
centre with, the Company Chaplain,<br />
Rev’d Noel McClean, the new Captain,<br />
Mr Thomas Skelton and the Offi cers of<br />
the 2nd Route.<br />
Knocknamuckley<br />
Pictured is the Knocknamuckley U14<br />
football team, winners of the Lurgan<br />
Battalion tournament.<br />
1st Market Weighton<br />
<strong>The</strong> Company celebrated its 30th<br />
anniversary in 2012. <strong>The</strong> main celebrations<br />
took place in November with a weekend full<br />
of events. <strong>The</strong>se included a fi reworks and<br />
BBQ, a takeover of local radio station Vixen<br />
101 by the Seniors, a trip to Waterworld<br />
and a service of rededication. Pictured<br />
is the Colour Party for the rededication<br />
service and Samantha Huxley, Daniel Lee,<br />
Callum Henderson and Andrew Robinson<br />
with their Queen’s Badge awards.<br />
2nd Chard<br />
Pictured are Alexander Billing and<br />
Richard Boxell of 2nd Chard receiving<br />
their Queen’s Badge awards. <strong>The</strong>se<br />
were presented by Brian Bushell,<br />
Battalion Vice President.<br />
Founder’s Celebration<br />
Service in Stirling<br />
Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> members, leaders and<br />
supporters celebrated the beginning of<br />
the <strong>Brigade</strong>’s 130th year in style with a<br />
very different Founder’s Celebration<br />
Service at Allan Park South Church. Over<br />
200 young people attended and were led<br />
in celebration of the <strong>Brigade</strong>’s Founder,<br />
Sir William Smith, by Royal Foundlings,<br />
Scotland’s premier Christian rock band,<br />
that put on an incredible set of uplifting,<br />
original and inspiring music. <strong>The</strong><br />
band’s lead guitarist and vocalist, Dave<br />
Brackenridge, spoke to the young people<br />
about growing up through the BB.<br />
Glasgow Battalion<br />
On Saturday 24th November 2012 the<br />
Glasgow Battalion hosted its annual<br />
Chanter and Solo Piping contest. Boys<br />
from all over the greater Glasgow area<br />
gathered at South Shawlands Church to<br />
take part. Former 108th Glasgow member<br />
Peter Maxwell (Milngavie Pipe Band)<br />
adjudicated and commented that “<strong>The</strong><br />
competition was very diffi cult to judge and<br />
there is a lot of promising young talent”.<br />
Special thanks goes to Wallace Bagpipes<br />
for their kind donation and continuous<br />
support of the Glasgow Battalion and their<br />
efforts to raise the profi le of piping and<br />
drumming within <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong>.<br />
1st Chester-le-<br />
Street<br />
<strong>The</strong> Company celebrated its Diamond<br />
Jubilee in style with a variety of events<br />
and presentations during 2012. <strong>The</strong>re<br />
were President’s and Queen’s Badges<br />
to award, boys attending Trooping<br />
the Colour and special services and a<br />
celebratory meal. <strong>The</strong> Company also<br />
increased its membership by over 10%.<br />
46 <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> Gazette Apr <strong>2013</strong><br />
twitter.com/theboysbrigade
Strathkelvin<br />
Battalion<br />
Five teams took part in the Strathkelvin<br />
Battalion First Aid competition. A well<br />
fought contest was eventually won by 1st<br />
Kirkintilloch. Pictured with the trophy is Alan<br />
Moffat and Scott Henry with Jon Kennedy<br />
from St Andrew’s First Aid.<br />
1st Waringstown<br />
1st Waringstown offers Duke of Edinburgh’s Award places to non BB members from<br />
other youth groups within the area. <strong>The</strong> photo shows participants after the presentation<br />
of their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.<br />
1st Waringstown BB leaders took part in Movember 2012 to raise over £1000 for<br />
Macmillan Cancer Support in Northern Ireland.<br />
Also pictured are some of the Battalion’s<br />
Anchors as Pirates, which was part of the<br />
Anchor Section fun day held in Lenzie<br />
Union Church.<br />
Northern District,<br />
ROI Region<br />
Anchors and Juniors enjoying the<br />
Fun day at GR8 in Castleblayney,<br />
Co. Monaghan.<br />
North Scottish Area<br />
Over 400 cards were entered in the<br />
Christmas card colouring competition<br />
organised by the North Scottish Area,<br />
which covers the Battalions from<br />
Shetland, Orkney, Highland, Moray,<br />
Banffshire, Buchan and Aberdeen &<br />
District. <strong>The</strong> competition was judged by<br />
Dame Anne Begg MP and in the photo<br />
she is reviewing the winning entries.<br />
Eastern District,<br />
ROI Region<br />
Some of the Junior members taking a<br />
break for a photo, with the Irish Sea in<br />
the background, during the recent hike<br />
on Howth Head, Co. Dublin.<br />
Aberdeen & District<br />
Battalion<br />
Aberdeen & District Battalion held its<br />
annual Junior Section 5-a-side football<br />
at Aberdeen Beach Leisure. Eight<br />
teams took part and the winner was 47th<br />
Aberdeen with 35th Aberdeen ‘A’ team as<br />
runners up. 3rd and 4th places went to<br />
35th Aberdeen ‘B’ team and 1st Kintore.<br />
<strong>The</strong> photos show all the teams who<br />
took part and the winning team from<br />
47th Aberdeen being presented with the<br />
Stedfast Trophy by Andrew Wyness, Junior<br />
Section Football Activities Organiser.<br />
35th Aberdeen<br />
<strong>The</strong> 35th Aberdeen launched a toy<br />
appeal at Christmas for under privileged<br />
children in the Aberdeen area; the photo<br />
shows the boys presenting over 100 toys<br />
and games to a local charity ‘Befriend a<br />
Child’ whose mascot ‘Cuddles’ received<br />
the toys and games.<br />
facebook.com/theboysbrigade<br />
Apr <strong>2013</strong> <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> Gazette 47
HERE & THERE<br />
1st Cheslyn Hay<br />
Over the Christmas holiday a small, but<br />
hardy group of leaders and boys from<br />
1st Cheslyn Hay, had a day out climbing<br />
the Wrekin in Shropshire.<br />
31st Cardiff<br />
<strong>The</strong> Company supported the 2012<br />
Christmas Shoebox Appeal by Samaritan’s<br />
Purse. <strong>The</strong> shoeboxes were wrapped and<br />
fi lled with Christmas gifts supplied by the<br />
families of the Company. <strong>The</strong> boxes were<br />
then distributed across the world to bring<br />
a gift of love to a child in need.<br />
Highland Battalion<br />
Danny Alexander, Chief Secretary to the<br />
Treasury and local MP, congratulated<br />
the Highland Battalion on its receipt of<br />
funding from “Awards for All Scotland”<br />
with which the Battalion bought IT and<br />
communication equipment.<br />
1st Maralin<br />
Six members of 1st Maralin spent four<br />
days during August 2012 on their Gold<br />
Expedition in the Wicklow Mountains.<br />
Conditions were diffi cult for the fi rst<br />
day, but they worked together well and<br />
supported each other through whatever<br />
nature threw at them.<br />
Silver Duke of<br />
Edinburgh’s<br />
Expedition<br />
Members from 6th Penn, 10th Lanesfi eld,<br />
2nd Oakengates and Sutton Coldfi eld<br />
Companies are pictured during the<br />
Wolverhampton & Shropshire Battalion<br />
Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Expedition<br />
weekend in <strong>The</strong> White Peaks, Derbyshire.<br />
5th Eastwood<br />
<strong>The</strong> 5th Eastwood BB/GB Company,<br />
which was formed in September 2012,<br />
held its fi rst church parade in November.<br />
1st Westgate-on-Sea<br />
1st Westgate-on-Sea Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> and<br />
Girls’ Association after winning the East<br />
Kent Battalion Junior and Company<br />
Swimming Gala in November 2012.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Junior Section was joint winner<br />
with 2nd Strood.<br />
NSA Conference 2012<br />
Buchan Battalion hosted the annual<br />
NSA Conference in October 2012 at<br />
Peterhead. Pictured is Rev’d Isobel<br />
Akers getting help from Anchor Boys<br />
during morning service at Peterhead<br />
Methodist Church. Boys from all over<br />
Buchan fi lled the Church to capacity.<br />
1st Uddingston<br />
Pictured are two young members from<br />
1st Uddingston at the Company’s<br />
Christmas Fair, helping on one of the<br />
stalls where over £1,000 was made<br />
which was used for panto and karting<br />
trips for the Company.<br />
48 <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> Gazette Apr <strong>2013</strong> twitter.com/theboysbrigade
1st Malvern/<br />
1st Fleet<br />
<strong>The</strong> 1st Malvern and 1st Fleet arranged<br />
their national competition chess match<br />
half way between the two Companies<br />
at the Steam Museum in Swindon.<br />
19th Bradford<br />
<strong>The</strong> Anchor Boys at 19th Bradford have been<br />
learning about Noah’s Ark, here they are<br />
with their Noah’s Ark complete with animals,<br />
rainbow, dove and <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> logo.<br />
1st Hartlepool<br />
<strong>The</strong> 1st Hartlepool celebrated its 125th<br />
anniversary in October 2012, with<br />
a parade and Church service. <strong>The</strong><br />
Company also celebrated its 116th<br />
camp at Castle Howard in August 2012,<br />
the fi rst camp being in 1891.<br />
Portadown<br />
Battalion<br />
<strong>The</strong> Portadown Battalion Junior Section<br />
Swimming Gala took place in January. A<br />
total of eleven Companies took part with<br />
4th Portadown winning the event overall.<br />
<strong>The</strong> trophy was presented by members<br />
of the Armagh branch of <strong>The</strong> Royal Ulster<br />
Constabulary George Cross Association.<br />
7th Birmingham<br />
Pictured are Sam Morgan and James<br />
Hobson being presented with their<br />
President’s awards.<br />
133rd London<br />
Pictured are Juniors from 133rd London,<br />
who were the winners of the Haringey<br />
Battalion Team Games competition.<br />
1st Thurso<br />
<strong>The</strong> 1st Thurso continues with fundraising<br />
to repair its hall and recently held a bag<br />
pack at the local supermarket.<br />
12th Hamilton<br />
Pictured here is Warrant Offi cer Colin<br />
Murray and some of the Company<br />
Section of 12th Hamilton getting a lesson<br />
in shaving as part of a series of ‘Life<br />
Skills’ training, which has included other<br />
issues such as Men’s Health, Interview<br />
Techniques, Healthy Eating, Fitness,<br />
First Aid and Exam and Study Technique.<br />
1st South Wigston<br />
<strong>The</strong> 1st South Wigston celebrated its fi rst<br />
anniversary in November 2012. Pictured<br />
are young members of the Company<br />
who were allowed to hold the fi re hose<br />
and look all over the fi re engine when the<br />
local Fire <strong>Brigade</strong> visited the Company.<br />
83rd Birmingham<br />
Pictured are some of the 83rd<br />
Birmingham Junior Section members<br />
on a visit to Solihull Fire Station.<br />
facebook.com/theboysbrigade Apr <strong>2013</strong> <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> Gazette 49
Supermarkets... supporting<br />
their local communities<br />
Does your Company need some vital funds for a specific project, equipment or event? We have put together details<br />
on how you could get support from your local supermarket. Most supermarkets support community organisations and<br />
groups in a number of ways, below is a selection of just some of those.<br />
Each month every Waitrose branch<br />
donates £1,000 (£500 in Convenience<br />
shops) between three local good<br />
causes. At the checkout, customers<br />
receive a token and are asked to place<br />
it in a box of the good cause they’d<br />
most like to support. <strong>The</strong> more tokens<br />
a cause gets, the bigger the donation<br />
they receive. To nominate your group<br />
go into your local Waitrose store and<br />
pick up a form to complete.<br />
Find out more at: www.waitrose.com<br />
TIP: Do you know someone that works<br />
at a local supermarket? If so, ask them<br />
to fi nd out what support there might<br />
be for local community groups. Many<br />
supermarkets support charities and<br />
groups that their staff are involved<br />
with in one way or another.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Asda Foundation was set up to<br />
support the local causes that Asda<br />
employees get behind, helping to<br />
make a difference in local communities.<br />
Both large and small projects are<br />
funded across the UK. <strong>The</strong> Asda<br />
Foundation supports requests<br />
which have the direct support and<br />
involvement from colleagues locally.<br />
Find out more at: http://charities.asda.<br />
com/asda-foundation<br />
<strong>The</strong> Co-operative Membership<br />
Community Fund is all about putting<br />
profi ts back into the community. It<br />
welcomes applications for funding<br />
from charities and local community<br />
groups across the UK.<br />
Find out more at: www.co-operative.<br />
coop/membership/localcommunities/community-fund/<br />
Tesco support charities and local<br />
good causes in a number of ways,<br />
fi nd out how your group could benefi t:<br />
Community Awards<br />
<strong>The</strong> Tesco Charity Trust Community<br />
Awards Scheme provides one-off<br />
donations of between £500 and £4,000<br />
to registered charities and not for profi t<br />
organisations who are working on local<br />
projects that support children and their<br />
education and welfare, elderly people<br />
and adults and children with disabilities.<br />
Bag Packing<br />
Tesco’s allow groups to come into store<br />
and to fundraise through bag packing,<br />
and each store manager deals with<br />
their own bag packing bookings<br />
(excludes Express stores). To arrange<br />
bag packing at your local store to<br />
raise funds for your group contact the<br />
Store Manager or Charity / Community<br />
Champion at your local store.<br />
Donations<br />
Each Tesco UK store (excluding Express)<br />
holds a community donation budget<br />
to help local organisations with their<br />
fundraising events. If your group would<br />
like to be considered for a donation<br />
please write to the Charity / Community<br />
Champion at your local store.<br />
Tesco for Schools & Clubs<br />
Based on feedback received from<br />
schools and clubs about this scheme<br />
Tesco is currently reviewing how this<br />
scheme works and is looking to launch<br />
the <strong>2013</strong> scheme later in the year.<br />
Community Champions<br />
Tesco has Community Champions in<br />
a lot of their stores. <strong>The</strong>ir role is to act<br />
as an ambassador for their store within<br />
the local area, being a great neighbour<br />
and bringing genuine benefi t to the<br />
local community. Contact the Charity/<br />
Community Chapion at your local store<br />
to see how they could help your group.<br />
Find out more about Tesco’s community<br />
promises at: www.tescoplc.com/<br />
corporateresponsibility<br />
TIP: Ask your local supermarket if you<br />
could collect at the front or outside<br />
the store (collecting boxes/buckets<br />
can be purchased from BB Supplies).<br />
Sainsbury’s is currently operating<br />
its Active Kids scheme. Active Kids<br />
vouchers are available from all main<br />
Sainsbury’s stores, local stores,<br />
petrol stations and with online groceries<br />
deliveries until 22nd May <strong>2013</strong>. Your<br />
Company can redeem Active Kids<br />
vouchers for a wide range of activity<br />
and cooking equipment, sports kit and<br />
professional coaching sessions. <strong>The</strong><br />
more vouchers you can collect, the<br />
more you can get out of the scheme,<br />
so it’s all about getting the children<br />
and young people in your Company<br />
collecting vouchers via parents, family<br />
members and friends and bringing<br />
them along to BB. It is a great way of<br />
also involving the church congregation.<br />
If you are not already registered, there<br />
is still time, call 0844 415 8440 to<br />
register your Company (you will be<br />
asked your Company Name and for<br />
the contact details of a coordinator<br />
for the scheme at your end). Currently<br />
BB groups are not able to register<br />
online through the Active Kids website,<br />
but you can check out the website<br />
for more information on the scheme.<br />
Find out more at:<br />
www.sainsburys.co.uk/activekids/<br />
Don’t forget to let us know<br />
what you do get up to, if<br />
you do take part or are<br />
successful in any of the<br />
above. Just send an email to<br />
gazette@boys-brigade.org.uk<br />
and good luck!<br />
50 <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> Gazette Apr <strong>2013</strong>
OPEN<br />
TO<br />
GOD?<br />
No one can compare to you, our Lord,<br />
No one at all…<br />
We go to bed and you are with us<br />
We wake up and you’re still there…<br />
From the rising of the sun<br />
To its setting<br />
And to its rising again<br />
You are so faithful.<br />
Help us to rejoice in you<br />
this and every day:<br />
Help us to celebrate that you are our God<br />
And we are your people…<br />
And may we never take for granted<br />
the privilege that is ours<br />
in being called to follow your Son –<br />
the one who bought us this life<br />
and the next… Amen<br />
“Do we see the Christian faith as something<br />
that stops us from doing so much... or do<br />
we see it as a door-opener?”<br />
How much do we recognise that it is, very much,<br />
a privilege to follow Jesus?<br />
And how much are we tempted to think of our<br />
faith as a bind? As something that inhibits us?<br />
Do we see the Christian faith as something that stops us<br />
from doing so much... or do we see it as a door-opener?<br />
Widening our vision to see so much more?<br />
Our response to these questions will pretty much depend<br />
on our experience of the people we have encountered<br />
throughout our engagement with the BB.<br />
If others have been excited about the faith and all it leads to,<br />
then we will be too and we will know for sure that it really is the<br />
most enormous privilege to be counted among God’s people.<br />
If on the other hand, our experience has been of folks who<br />
are more grudging in the way they live their belief in God,<br />
then we may well fi nd that it is more diffi cult to think of faithful<br />
living as something that’s good – never mind a privilege.<br />
Which means that you and I really do need to think about<br />
the message we might be portraying as leaders, chaplains,<br />
boys and girls in the <strong>Brigade</strong> – in the words we speak as<br />
well as in the things we do.<br />
Other people notice.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y care.<br />
And... we are the ones who will turn them on or off the<br />
Christian faith...<br />
How sobering a thought is that?<br />
But how liberating too.<br />
Because all that is asked of us is honesty.<br />
We need to share what’s tough and even what we feel<br />
might be beyond belief, whilst saying why we choose still<br />
to hang in there. We need to be ourselves. And in the<br />
honesty of saying what it is we fi nd tough and what it is we<br />
fi nd easy, the hope is that others may fi nd the courage to<br />
explore where faith might take them.<br />
Come, Lord Jesus,<br />
you who knew and knows<br />
what makes us tick...<br />
who chooses to come<br />
to us even now<br />
to show us the way to life.<br />
Come and make us whole<br />
that all we do<br />
and say<br />
all we think<br />
may point to you<br />
the one who takes away<br />
all our doubts and our fears<br />
our amazing Lord Jesus Christ.<br />
Amen<br />
<strong>The</strong> Rev’d Susan Brown<br />
Ist Dornoch<br />
Chaplain to the Queen in Scotland<br />
Minister of Dornoch Cathedral<br />
Church of Scotland<br />
Apr <strong>2013</strong> <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> Gazette 51
Around the regions<br />
NORTHERN IRELAND<br />
twitter.com/bbni<br />
facebook.com/boysbrigadeni<br />
Musician<br />
of the Year<br />
Now in its eighth year the Northern<br />
Ireland Junior Section Musician of the<br />
Year took place with an excellent entry<br />
of 47 boys. <strong>The</strong> variety of instruments<br />
and selection of pieces entertained the<br />
very appreciative audience throughout<br />
the afternoon. All boys performed<br />
extremely well and the overall standard<br />
was very high. <strong>The</strong> adjudicator,<br />
Eileen Rodgers, provided very useful<br />
guidance and advice along with very<br />
encouraging comments.<br />
<strong>The</strong> results were as follows:<br />
1st – Daniel Sharpe, 2nd<br />
Carrickfergus Company<br />
(Tenor Horn – Where is Love)<br />
2nd – Timothy Moore, 3rd Ballyclare Company<br />
(Piano – <strong>The</strong> Entertainer)<br />
3rd – Tyrone McKee, 1st Killead Company<br />
(Drums – Nothing Holding Back)<br />
Professor Norman Nevin OBE, presented the certifi cates and trophies.<br />
<strong>The</strong> winner was presented with the Robert Renwick Cup,<br />
and 2nd/3rd places awarded small trophies.<br />
All boys received a Certifi cate of Participation.<br />
Three boys were also presented with Highly Commended certifi cates:<br />
Niall Black, 1st Muckamore Company (Flute); Aaron Turner,<br />
9th Ards Company (Violin) and Ben Wright,<br />
1st Garvagh Company (Flute).<br />
Congratulations to all boys who took part.<br />
Swimming<br />
Gala<br />
Over 100 boys took part in<br />
the Northern Ireland District<br />
Junior Section Swimming<br />
Gala on Saturday 23<br />
February <strong>2013</strong>, Armagh.<br />
Boys from a number of<br />
Companies were successful<br />
in winning medals. <strong>The</strong><br />
overall winner was 9th Ards<br />
Company. <strong>The</strong> medals and<br />
Northern Bank Cup were<br />
presented by the Lord Mayor<br />
of Armagh City & District,<br />
Councillor, Sharon Haughey.<br />
Sale of Rathmore<br />
House and<br />
relocation of NI<br />
Headquarters<br />
Following the decision taken at NI District’s<br />
Extraordinary General Meeting in February<br />
2012, the NI District Executive can now<br />
confi rm that the sale of Rathmore House<br />
has been completed and that temporary<br />
offi ce accommodation has been secured at<br />
<strong>The</strong> Girls’ <strong>Brigade</strong> Headquarters in Antrim.<br />
<strong>The</strong> new contact details are:<br />
• Address: C2 Kilbegs Business Park,<br />
Ferguson Way, Antrim, BT41 4LZ<br />
• Telephone: 028 9454 8054 (ext 52)<br />
• Fax: 028 9454 8055<br />
On Sunday 30 December 2012, over 120<br />
Members and Leaders from across Northern<br />
Ireland District gathered to mark fi fty years’<br />
work at Rathmore House, Larne. A selection<br />
of photographs from the day is available at<br />
www.bbni.org.uk/nirathmore.htm<br />
125th<br />
Anniversary<br />
– Anchor<br />
Boys ‘Look<br />
out, Look<br />
up, Look forward’<br />
and Junior Section<br />
‘Big Day Out’<br />
Two events are being planned to bring together<br />
young people from across the District to celebrate<br />
125 years of <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> in Ireland. Anchor<br />
Boys and leaders on Saturday 27 <strong>April</strong> <strong>2013</strong> from<br />
10.00am – 4.00pm in W5, Odyssey, Belfast and<br />
Junior Section boys and leaders on Saturday<br />
11 May <strong>2013</strong> in Carnfunnock Country Park<br />
(just outside Larne). Initial details are available<br />
at www.bbni.org.uk/nijuniorsection.htm<br />
52 <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> Gazette Apr <strong>2013</strong>
NORTHERN IRELAND continued<br />
Around the regions<br />
Big Spring Clean<br />
TIDY Northern Ireland, an environmental charity,<br />
is currently seeking Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> Companies<br />
to work with it to promote a campaign it is<br />
running called the BIG Spring Clean.<br />
<strong>The</strong> BIG Spring Clean mobilised over 26,000<br />
volunteers in 2012 and TIDY NI is hoping to<br />
increase this number to 50,000 next year.<br />
To meet this ambitious target, TIDY NI is looking for organisations to work with<br />
across Northern Ireland and that is where <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> can get involved.<br />
This campaign is ideal for the volunteering section, working within the community<br />
for the Queen’s Badge and also for DofE Awards, but can be something that the<br />
whole Company can get involved<br />
in their local community.<br />
If you are interested in fi nding<br />
out more, visit the BIG<br />
Spring Clean website at<br />
www.bigspringcleanni.org<br />
or contact Patricia Magee<br />
at TIDY Northern Ireland<br />
on 028 9073 6920.<br />
Squad Drill Final<br />
<strong>The</strong> winners of the District Squad Drill<br />
Competition were 1st Ballyroney Company.<br />
Londonderry <strong>2013</strong><br />
As <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> in Northern Ireland<br />
celebrates its 125th Anniversary, the city of<br />
Londonderry is celebrating its place as the<br />
United Kingdom’s inaugural City of Culture.<br />
To mark both, Londonderry Battalion is planning<br />
a Walk of Witness led by Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> Bands<br />
from around the United Kingdom and Republic<br />
of Ireland, followed by a Concert led by Crown<br />
Jesus Ministries at Ebrington Square.<br />
Further details can be found on the<br />
Northern Ireland website at<br />
www.bbni.org.uk/ni125.htm<br />
republic of Ireland<br />
National Quality Standards Framework (NQSF) in the Republic of Ireland<br />
<strong>The</strong> youth work sector works with young people outside, yet<br />
alongside, the formal education sector. Both the Youth Work Act<br />
2001 and the National Youth Work Development Plan 2003-2007<br />
have provided youth work with clearer defi nition and direction.<br />
Section 3 of the Youth Work Act 2001 defi nes youth work as:<br />
‘a planned programme of education designed for the<br />
purpose of aiding and enhancing the personal and social<br />
development of young persons through their voluntary<br />
participation, and which is complementary to their formal,<br />
academic or vocational education and training; and<br />
provided primarily by voluntary youth work services’.<br />
This defi nition highlights four important dimensions of youth work:<br />
•<br />
• planned;<br />
• educational;<br />
based on voluntary participation;<br />
• provided primarily by voluntary youth work services.<br />
<strong>The</strong> continued development and sustainability of youth work<br />
requires that these dimensions be identifi ed, demonstrated and<br />
developed. <strong>The</strong> National Quality Standards Framework (NQSF)<br />
aims to ensure that youth work organisations provide quality<br />
services to young people. It also provides an opportunity to<br />
articulate their practice through the development of a common<br />
language within a structured framework.<br />
<strong>The</strong> NQSF is intended to be both practical and developmental,<br />
in that it will enable youth work organisations to assess service<br />
provision and to identify<br />
areas for development.<br />
As engagement in the<br />
NQSF is a continuous<br />
process, it is not expected<br />
that all organisations will<br />
be able to immediately<br />
and fully achieve all the<br />
standards as set out in<br />
this document. Neither is it the intention that the NQSF would<br />
require uniformity of provision. Rather, it aims to ensure that<br />
youth work providers continue to offer a rich and varied service,<br />
and commit to a process of continuous development through<br />
engagement in the NQSF.<br />
<strong>The</strong> NQSF is primarily a support and development tool for<br />
youth work organisations. Self-assessment is fundamental to<br />
the process. In addition, there is also an external assessment<br />
function, which serves to validate the self-assessment process<br />
and which is performed by VEC (Youth/Liaison) Offi cers for<br />
local youth work services or by the NQSF Standards Offi cer for<br />
national youth work organisations.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> in the Republic of Ireland is now engaged<br />
with the NQSF process that takes three years to complete<br />
and Philip Daley, Brian Weekes & Mark Acheson will form the<br />
Implementation Team along with Mary Robb of the City of Dublin<br />
Youth Service Board (CDYSB) will be our support offi cer.<br />
Apr <strong>2013</strong> <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> Gazette 53
Around the regions<br />
ENGLAND<br />
Athletics<br />
<strong>The</strong> Halifax Battalion is hosting the <strong>2013</strong> National Athletics on<br />
Saturday 13th July at Spring Hall track.<br />
As on previous occasions the event will be split into 3 sections<br />
and teams can be entered into any of the following age groups.<br />
<strong>The</strong> entry fee for each age group is £25.<br />
• Juniors (School years 7, 8)<br />
• Intermediate (School years 9, 10)<br />
• Seniors (School years 11 and above)<br />
We have also agreed the following track and fi eld events<br />
will take place.<br />
• 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m,<br />
• 100m Hurdles<br />
• 4 x 100m Relay<br />
• 4 x 400m Relay<br />
• Long Jump, Short Jump, Triple Jump<br />
• Shot, Discuss, Javelin<br />
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.<br />
Robert Batty – Halifax Battalion<br />
Phone Number – 07872832244<br />
Email – halifaxbb@hotmail.com<br />
Website – www.halifaxbb.co.uk<br />
Twitter – @HalifaxBB<br />
National Music Festivals<br />
<strong>2013</strong><br />
Do you have talented musicians<br />
in your church or BB/GB<br />
Company?<br />
If so, why not tell them about the<br />
National Music Festivals <strong>2013</strong><br />
for <strong>The</strong> Boys’ & Girls’ <strong>Brigade</strong><br />
and friends.<br />
Midlands event Saturday 18th May<br />
Vocal, Brass, Keyboard, Woodwind, String, Percussion and Mixed<br />
instrumental classes for soloists, duets, small groups, choirs and<br />
bands. An ‘all-age’ event. Why not have a go – it’s great fun!<br />
For more information visit http://natbrass.boys-brigade.org.uk/<br />
brassfest.htm or email: bbgbfestival@live.co.uk<br />
Organised by <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> National Brass Band Association<br />
54 <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> Gazette Apr <strong>2013</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> Big Night Out<br />
– 11th May <strong>2013</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> largest Christian youth event in the north east of England!<br />
Held at Lightwater Valley, Ripon, North Yorkshire with<br />
‘Twelve<br />
24’ & ‘Galactus Jack’<br />
Put the date in your diary now.<br />
Showcase <strong>2013</strong><br />
Following HM <strong>The</strong><br />
Queen’s Diamond<br />
Jubilee Celebrations<br />
and the London 2012<br />
Olympics at which<br />
many of our <strong>Brigade</strong><br />
bands participated,<br />
we are hoping to<br />
capture the same<br />
enthusiasm that was<br />
evident last summer<br />
by continuing to<br />
empower our young<br />
people. <strong>The</strong> British<br />
Marching Band<br />
Championships next<br />
June, are a great<br />
way to encourage<br />
and provide<br />
opportunities for all<br />
our musicians to be involved.<br />
Already a number of new bands to the Championships have<br />
expressed an interest and we would like to invite all <strong>Brigade</strong><br />
bands, at whatever level of experience, to enter. We cater<br />
for all types of musical instrumentation from trumpets, fl utes,<br />
brass, BB bugles, pipes & drums in both the traditional<br />
marching band and drum corps styles.<br />
On the 1st June <strong>2013</strong> we hope to be able to showcase the<br />
best and largest number of <strong>Brigade</strong> bands ever assembled<br />
from across the British Isles. <strong>The</strong> <strong>2013</strong> application/entry<br />
form is already available to download from the Showcase<br />
website at: www.showcasemarchingbands.co.uk where<br />
you can also fi nd additional information and media fi les<br />
from previous years. If you would like more details or<br />
are just considering being part of this <strong>Brigade</strong> event then<br />
please contact: ray.westbrook@hotmail.co.uk
Around the regions<br />
scotland<br />
twitter.com/thebbscotland<br />
facebook.com/theboysbrigadeinscotland<br />
CashBack launch<br />
At an event in Leith on 19th December 2012,<br />
Kenny MacAskill MSP, announced a further<br />
tranche of CashBack funding for the consortium<br />
of youth organisations, including <strong>The</strong> Boys’<br />
<strong>Brigade</strong>. This amounts to £1.5 million over a<br />
three year period and will ensure that the small<br />
grants scheme can be continued from March.<br />
Stand up to<br />
Sectarianism<br />
<strong>The</strong> Scottish Government has made funding<br />
available to <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> to promote<br />
anti-sectarianism work across Scotland. A<br />
pilot project with three strands of developing<br />
programme materials, training for volunteers<br />
and a small grants scheme has been<br />
established. Information has already been<br />
circulated to Battalions.<br />
Busy Day at Carronvale!<br />
<strong>The</strong>re was a good buzz around Carronvale House mid-January, when, despite a<br />
dreadful weather forecast, Queen’s Badge Organisers and Advisers, Company<br />
Leaders and Young People took part in three different activities.<br />
Queen’s Badge work in Scotland was on the agenda, when Organisers and<br />
Advisers reviewed the activities in their Battalions and Areas, sharing examples of<br />
good practice as well as helping each other with areas of concern.<br />
A group of Company Section leaders found out what is involved in running the<br />
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in their Companies, when Pete Moir, one of the<br />
Operations Officers for DofE Scotland, led a full and informative day’s workshop.<br />
In the Sports Hall, Badminton Scotland ran a pilot Badminton Basics Coaching<br />
Course for 15 – 18 year olds. <strong>The</strong> young men who took part all had a great day<br />
and will hopefully get an opportunity to coach some of the younger members in<br />
their Companies. It is hoped to provide this coaching course again in the future,<br />
when it could be used as a Skills for Queen’s Badge course.<br />
If you would like more information about how Queen’s Badge or the Duke of<br />
Edinburgh’s Award would work in your Company, please contact<br />
Scottish Headquarters.<br />
Burns Supper<br />
Over 40 guests enjoyed another excellent<br />
Burns Supper at Carronvale House on<br />
Monday 21st January, and raised in<br />
excess of £200 for ‘Friends of Carronvale’.<br />
KGVI young people and other BB leaders<br />
entertained during the evening, some<br />
reciting Burns’ most famous works, whilst<br />
others proposed toasts or ably replied!<br />
It’s always encouraging to see the wealth<br />
of talent we have in <strong>The</strong> BB! Thanks to all<br />
who were involved.<br />
Apr <strong>2013</strong> <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> Gazette 55
2nd Cambusnethan<br />
Spanish Villa Holiday 2012<br />
2nd Cambusnethan Company<br />
celebrated its 60th<br />
Anniversary in Session 2011<br />
/ 2012 and without a doubt<br />
one of the highlights had to be the<br />
Summer Holiday in July 2012,<br />
when the Company flew to Malaga<br />
from Edinburgh to spend two weeks<br />
in a private ten bedroom villa in the<br />
Spanish Costa Del Sol resort<br />
of Benalmadena.<br />
Once the initial idea was accepted to<br />
go to a villa, it was amazing how quickly<br />
things were organised. As none of the<br />
staff had organised a foreign holiday<br />
except for personal family holidays, it<br />
opened up a completely new challenge.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Villa owner was thrilled that a Boys’<br />
<strong>Brigade</strong> Company was using his villa.<br />
<strong>The</strong> fl ights were booked with Jet 2 who<br />
made it very easy to book a group<br />
with low deposits and fi nal passenger<br />
details not being required to nearer the<br />
departure time.<br />
<strong>The</strong> holiday began as soon as we<br />
stepped on the bus at Cambusnethan to<br />
travel to Edinburgh Airport. In true 2nd<br />
Cambusnethan style the banter didn’t<br />
stop until we all returned home safely<br />
two weeks later.<br />
Every day was different apart from it<br />
was always a scorcher, which was very<br />
far from the situation in the UK! <strong>The</strong> sun<br />
brought fun, laughter and memories,<br />
which will be remembered for many<br />
years to come. <strong>The</strong> programme was<br />
very laid back, starting with continental<br />
buffet style breakfast, which allowed a<br />
56 <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> Gazette Apr <strong>2013</strong><br />
lie in if boys and staff wanted it. Each<br />
day, time was set aside for a time of<br />
worship in the basement lounge area,<br />
led by the Company Captain and gave<br />
everyone a rest from the blazing sun<br />
and a time to refl ect.<br />
Days were spent lazing around the<br />
pool, various games involving footballs,<br />
infl atable rings, airbeds and upturned<br />
sun loungers. Day trips to the local<br />
beaches, water park and surrounding<br />
resorts of Fuengirola and Torremolinos<br />
using the very effi cient and cheap<br />
rail service proved popular. However,<br />
the hike to the railway station in<br />
Benalmadena proved a bit of a challenge<br />
and was likened to an expedition, given<br />
the steep uphill route. <strong>The</strong> Olympics<br />
proved a hit on the four large fl at screen<br />
TVs situated throughout the villa and<br />
wifi made it easier to communicate with<br />
family back home.<br />
Without a doubt the highlight of the<br />
holiday was a trip to Gibraltar, spending<br />
time in the town shopping for tax free<br />
gifts to take back home. After lunch we<br />
all embarked upon a trip up the rock to<br />
meet, as one of the boys put it, “the wee<br />
mad apes”! Our tour guide in our own<br />
private minibus entertained us with funny<br />
stories and quick-witted comments. We<br />
came face to face with Gibraltar’s most<br />
famous residents, the Barbary Apes,<br />
the only wild primates in all Europe. 2nd<br />
Cambusnethan wasted no time in getting<br />
to know the apes and quickly had them<br />
eating out of their hands. After a visit<br />
through the caves and some photo<br />
opportunities, we boarded our bus back<br />
to Benalmadena.<br />
It was a different holiday and probably<br />
one that will not be repeated, but will<br />
remain a special memory of our 60th<br />
Anniversary Year. With strict budgeting<br />
and high level negotiation with local<br />
restaurateurs on evenings we opted<br />
to eat out, we managed to return £100<br />
to everyone who attended the holiday,<br />
which made the total cost per person for<br />
two weeks £675.00.<br />
Any Company who would like details of<br />
the villa we visited should contact the<br />
Company Captain William Rundell at<br />
wrrundell@rohss.co.uk
Final preparations are now underway for Turning Point<br />
<strong>2013</strong>, which will take place from Friday 26th to Sunday<br />
28th <strong>April</strong> <strong>2013</strong> at Ganaway Activity Centre Millisle.<br />
Our theme this year is<br />
‘unlocked’ based on the<br />
passage from Colossians<br />
Chapter 2 verse 3 – ‘He is the key<br />
that opens all the hidden treasures<br />
of God’s wisdom and knowledge,’<br />
(Good News Translation). With our<br />
speakers Pip Kerr and Amanda<br />
Mitchell confirmed, it’s shaping up<br />
to be an outstanding weekend.<br />
<strong>The</strong> programme is almost complete<br />
with Segway NI making a welcome return<br />
as well as all the on-site activities at<br />
Ganaway Activity Centre. Freshly made<br />
Blitz milkshakes are back in a plethora<br />
of fl avours. Throughout the weekend, the<br />
beacon will once again be transformed<br />
into an interactive prayer experience<br />
open to all. FASA are making a return<br />
with interactive seminars, looking at<br />
substance abuse and who could forget<br />
Turning Point’s ‘got talent’!<br />
As well as the old favourites, there are<br />
a lot of new activities at Turning Point<br />
<strong>2013</strong>! Eternity Socials will be taking<br />
over on the Friday night to provide an<br />
evening of fun and entertainment. <strong>The</strong>re<br />
are a series of exciting seminars for both<br />
leaders and young people, entitled<br />
Faith in Action, with contemporary<br />
speakers from Crown Jesus Ministries,<br />
Christians Against Poverty and the<br />
Christian Police Association.<br />
To keep up with the latest programme<br />
developments check out our website<br />
or fi nd us on Facebook!<br />
Want to be involved?<br />
<strong>The</strong> good news is that you still can! <strong>The</strong>re<br />
are plenty of camping places available<br />
for both male and female groups, and<br />
you can even hire tents from us or simply<br />
bring your own. If you can’t attend for<br />
the whole weekend, why not bring your<br />
group all day on the Saturday with our<br />
day tickets? You’ll have access to the<br />
same great activities as all the others, so<br />
get booking!<br />
For more information, or to receive<br />
forms for the event visit our website:<br />
www.turningpointni.org.uk or<br />
e-mail office@turningpointni.org.uk<br />
<strong>The</strong> Turning Point management team<br />
value your prayers for the event. In<br />
particular, we would appreciate prayers for:<br />
– To thank God for the last 5 years of<br />
Turning Point.<br />
– God to continue to advance his<br />
kingdom through the weekend.<br />
– That God will bless the management<br />
team in their preparations.<br />
– That the event will experience<br />
good weather.<br />
– That volunteers will be forthcoming and<br />
that they will know God’s blessings.<br />
– That Turning Point really will be a<br />
Turning Point in the lives of all those<br />
who attend.<br />
BRIGADE<br />
COUNCIL <strong>2013</strong><br />
6th to 8th<br />
September<br />
Belfast will be the base for<br />
<strong>Brigade</strong> Council in <strong>2013</strong> with<br />
the Council meeting taking<br />
place in the Assembly Buildings of<br />
<strong>The</strong> Presbyterian Church in Ireland.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Jury’s Hotel in Belfast City has<br />
been selected as the recommended<br />
accommodation for delegates as it is within<br />
easy walking distance of the Bus and Rail<br />
Station, the Council Meeting and City Hall.<br />
Belfast City Council will host a Civic<br />
Reception on the Friday evening to<br />
mark the 125th Anniversary of <strong>The</strong> Boys’<br />
<strong>Brigade</strong> in Ireland. All <strong>Brigade</strong> Council<br />
delegates are invited to join with local<br />
leaders as we celebrate this signifi cant<br />
event at City Hall.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re will be plenty of time for those<br />
attending Council to explore and<br />
experience the wide range of theatres,<br />
cinemas, restaurants, and other visitor<br />
facilities now available in Belfast.<br />
On Sunday morning a service will take<br />
place at St Mary Magdalene Parish<br />
Church – home to the 1st Irish Company.<br />
This service will mark the formation of<br />
the Company in 1888 and its legacy.<br />
Young Leaders’ Programme<br />
An Under 26 Programme will be<br />
organised by BB Connect – the Northern<br />
Ireland Under 26 Group. This will take<br />
place across Belfast and elements of the<br />
programme will enable participants to<br />
explore the history and redevelopment<br />
of our Capital city. Accommodation for<br />
this programme will be at Days Hotel in<br />
Belfast City Centre.<br />
Book your place(s) now by downloading<br />
the booking form from the BB website at<br />
www.boys-brigade.org.uk/council.htm<br />
If you have any questions regarding<br />
attending <strong>Brigade</strong> Council please contact<br />
the Northern Ireland Headquarters by<br />
phone on 028 9454 8054 or email at<br />
nihq@boys-brigade.org.uk.<br />
Apr <strong>2013</strong> <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> Gazette 57
“LOOK @ LIFE”<br />
Between Monday 19th and Friday 23rd November 2012, a team of BB Seniors and young leaders from Scotland took on one<br />
of the toughest assignments – a fi ve day course at the Royal Marine Command Training Centre in Devon. In addition to the<br />
demanding physical activities, the BB Team also endured the incredibly wet conditions the region was suffering at that time.<br />
FIVE DAYS WITH THE ROYA<br />
Some of the group members used the experience as part of their DofE Gold residential, whilst others were keen to for a new and tough<br />
challenge. Ryan Taylor (1st Strichen) kept a blog on his incredible, but tough, experience.<br />
Monday 19th<br />
<strong>The</strong> bus arrived at the Royal Marines<br />
training barracks in Lympstone at around<br />
3pm. It had been raining on and off all the<br />
way down, but fortunately it had settled by<br />
the time we arrived.<br />
After being allocated rooms, we were<br />
directed to get back outside in three ranks<br />
to collect our uniforms. We were led to<br />
the other side of the barracks to some<br />
containers where we collected our gear,<br />
including camoufl age trousers, jacket<br />
and a pair of boots. We were told to meet<br />
outside the accommodation at 5pm in our<br />
T-shirts to go for ‘scran’ (the Marines word<br />
for food!). <strong>The</strong>ir mess hall was huge and<br />
58 <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> Gazette Apr <strong>2013</strong><br />
so were the portions of food! Afterwards,<br />
in a lecture we were shown videos<br />
about the Royal Marines and were<br />
told what we were going to be doing.<br />
Everybody seemed excited and ready<br />
to go... But how long would that last?<br />
Tuesday 20th<br />
Everybody was up and outside by 7am<br />
for scran. Again, we were in our T-shirts<br />
even though it was raining! We had been<br />
told that we couldn’t wear anything under<br />
or on top of our T-shirts or wear hats or<br />
hoodies so we felt cold ALL THE TIME!<br />
Our fi rst look at Marines training was the<br />
Endurance Course. To say it was hard<br />
would be an understatement. We put<br />
our camo jackets<br />
and trousers on and<br />
were sent out in mini<br />
buses to a random<br />
area of boggy ground<br />
and heather. Our fi rst<br />
challenge was running<br />
towards the fl ow of<br />
water in a river that<br />
was up to our knees.<br />
It put a lot of strain on<br />
your leg muscles, but<br />
with encouragement from each other, we<br />
all made it through.<br />
Now that we were soaking wet, we got to<br />
leopard crawl (lie on your stomach and<br />
drag your elbows and legs as close to the<br />
ground to move forward) through some<br />
‘fake tan’ (coloured dirt that stuck to our<br />
clothes and skin!). <strong>The</strong>re wasn’t much<br />
dirt, but there were plenty of sharp stones<br />
and sticks so we got nice bruised knees<br />
afterwards! We were then challenged to<br />
get all 30 people up onto the ledge at the<br />
side of the dirt, feet fi rst in 1:30 minutes.<br />
Immediately, there were six people who<br />
started throwing others onto the ledge<br />
and those who were up had to grab<br />
others and pull them up. <strong>The</strong> last person<br />
had to do a hand stand in the dirt and we<br />
all dragged him up by the feet. We did<br />
it in 2:40 minutes so we jumped in and<br />
tried again. Amazingly, second time, we<br />
managed to get all 30 up in 1:20 minutes!<br />
We set off running again through some<br />
more rivers that were at our thigh height.<br />
By now, our legs were feeling the pain.<br />
Luckily, they got a little rest while we<br />
leopard crawled through two tunnels; they<br />
were half fi lled with water because they<br />
were below ground level and it had been<br />
raining heavily.
<strong>The</strong> most memorable moment of the<br />
Endurance Course for me, and probably<br />
everyone else, would be the last tunnel<br />
we went through which was completely<br />
under water. We split into threes and got<br />
into a pool of water; two at one side and<br />
one at the other. One person had the job<br />
of pushing someone down through the<br />
tunnel while the other person had to<br />
stick his arm in and grab whatever he<br />
could to get them out. This was quite<br />
scary because we had to trust people<br />
we didn’t know to get us out! <strong>The</strong> water<br />
was freezing and you were under for<br />
about 4-6 seconds so it defi nitely<br />
got my heart pumping, but when you<br />
got out it felt amazing!<br />
When we got back we had hot showers<br />
and went for scran. I had never seen<br />
so much food on our plates! We then<br />
got a talk with the Royal Marines<br />
L MARINES<br />
and learned about what<br />
equipment they use on the front line.<br />
Wednesday 21st<br />
Today was the assault course and<br />
thankfully it had stopped raining. We<br />
did a warm up run followed by some<br />
demonstrations and practices. It started<br />
with us running and jumping over a pit of<br />
water and landing on both feet. A few of<br />
us (including myself) jumped too late and<br />
landed in the water! We were then faced<br />
with a wall that was slightly higher than<br />
us so we had to jump and lift ourselves<br />
over. Next were monkey bars over water,<br />
bunny hops in boggy ground, then<br />
leopard crawling through more boggy<br />
ground. Another wall was blocking our<br />
way, but it was smaller than the fi rst. We<br />
then vaulted over a metal gate feet fi rst,<br />
crawled through a tunnel, climbed up a<br />
mesh net and jumped down the other<br />
side. Needless to say, we were all out of<br />
breath, wet and muddy but it wasn’t over<br />
yet! We were told that we had to do it<br />
again, but this time we were being timed!<br />
In the afternoon, we headed to the<br />
gymnasium for our Royal Marine fi tness<br />
tests. This consisted of the bleep test,<br />
push-ups, sit-ups and pull-ups. <strong>The</strong>re<br />
were 4 Commando Marines and a<br />
Sergeant there to watch us and keep<br />
our score. It was hard on our muscles,<br />
but we were all pleased with what we<br />
had achieved.<br />
When we got back to the accommodation,<br />
we were to get in the press-up position<br />
facing down a hill. It was a straight<br />
15-20 minutes of hard exercises in our<br />
heavy and soaking wet uniforms. <strong>The</strong><br />
various exercises put strain<br />
on our arms, legs, stomach<br />
and hands.<br />
That night after our scran, we<br />
were back in the gymnasium<br />
for a friendly game of 6-aside<br />
football between ourselves. It was funny<br />
watching people trying to run and enjoy<br />
the game while recovering with aching<br />
leg muscles from the assault course.<br />
Thursday 22nd<br />
We had a 3 mile run at 8:30am. <strong>The</strong> fi rst<br />
1.5 miles we ran as a group led by the<br />
Sergeant. For the remainder, we had<br />
to run as fast as we could to the fi nish.<br />
Unfortunately the weather wasn’t on our<br />
side and it poured down! I’m pleased<br />
to say that everyone managed to do the<br />
whole 3 miles and felt a great deal of<br />
satisfaction in doing it.<br />
We were not graced by the mass of food in<br />
the mess hall, but instead got to enjoy some<br />
rations, which turned out surprisingly good!<br />
<strong>The</strong>re was chicken curry, beef goulash,<br />
sausage and beans and I had carrot and<br />
coriander soup. We were also shown how<br />
to put up a poncho. This is a waterproof<br />
sheet that gets tied between two trees at a<br />
height between our knee and hip.<br />
Later, we were given a demonstration<br />
on how to apply ‘camo cream’. We were<br />
given a small tin which had black, brown<br />
and green cream which we put on each<br />
other’s faces. We only had fi ve minutes<br />
to perfect our face-painting techniques!<br />
It might have been fun, but back at the<br />
base, it was a nightmare trying to get<br />
the stuff off!<br />
Since it was our last night, we had to<br />
hand back our kit and clean our boots.<br />
We then enjoyed an hour in the barracks<br />
large pool and sauna which was a great<br />
end to the week.<br />
Friday 23rd<br />
<strong>The</strong> day started as usual at 7am with<br />
scran. We then got our bags outside<br />
and lined up in our three ranks waiting<br />
for the Sergeant to arrive. We were given<br />
certifi cates for fi nishing the course and<br />
said our thanks to the team of Marines.<br />
We then departed for our 10 hour journey<br />
back to Scotland.<br />
To sum the week up, I’d have to say that it<br />
was very challenging and both physically<br />
and mentally demanding. Despite the pain<br />
and bruises, I have to say that I enjoyed<br />
every minute of it and it is an experience<br />
that I will remember forever. It was great<br />
sharing the experience with people of the<br />
same age that I hardly knew, but we all<br />
shared a lot of laughs as if we knew each<br />
other well. By doing the course I know that<br />
the Marines is not the career choice for<br />
me, but I can now look back and say that<br />
I tried it!<br />
This incredible opportunity was provided<br />
at very little cost thanks to support<br />
from the Royal Marines. Plans are being<br />
drawn up about similar work with the<br />
Royal Marines for later this year.<br />
Apr <strong>2013</strong> <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> Gazette 59
<strong>Brigade</strong> announcements<br />
DONATIONS TO THE GET UP AND GO APPEAL<br />
We gratefully acknowledge the following donations to the<br />
Get up and Go appeal.<br />
1st Alderholt .................................£17.35<br />
1st Dearham ..............................£364.69<br />
4th Peterborough ....................... £11.20<br />
8th South Shields ....................... £20.00<br />
QUEEN’S NEW YEAR’S HONOURS<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Brigade</strong> congratulates:<br />
David George Robert Cherry, Kingston, Merton and Mid Surrey<br />
Battalion. Composer and Arranger, Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> Marching<br />
Bands, was awarded an MBE for services to Children and Young<br />
People (Hinchley Wood, Surrey). Very sadly David has recently died.<br />
Thomas George Hugh Hanlon, 3rd Portadown, was awarded<br />
an MBE for voluntary services to Young People in County Armagh<br />
through <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> (Craigavon, Armagh).<br />
Wesley William Lewis, JP, 58th Belfast, was awarded a BEM<br />
for services to Young People in Belfast through <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong><br />
(Belfast, Antrim).<br />
CENOTAPH PARADE WHITEHALL<br />
Due to a waiting list from last year’s event, all the places for<br />
this November have already been allocated. If any Company<br />
would like to apply for 2014 (Company Section age upwards)<br />
please contact Jan Williamson at BB Headquarters<br />
jan.williamson@boys-brigade.org.uk<br />
Please be aware that due to restricted ticket allocation we may not<br />
be able to meet all demands and we issue tickets on a fi rst come<br />
fi rst served basis. <strong>The</strong> tickets are primarily for the young people<br />
and offi cers should not take more than two tickets (preferably one)<br />
per Company. Correct uniform is required and will be a condition<br />
of ticket allocation.<br />
New <strong>Brigade</strong> Training Officers for Scotland<br />
Congratulations to the following, who successfully completed<br />
their training to become BTOs in November 2012:<br />
Jenny Sclater<br />
John Williams<br />
Billy Mycock<br />
Fraser Boyd<br />
Ian McCallum<br />
Aberdeen & District<br />
Motherwell, Bellshill & District<br />
Shetland<br />
Stirling & District<br />
Scottish Headquarters<br />
MEETING OF THE BRIGADE EXECUTIVE – 23RD<br />
FEBRUARY <strong>2013</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> Meeting was held at <strong>Brigade</strong> Headquarters Felden Lodge.<br />
This is a summary of the main items covered.<br />
• Finance<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Brigade</strong> Treasurer reported on the <strong>Brigade</strong> Finances for the<br />
nine months to 31st December 2012. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Brigade</strong> was in a better<br />
position than anticipated with income higher and expenditure lower<br />
than projection. <strong>The</strong> Executive agreed the Finance Committee’s<br />
proposed budget for <strong>2013</strong>/14 and associated capitation fees (to<br />
be approved at <strong>Brigade</strong> Council) which would be for two sessions.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Executive discussed the operation of Stedfast Supplies.<br />
• <strong>Brigade</strong> Secretary<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Brigade</strong> Secretary updated the Executive on staffi ng matters.<br />
<strong>The</strong> preliminary fi ndings of the questionnaire sent to Companies<br />
without a Captain was presented. A number of Trust Funds for<br />
which the Executive has responsibility were discussed. <strong>The</strong> future<br />
of the <strong>Brigade</strong> Archives was discussed. <strong>The</strong> Executive agreed to<br />
constitute a small group representing all Regions to support the<br />
area of national competitions.<br />
• Business Director<br />
<strong>The</strong> Business Director updated the Executive on the statistical<br />
return process and Company Designations. <strong>The</strong> future operation<br />
of the <strong>Brigade</strong>’s database was discussed.<br />
• Director of Youth and Children’s Work<br />
<strong>The</strong> Director of Youth and Children’s Work updated the Executive<br />
on current work.<br />
• Development Plan<br />
<strong>The</strong> Executive received updates on the various consultations held<br />
and agreed the broad objectives of the <strong>2013</strong>-18 plan. It will have<br />
further discussions in June, prior to bringing the Plan to <strong>Brigade</strong><br />
Council in September.<br />
• <strong>Brigade</strong> Council<br />
<strong>The</strong> Executive was updated on the arrangements for <strong>Brigade</strong><br />
Council <strong>2013</strong> to be held in Belfast. A motion in the name of the<br />
Belfast Battalion was received concerning work with under 4’s. <strong>The</strong><br />
future of Council was discussed with a conference model being<br />
planned for Glasgow in 2014. It was agreed that no future plans for<br />
post 2014 would be initiated until that event had been evaluated.<br />
• Reports<br />
<strong>The</strong> Executive received reports from Regional Directors and the<br />
minutes of Regional Committees.<br />
• <strong>Brigade</strong> Office Bearers<br />
Mr C L Row would be standing down as a Vice President at<br />
Council. <strong>The</strong> Executive appointed Mr M Smith, <strong>Brigade</strong> Vice<br />
President, as its Chairman for the <strong>2013</strong>/14 session.<br />
NEW COMPANIES<br />
We apologise to the 2nd Sawston which was listed incorrectly<br />
in the January issue. <strong>The</strong> Company should have been listed<br />
as being affi liated to St Mary’s Church, Sawston.<br />
<strong>The</strong> following Companies have been enrolled since the<br />
last Gazette:<br />
COMPANY CAPTAIN CHURCH<br />
1st Bude Gladys Jose Bude Central Methodist<br />
Church, Bude, Cornwall<br />
1st Campbeltown Alexander Nimmo Lorne and Lowland,<br />
(acting)<br />
Argyll, Scotland<br />
28th Stirling Brian Laurie Bridge of Allan Parish<br />
(acting)<br />
Church, Stirlingshire,<br />
Scotland<br />
60 <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> Gazette Apr <strong>2013</strong>
<strong>Brigade</strong> announcements<br />
BRIGADE COUNCIL<br />
Registered Office: <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong>, Felden Lodge,<br />
Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP3 0BL<br />
Registered Company No.: 145122<br />
Registered Charity No.: 305969<br />
<strong>The</strong> provisions of the Company’s Act extend the right to appoint<br />
a proxy to all categories of membership. Accordingly, the calling<br />
notice below for the Annual General Meeting of <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong><br />
utilises such provision whereby all voting members of <strong>Brigade</strong><br />
Council will have a right to vote by proxy.<br />
All members may vote in person if present at the meeting or if<br />
cannot be present may alternatively either appoint a general proxy<br />
or vote by post.<br />
THE BOYS’ BRIGADE<br />
(A PRIVATE COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)<br />
BRIGADE COUNCIL – ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING<br />
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING<br />
of THE BOYS’ BRIGADE will be held at the Presbyterian Church in<br />
Ireland, Assembly Buildings, 2-10 Fisherwick Place, Belfast BT1<br />
6DW on Saturday 7th September at 1.00pm to consider and, if<br />
deemed fi t, to approve the following resolutions, all of which are<br />
being proposed as ordinary resolutions. (See previous Gazettes,<br />
Company mailings and website for further details of the <strong>Brigade</strong><br />
Council weekend event)<br />
AGENDA<br />
1. To receive and adopt the Accounts for the year ended 31March<br />
<strong>2013</strong> together with the Reports of the <strong>Brigade</strong> Executive and<br />
Auditors thereon<br />
2. To fi x the annual capitation fees for the <strong>2013</strong>/14 session as<br />
proposed below<br />
Capitation Fees for <strong>2013</strong>/14 and 2014/15<br />
<strong>The</strong> Capitation Fee structure with effect from 1 September <strong>2013</strong> is:<br />
Category<br />
Fee<br />
Annual Company registration fee £130<br />
Fee per young person £12.50<br />
Company Offi cers £26.00<br />
(second offi cer at the same address) £21.00<br />
Battalion & District Offi cers not on<br />
Offi cer fee Company roll £26.00<br />
Offi cers in receipt of state<br />
retirement pension<br />
£20.00<br />
Offi cers in full time education<br />
or training<br />
£20.00<br />
Helper Fee £12.50<br />
<strong>The</strong> fee in respect of an Associate Member is £27.00<br />
<strong>The</strong> maximum fee that a Company may pay in respect of young<br />
people is £1,500.00<br />
Please note – these proposed capitation fees will also apply<br />
for the 2014/15 session as well as the <strong>2013</strong>/14 session.<br />
3. To reappoint Whiting and Partners as auditors of <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong><br />
and authorise the <strong>Brigade</strong> Executive to fi x their remuneration<br />
4. To appoint <strong>Brigade</strong> Offi ce Bearers for <strong>2013</strong>/14<br />
session as follows:<br />
President:<br />
Vice Presidents:<br />
Treasurer:<br />
Chaplain:<br />
Lord Griffi ths of Burry Port<br />
Mr T W P Donaldson<br />
Mr A S Burrow<br />
Mr M J Smith<br />
Mr C Bygrave<br />
<strong>The</strong> Very Rev’d Andrew McLellan CBE<br />
5. Motions in the name of the <strong>Brigade</strong> Executive:<br />
To amend <strong>Brigade</strong> Regulations as follows:<br />
a) In <strong>Brigade</strong> Regulations Section 7 – <strong>Brigade</strong> Council Standing<br />
Orders, delete existing clause 47 and replace with:<br />
47 Where a motion has been properly raised under<br />
the Memorandum & Articles of Association or <strong>Brigade</strong><br />
Regulations, it can only be withdrawn by those that proposed<br />
it under Article 23 or Regulation 83. However, the original<br />
proposers of a motion may accept an amendment to omit,<br />
insert or add certain words, and in that case the amended<br />
motion becomes the substantive motion to be considered by<br />
<strong>Brigade</strong> Council. An amendment that has not been accepted<br />
or withdrawn must be considered by <strong>Brigade</strong> Council.<br />
b) In <strong>Brigade</strong> Regulations Section 3 – <strong>The</strong> Organisation-<br />
Regulations and Procedures add an additional clause 83.5:<br />
83.5 <strong>The</strong> proposers of any motion may accept an<br />
amendment to omit, insert or add words. <strong>The</strong> terms of<br />
any subsequent amended motion shall be published in<br />
the July issue of the Gazette immediately succeeding.<br />
<strong>The</strong> purpose of these two motions is to permit proposers<br />
of motions to accept an amendment prior to the meeting of<br />
<strong>Brigade</strong> Council to save time at the meeting.<br />
6. Motion in the name of the Belfast Battalion:<br />
“That <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> recognises within the<br />
Organisation a new section providing play based<br />
activities for the age range 3 – 5 where there<br />
is a desire on the part of the Church and the Company<br />
for such work. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Brigade</strong> Executive would make<br />
the necessary changes to the Age Regulations”.<br />
7. To transact any other lawful business<br />
By order of the <strong>Brigade</strong> Executive<br />
Steven Dickinson<br />
<strong>Brigade</strong> Secretary 1st March <strong>2013</strong><br />
All Members of <strong>Brigade</strong> Council as defi ned by the Articles<br />
of Association are entitled to be present and vote at this<br />
meeting or, in their absence, they may appoint a proxy to<br />
attend and vote on their behalf. A form of proxy will be sent<br />
to all members with the July Gazette and, if used, should be<br />
returned to the Company’s Registered Offi ce not later than<br />
1.00pm on Thursday 5th September <strong>2013</strong>.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Members of <strong>Brigade</strong> Council are: Companies, Area<br />
Groups (Battalions & Districts), Members of the <strong>Brigade</strong><br />
Executive and Members of Regional Committees.<br />
Apr <strong>2013</strong> <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> Gazette 61
Fantastic Fundraising<br />
<strong>The</strong> Members of 3rd Kilsyth Company have raised thousands of<br />
pounds to help build a kitchen in a primary school in Malawi.<br />
<strong>The</strong> fantastic fundraising<br />
efforts tallied at an amazing<br />
£7000 in just 18 months for<br />
the charity Mary’s Meals.<br />
<strong>The</strong> money raised will go towards<br />
building a kitchen for the 1500<br />
children at the Katete 1 Primary<br />
School in Blantyre, Malawi.<br />
Christine Johnston, Captain, said: “As<br />
it was our 60th anniversary, we wanted to<br />
do something special. <strong>The</strong> fact that the<br />
members have not only met the target,<br />
but have done it six months ahead of<br />
schedule is testament to their hard work<br />
and dedication.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> money was collected through bag<br />
packing at local supermarkets, a series<br />
of quiz nights, concerts, and donations<br />
from parents and congregation<br />
members. <strong>The</strong> young fundraisers are<br />
hoping to travel to Malawi in the near<br />
future to visit the school and in the new<br />
year will be continuing with their efforts<br />
to raise even more for Mary’s Meals.<br />
Christine added: “I am so proud of what<br />
they have achieved so far and admire<br />
their determination to keep going.<br />
I must also thank the local people in<br />
the Kilsyth area for their support and<br />
donations. Mary’s Meals is a wonderful<br />
charity and the money raised is going<br />
to be life changing for the people<br />
of Malawi.”<br />
PRESIDENT’S COMMENDATION<br />
Ryan Jeffrey of the 2nd Barrhead<br />
Company was presented with the<br />
President’s Commendation by Mr Alistair<br />
Burrow, <strong>Brigade</strong> Vice President, on the<br />
3rd February <strong>2013</strong>.<br />
<strong>The</strong> commendation was presented to Ryan<br />
for the perseverance he has shown in the<br />
challenges he has faced and overcome.<br />
Ryan has been a loyal and cheerful member<br />
of the Company and has shown great<br />
determination and commitment and his<br />
character is an inspiration to all.<br />
62 <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> Gazette Apr <strong>2013</strong>
What do you think?<br />
That’s right; we want to find out what you think about this magazine.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Gazette was first published back in 1889<br />
and so is in its 124th year of publication and in<br />
that time has seen many changes to its format,<br />
frequency, design and content.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Gazette Editorial Team is currently looking at how we<br />
can ensure that the Gazette is meeting the needs of our<br />
readers. As the official communication of <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong><br />
and being distributed to around 9,000 leaders across the<br />
country, it is an important tool and we want to have<br />
maximum impact.<br />
What do you like most about the Gazette? What could be<br />
improved? What would you like to see more or less of?<br />
<strong>The</strong>se are all questions we would like to put to our readers.<br />
So, now it’s over to you, let us know what you think by<br />
spending 5-10 minutes completing our Readers’ Survey,<br />
which can be found online at:<br />
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bbgazettesurvey<br />
Apr <strong>2013</strong> <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> Gazette 63
Global Fellowship:<br />
50th Anniversary – Roots and Routes<br />
Golden Jubilee Celebration<br />
of <strong>Boys'</strong> <strong>Brigade</strong> throughout the world<br />
50 years of Global cooperation<br />
Sunday 11th August 2pm - 6pm<br />
BB UK & RoI HQ, Felden Lodge, Hemel Hempstead<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Meet 50 leaders from all corners<br />
of the globe<br />
Share in a service of thanksgiving<br />
Unique badges, uniforms &<br />
souvenirs<br />
Open event to everybody involved<br />
with <strong>Boys'</strong> <strong>Brigade</strong>, past and<br />
present<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Stories, stands, displays and<br />
activities from around the world<br />
High tea / refreshments<br />
Marching Band display<br />
Fantastic garden party<br />
atmosphere<br />
For more details or to book your free place,<br />
visit www.globalfellowship.net or contact<br />
adric@globalfellowship.net<br />
<strong>2013</strong><br />
marks the fiftieth anniversary of<br />
Global Fellowship and the Golden<br />
Jubilee is being celebrated in<br />
style at a number of events held during the week 10th –<br />
17th August at Felden Lodge.<br />
<strong>The</strong> theme for the events is Roots and Routes. GF wants to look<br />
back to its roots; to understand the traditions, our shared history<br />
and the way we have developed. But the anniversary is also<br />
an opportunity to look forward to the routes we will take in the<br />
future; how we will develop as a family of organisations, what our<br />
focus will be, in which directions we will travel, and how we will<br />
continue to equip young people on their journey with Christ.<br />
Young Leaders’ Workshop<br />
As the host organisation, fi ve places have been reserved<br />
for young leaders aged 18 – 30 from the BB in the UK/RoI.<br />
<strong>The</strong> week-long programme consists of activities, sports,<br />
discussions and visits designed to enable young people to share<br />
experiences, make life-long friendships, worship together and<br />
learn from each other. This promises to be a time of inspiration<br />
to future service and builds on recent workshops in Africa.<br />
<strong>The</strong> cost for the week to include all food, accommodation<br />
and programme is £100. Young leaders would need to get<br />
themselves to Felden Lodge.<br />
<strong>The</strong> General Conference<br />
Every three years Global Fellowship gathers representatives<br />
from within the family of organisations to discuss strategic<br />
plans and elect the Executive Committee at a Council meeting.<br />
This has been combined in <strong>2013</strong> with a week-long General<br />
Conference for decision makers in all member organisations to<br />
create seminars on issues that affect us all. This is the perfect<br />
opportunity to build up your network of connections, fi nd new<br />
solutions to common issues and be inspired by the different<br />
ways we work towards our common mission.<br />
<strong>The</strong> cost for the week which includes all food, accommodation<br />
and programme activities, but excludes travel to Felden Lodge<br />
is £150.<br />
Felden Lodge<br />
64 <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> Gazette Apr <strong>2013</strong>
Golden Jubilee Celebration – Sunday 11th August 2-6pm<br />
You are invited to Felden Lodge for an afternoon of celebration<br />
and thanksgiving of our shared historical roots and our routes<br />
towards a future together. We will celebrate the 50th anniversary<br />
of GF with a garden party and service of thanksgiving led by<br />
the President of the BB in the UK/RoI, Lord Griffi ths of Burry<br />
Port. <strong>The</strong>re is no cost for this event, but places are limited so<br />
you are encouraged to register early through the GF website<br />
or by emailing adric@globalfellowship.net.<br />
Further information and an application form for each of<br />
the events can be found on the GF website at<br />
www.globalfellowship.net<br />
Can YOU help?<br />
Global Fellowship and BBUK/RoI do not want any young person<br />
to be prohibited from attending the workshop because of<br />
fi nancial hardship.<br />
Could you or your Battalion support a young person’s travel or<br />
accommodation costs? This would make a real difference and<br />
greatly widen the opportunity.<br />
BB UK is also hoping to bring a young leader and three young<br />
people from the Caribbean as a reciprocal visit to our young<br />
leaders attending the Fellowship camp in Tobago last July.<br />
Thanks to all those who have supported this so far.<br />
If you can help, but would like further details, please contact the<br />
<strong>Brigade</strong> Secretary (steve.dickinson@boys-brigade.org.uk) or<br />
the GF Treasurer, Richard Kyle (treasurer@globalfellowship.net)<br />
New GF staff<br />
As well as being an exciting year in GF’s history, <strong>2013</strong><br />
sees some staffi ng changes at GF. We have a new Chief<br />
Executive Offi cer, Chune Ho-Hip, the former President of<br />
<strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> of South Africa, and for the fi rst time<br />
we have a dedicated Communications Coordinator, Adric<br />
Constantinou-Etheredge, who will ensure our global family<br />
stays connected and GF shares its vision and mission with<br />
others around the world.<br />
Apr <strong>2013</strong> <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> Gazette 65
HM <strong>The</strong> Queen’s Diamond Jubilee<br />
<strong>The</strong> following items from the range to commemorate HM <strong>The</strong> Queen’s Diamond Jubilee are now<br />
reduced to clear.<br />
11 215 1 Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Pencil .........................was £0.50......now £0.25<br />
Blue Pencil with eraser featuring special BB commemorative design.<br />
11 216 1 Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Spring Pen .................was £1.80......now £0.90<br />
Blue stylish pen featuring the special BB commemorative design.<br />
11 217 1 Queen’s Diamond Jubilee ‘Windsor’ Mug ...........was £8.00......now £4.00<br />
White fi ne bone china mug featuring the special BB commemorative design.<br />
Order online 24 hours a day through the Online Shop at http://shop.boys-brigade.org.uk<br />
or call 08707 442 292.<br />
Stedfast Association News<br />
Federation Annual Council Meeting and Fellowship Weekend<br />
Federation’s Annual Council Meeting <strong>2013</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> Republic of Ireland Stedfast Association will host the <strong>2013</strong><br />
Federation’s Annual Council Meeting and Fellowship Weekend from<br />
Friday 10th May to Sunday 12th May <strong>2013</strong> and we look forward to<br />
seeing many representatives from the various Associations attending.<br />
Accommodation and the meeting will be at the Stillorgan Park Hotel<br />
and full details are with local Associations.<br />
News • News • News<br />
<strong>The</strong> outline programme for the weekend:<br />
Friday Evening Welcome Dinner (Optional)<br />
Saturday Morning Annual Council Meeting and Act of Worship<br />
Saturday Afternoon Tour<br />
Saturday Evening Gala Dinner<br />
Sunday<br />
Free<br />
Your contributions<br />
If you would like to contribute anything for future columns, please contact Philip Daley, <strong>The</strong> Stedfast Association,<br />
Unit C1 Nutgrove Offi ce Park, Nutgrove Avenue, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 or email boysbrigade@eircom.net<br />
or telephone +353 (1) 296 4622.<br />
66 <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> Gazette Apr <strong>2013</strong>
“<strong>The</strong> work out here has been at times challenging but also<br />
rewarding… <strong>The</strong> children all appear to be eager to learn and<br />
it has been great building up relationships with them and their<br />
teachers.” (Toby Smith, Uganda)<br />
“<strong>The</strong> kids’ clubs are so much fun… the young guys from<br />
the church that lead them do such a fantastic job… Everything<br />
has just left me thanking God at the end of each day!”<br />
(Jono Sparey, Kosova)<br />
If you would like to see God work in the lives of young people,<br />
then please do not hesitate to get in touch with us or point others<br />
in our direction. Email trips@smileinternational.org or call us<br />
on 01689 870932 – we’d be delighted to help!<br />
You can keep up to date with our work by looking at our<br />
facebook page www.facebook.com/smileinternational<br />
Are the young people in your Company often wondering<br />
what to do when they leave school?<br />
Wondering whether to go to Uni, start work straight away or go<br />
travelling? With Smile International they could:<br />
See things that many people could not even begin to imagine!<br />
Meet extraordinary people!<br />
Learn from the very community they are serving!<br />
Meet God in the last place they thought they’d fi nd Him!<br />
• Come back different!<br />
We have opportunities for 3, 6 or 9 months in Kosova, Uganda,<br />
Zimbabwe, India or Sri Lanka where young people can work<br />
alongside our Project Managers to provide essential support<br />
for some of the world’s poorest people.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Secret Diary of Alexander Williams, Captain of the 1st Nowhere Company<br />
<strong>April</strong> <strong>2013</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong>y don’t write hymns like that anymore, I thought to myself as I was driving home from the Easter Sunday service and found myself<br />
humming the tune to “Thine Be <strong>The</strong> Glory.” I never have been sure what a “raiment” is (apparently it’s not some sort of waterproof), but you<br />
can’t beat the tune. That Handel knew what he was doing.<br />
My journey home from church takes me through Snaresville, one of the less enticing parts of Nowhere. Admittedly, it’s not the sort of place<br />
where you don’t even dare to stop at the traffic lights (although I noticed that someone seemed to have stolen the red bulb from both lights<br />
at the junction of Wilson and Haffenden streets). But it’s definitely the least salubrious part of town. Lots of sprawling estates and known<br />
locally for its drugs problems and widespread unemployment. I had occasionally played with the thought that there was a great opportunity<br />
for BB work on the Snaresville estates. Once I even half-hinted at the possibility with our previous minister. But he looked at me as if I had<br />
just asked him to preach for the rest of the year on the book of Leviticus. So I decided to drop the idea.<br />
But with thoughts of glorious victory won over death ringing in my ears, and the warmth of the sun behind the windscreen, the idea began<br />
to eat at me again. Doesn’t the BB have something to offer the kids who live on the Snaresville estate?<br />
My brain was quick to answer in the negative: after the tentative steps first taken at our January staff meeting, we are now well-advanced<br />
in our plans to organise a Fun Day in May in the local park. It’s a profile-raising, recruitment initiative for the 1st Nowhere. This is not the<br />
time to be trying to set up a new satellite BB unit on a nearby estate. We barely have enough leaders as it is. And, let’s be honest, who<br />
wants to spend most of the evening worrying if someone is nicking your car stereo while you’re trying to teach first aid.<br />
But my mind then went back to a presentation at a recent Battalion meeting by a member of the national <strong>Brigade</strong> staff. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Brigade</strong> had<br />
been awarded government money to work in deprived areas and we might have to think about new ways of working. <strong>The</strong>re was a man in<br />
my office who volunteered at the Salvation Army’s day centre for old people in Snaresville. I suppose that it’s theoretically possible that the<br />
Sally Army might be prepared to sponsor a BB company in Snaresville, even if the home church isn’t too keen. And the <strong>Brigade</strong> apparently<br />
has resources for working in new ways in deprived areas. So if I got in touch with one of the new development workers, maybe we could try<br />
to recruit some leaders from some of the men who live on the estate? In fact, I had read in the local paper the previous week that there was<br />
a group of unemployed men on the estate who had got hold of a piece of land to use as community allotments. I wonder if any of them<br />
might be interested in doing something for kids at the allotments. I remember reading in the Gazette once about a BB crop-planting<br />
project somewhere in Africa. Maybe we could try to interest the urban tearaways of the Snaresville estates in gardening?<br />
I suddenly came to my senses as the lights changed to green. A BB company based at an allotment on the Snaresville estate? What was<br />
I thinking? No boy in his right mind would come. We’d never recruit any reliable leaders in a place like that. And the idea of getting any<br />
of them (boys or leaders) into uniform (or even any form of common raiment) was laughable. I turned left into Hudson Road and then took<br />
the next right into Neilson Drive. <strong>The</strong> tune came back into my head. But, this time, so did the words: something about scattering fear and<br />
gloom. Maybe I’ll just give that new development worker a ring after Easter and see whether or not he thinks it’s bonkers.<br />
Apr <strong>2013</strong> <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> Gazette 67
“THE CLEVELAND HIKE”<br />
THE OLDEST AND BEST OF BOYS’ BRIGADE HIKES.<br />
29 & 30 JUNE <strong>2013</strong><br />
IS YOUR COMPANY CONSIDERING ENTERING<br />
THE CLEVELAND HIKE THIS YEAR?<br />
Can your young people walk 20 – 25 miles over a weekend<br />
carrying all of their equipment?<br />
Can the young people read a 6-fi gure grid reference and<br />
use an O.S. map and compass?<br />
<strong>The</strong> Cleveland Hike is for teams of three (male, female<br />
or mixed) and as well as route fi nding includes a variety<br />
of incidents ranging from quizzes to assault courses.<br />
<strong>The</strong> hike provides experience for those working towards<br />
their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award<br />
Teams:<br />
Normal Team – three young people aged 12 – 19 years<br />
Veteran Team – three people aged 19+<br />
If your Company has never taken part in the Hike and<br />
wondered what it is like, then why not enter an Expedition<br />
Team, a team of young members with a leader.<br />
If you would like more information on the Cleveland<br />
Hike contact our Hot Line on 01302 869006 or e-mail<br />
westwoodcb@yahoo.co.uk for an Information pack.<br />
<strong>The</strong> maps needed are O.S NORTH YORKS MOORS<br />
OUTDOOR LEISURE 1:25000 No. 26 & 27.<br />
REMEMBER<br />
To take part in the Cleveland Hike you must be able<br />
to read a 6 FIGURE GRID REFERENCE and use a<br />
compass, our hike is not way marked<br />
Kilbryde Hike <strong>2013</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>2013</strong> Kilbryde Hike takes place on 8th/9th<br />
June over the hills and moors of South<br />
Lanarkshire and East Ayrshire<br />
<strong>The</strong> Hike has three challenges:<br />
• Senior Hike for young people between the ages of 14-18 on<br />
the day of the hike<br />
• Junior Hike for young people aged 14 or under on the day<br />
of the hike with at least one member of the team being 14<br />
• Expedition Hike for boys age 11 accompanied by an adult<br />
or Senior Boy, max of 6 per team.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Hike is for young people in teams of three – boys, girls<br />
or mixed with separate tents. <strong>The</strong> hike typically covers 25-35<br />
miles over the weekend, fi nishing with a meal and prize giving<br />
on the Sunday afternoon.<br />
<strong>The</strong> young people will require to be profi cient in map reading<br />
and be fi t enough to cover the distance on open moor. Teams<br />
are required to be self-suffi cient and carry all equipment<br />
necessary for their safety.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Expedition teams carry a reduced kit with larger items<br />
transported to the Camp Site. <strong>The</strong> Hike can be used as a<br />
practice expedition for Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Bronze Level.<br />
This is a challenge which tests the navigation and endurance<br />
skills and is greatly rewarding. Full details are supplied on<br />
receipt of entry.<br />
Entry form available from Glasgow Battalion website,<br />
www.bbglasgow.org.uk or search for <strong>The</strong> Kilbryde Hike<br />
on Facebook.<br />
WALTHAM WALK 2012<br />
Youth Challenge Expedition<br />
Sponsored by Sponsored by EXICOR PEST CONTROL and COTSWOLD ESSENTIAL OUTDOORS<br />
18 to 19 MAY <strong>2013</strong><br />
This is the 44th year of the WALTHAM WALK a unique expedition for young people,<br />
where they are able to test their team working and leadership skills in a competitive and adventurous environment.<br />
This is an expedition for teams of three or four walking through the Essex and Hertfordshire countryside (OS Explorer maps 183 Chelmsford<br />
& the Rodings). Camping, map reading and survival skills are essential to complete the course. <strong>The</strong> expedition comprises aspects of first aid,<br />
orienteering, “it’s a knockout”, “blockbusters” and assault course activities to name but a few. Points are gained for all parts of the expedition,<br />
which accumulate towards the winning of the many trophies.<br />
For safety, only those with the appropriate expedition training and equipment should enter (ages are as at 31 August <strong>2013</strong>):<br />
<strong>The</strong> Main Event<br />
For those aged 14-18, covering 30 miles over 2 days. Starting Saturday, camping overnight, and finishing Sunday, carrying all necessary equipment.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Super Veterans Event<br />
For those aged 19 plus, covering 30 miles over 2 days. Starting Saturday, camping overnight, and finishing Sunday, carrying all necessary equipment.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Veterans Event<br />
For those aged 19 plus, covering the 17 mile Saturday route, carrying all necessary equipment<br />
<strong>The</strong> Mini Trek<br />
For those aged 12-14, covering 15 miles over 2 days. Starting Saturday afternoon, camping overnight and finishing Sunday,<br />
carrying ‘day sacks’ only. This is a good introduction to expedition work.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Teeni Trek is a fully supervised non-competitive event for the under 12’s covering a selection of the mini trek route including overnight camp<br />
<strong>The</strong> events are suitable for DofE training expedition work (for DofE, teams of four can be accommodated).<br />
<strong>The</strong> Waltham Walk attracts on average 180+ entrants representing the majority of youth organisations.<br />
For all those of you who have the skills to meet this challenge and wish to enter this year’s WALK or require further information, please contact:<br />
Michael Wilding on 01285 861416, or Graham Farnfield on 0208 527 4532<br />
Or e-mail John M Brookes at publicity@walthamwalk.org.uk<br />
Or visit our web site www.walthamwalk.org.uk<br />
68 <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> Gazette Apr <strong>2013</strong>
<strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> Special<br />
ADVENTURE CAMPING<br />
MADE EASY!<br />
GREAT OUTDOORS, WATERSPORTS AND DRY-LAND ACTIVITIES<br />
“Acorn Adventure trips are popular with<br />
<strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> because with us you<br />
don’t have to worry about anything!<br />
Tents are set up, exhilarating activities are<br />
delivered by qualified instructors, food is<br />
tasty and nutritious. Improve team-building,<br />
learn new skills, increase self-confidence<br />
and have a great time, all in a safe & secure<br />
environment of Acorn Village!”<br />
BRECON BEACONS<br />
<strong>2013</strong> introductory offer for<br />
<strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong><br />
0121 504 2070 jason@acornadventure.co.uk<br />
www.acornadventure.co.uk<br />
4 nights only £149pp +VAT<br />
2 nights (weekends) only £49pp +VAT<br />
Included:<br />
Exclusive camping village, with tents<br />
and beds. Extra comforts for Leaders<br />
All food and drinks<br />
Instructor-led 3 activities a day<br />
20 adventurous activities<br />
including 8 watersports<br />
on Llangorse Lake<br />
OBITUARIES<br />
We pay tribute to BB members who have<br />
died during the last few months and<br />
thank God for their faithful service to<br />
the <strong>Brigade</strong> and church and their witness<br />
in the community.<br />
ELIZABETH (BETTY) MOFFAT (65) started<br />
serving in <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> as a leader in<br />
the Life Boys at her local church in Tullibody in<br />
1968 before moving to the 17th Stirling (Alloa)<br />
Company in 1972, where she and husband<br />
Tom remained until 1983. She was a member<br />
of the Stirling/Falkirk Battalion’s training team.<br />
Following their move to Newcastle upon Tyne in<br />
1983 Betty became involved with 1st Cramlington<br />
Anchor Boys, eventually becoming OIC of the<br />
Junior Section, whilst simultaneously running<br />
the supplies depot in Newcastle. In 1986 Betty<br />
became a National <strong>Brigade</strong> Training Offi cer and<br />
delivered training in the North of England District<br />
until 2009. Betty will be missed by all who knew<br />
her, but her work within the <strong>Brigade</strong> will live on.<br />
TREVOR MONTACUTE (77) joined the 1st Yeovil<br />
Company at the age of twelve. Serving the BB as<br />
an offi cer for all of his adult life he remained true<br />
to <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong>’s Object. He continuously<br />
offered his support and help, working well into<br />
retirement to assist in annual summer camps.<br />
He was a much loved offi cer and friend who will<br />
be fondly remembered and greatly missed.<br />
DEREK KENNEDY, (70) was a boy member of<br />
30th Dundee attached to St Columbas Church.<br />
Derek progressed through the ranks and became<br />
Captain of 2nd Blairgowrie in 1963. He also<br />
served as Training and Extension offi cer for a<br />
number of years with Perth & District Battalion.<br />
He took over as Captain of 1st Perth in 1983<br />
where he served until his death on 1st October<br />
2012. His enthusiasm and fun loving nature and<br />
his service to the BB will be greatly missed by<br />
both the young people and leaders alike.<br />
MIKE MARATOS, (63) joined the 63rd<br />
Manchester Company, Manley Park Methodist<br />
Church, Whalley Range in 1956. He transferred<br />
to 4th Manchester Company, McFadyen<br />
Congregational Church, Chorlton, where he<br />
served through the ranks eventually becoming<br />
Captain until it closed. Mike continued to serve<br />
as a Lieutenant in the 44th Manchester Company,<br />
Chorlton Methodist Church, until in 1974<br />
together with Jennifer his wife, founded the 4th<br />
Altrincham Company at Altrincham URC. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
both served the Company until his death last<br />
year. In 1998 Mike was appointed Battalion<br />
Treasurer of the Manchester & District Battalion.<br />
He was also an active member of his Church,<br />
serving for many years as Treasurer. Mike<br />
greeted everyone with a warm friendly smile<br />
and will be sadly missed by all you knew him.<br />
JOHN CAIRNEY (53) was a former boy and<br />
young man in the 3rd Kilmarnock Company. He<br />
particularly enjoyed football, hill walking and<br />
youth hostelling. John was a microbiologist and<br />
Professor at the University of Western Sydney<br />
in Australia. A Memorial Service for John<br />
was held in St Kentigern’s Parish Church in<br />
Kilmarnock. John will be sadly missed by his<br />
family and all who knew him.<br />
RON CLARKE (82) was a founder member<br />
of the 53rd Birmingham Company in 1944. He<br />
later became an offi cer and was a member for<br />
60 years. In 1985, when three churches joined<br />
together, the two local Companies amalgamated<br />
and Ron continued to serve as an offi cer in the<br />
7th Birmingham. Ron’s main interest was sport<br />
and he organised the Company’s cricket and<br />
football teams and also attended camp for many<br />
years. Ron’s commitment to the <strong>Brigade</strong> will<br />
be remembered by offi cers and young people,<br />
past and present.<br />
Apr <strong>2013</strong> <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> Gazette 69
SMALL ADS<br />
Small Advertisements Copy to BBHQ, Felden Lodge, Hemel Hempstead, Herts. HP3 0BL. <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> takes no responsibility<br />
for statements made in any advertisements here or elsewhere in the BB Gazette. Advertisements for the July <strong>2013</strong> issue should<br />
be received not later than 1st May <strong>2013</strong>. <strong>The</strong> cost is 20p per word.<br />
APPROVED CAMPSITES<br />
<strong>The</strong> following sites have been officially approved,<br />
having met Guidelines laid down by the <strong>Brigade</strong>,<br />
and local Fire and Public Health Authorities.<br />
AUCHENGILLAN OUTDOOR CENTRE<br />
offers a choice of camping areas and modern<br />
indoor accommodation in an unrivalled setting in the<br />
central Scottish Highlands near to Loch Lomond.<br />
Visiting groups can undertake an extensive range<br />
of challenging and adventurous activities (on and<br />
off-site) and there are lots of places of interest to<br />
visit close by. Free colour brochure available from<br />
Auchengillan Outdoor Centre, Blanefi eld, Stirlingshire<br />
G63 9AU. Tel: 01360 770256; Fax: 01360 771197;<br />
E-mail: centre@auchengillan.com<br />
Website: www.auchengillan.com<br />
FELDEN LODGE CAMPSITE 2014/2015.<br />
BB canvas campsite (operated by 10th Enfi eld) fully<br />
equipped for up to 70 (smaller camps welcome) at<br />
the BBUK HQ in Hertfordshire (from June to August).<br />
Contact Chris Norman on (t) 07703 571915 or<br />
(e) chris@boys-brigade.org.uk<br />
NORFOLK CAMPSITE 2014.<br />
BB canvas campsite operated by 10th Enfi eld<br />
fully equipped for up to 70 (smaller camps welcome)<br />
in West Runton (near Sheringham/Cromer).<br />
Contact Chris Norman on (t) 07703 571915<br />
or (e) chris@boys-brigade.org.uk<br />
HONEYHILL CAMP (NW Kent Battalion) 12 acres<br />
Bearsted Maidstone. Open from Easter to October.<br />
Small and large camps welcome. Showers, toilets,<br />
building with large kitchen, sports facilities.<br />
Canvas for hire or bring your own. Website:<br />
Honeyhill.boys-brigade.org.uk. Contact Andy Foster<br />
Tel: 01622 871997 Mob: 07747 1900394.<br />
Email: andy@frutales.fsnet.co.uk<br />
WEST MIDLAND DISTRICT CAMPING CENTRE,<br />
DYFFRYN ARDUDWY. <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> Camping<br />
Centre at Dyffryn Ardudwy has available 3 camp sites<br />
all suitable for mixed camps. <strong>The</strong> largest main centre<br />
site caters for up to 90 people, has a fully equipped<br />
kitchen and dining area. Also provided is dormitory<br />
accommodation for 40 people and meeting room/<br />
Chapel. Ridge tents are provided on the adjacent<br />
5 acre fi eld which can also be used for sports. <strong>The</strong><br />
2 smaller 3 acre sites cater for up to 50 people and<br />
include individual kitchen and store with gas range,<br />
grill, instant hot water heater, fridge & freezer. Tents<br />
and marquee are supplied for each 3 acre site. All<br />
three sites have their own fl ush toilets, wash and<br />
shower facilities. Details from Jamie Copson<br />
01905 480 955. Email: info@bbcamping.co.uk<br />
Website: www.bbcamping.co.uk<br />
VECTIS YOUTH CAMPS. Two beautiful campsites<br />
on the Isle of Wight with permanent kitchens, showers<br />
and toilets. Each site is self contained and is in<br />
easy reach of safe beaches and all the attractions<br />
of the Island. All tenting and equipment included.<br />
Prices from £53 per person per week. We are now<br />
taking bookings for weekend camps. Ideal for<br />
organised camps of between 25 and 250 people.<br />
Contact: Dettie Quirke. Tel: 07582 429929.<br />
Email: info@vectisyouthcamps.org Web:<br />
vectisyouthcamps.org<br />
GLENGARRY CAMP <strong>2013</strong>/14, Chideock, Dorset<br />
<strong>2013</strong>/14, Chideock, Dorset (near Lyme Regis).<br />
Fully equipped approved BB site 10 minutes from<br />
beach. Brick cookhouse, running hot and cold<br />
water, gas cookers and grills, chip fryer, new fridge<br />
freezer etc. White canvas for 30+ including<br />
40’ x 20’ marquee. Nearby leisure centre with<br />
indoor pool 10 mins. Contact Mark 07973 267779<br />
or email mark.myhan@talk21.com<br />
CRAGGAN, the Outdoor Centre of Edinburgh, Leith<br />
and District Battalion. Set in glorious countryside by<br />
Loch Tay, Perthshire. <strong>The</strong> Centre has disabled access,<br />
sleeps 30, is self-catering and is ideal for weekend<br />
and other camps. Well situated for outdoor and water<br />
70 <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> Gazette Apr <strong>2013</strong><br />
activities with own canoes and jetty. Contact craggan@<br />
thebb-edinburgh.org.uk or 0131 551 1200 ext 20.<br />
COOPERS MEAD CAMPSITE, Whitecliff Bay,<br />
ISLE OF WIGHT. Traditional camping at its very<br />
best and at a reasonable cost! Weeks available for<br />
<strong>2013</strong>, 2014 and beyond. Contact Ted Walliss on<br />
01737 352732 or edwardwalliss@btinternet.com<br />
BROADLEAS, HAYTOR, DEVON. Self catering<br />
accommodation for 30, plus 2 staff bedrooms that<br />
will sleep 5. Two shower rooms, fully equipped<br />
kitchen and dining area. Camping facilities for up to<br />
55. Tentage provided. Fully equipped kitchen, dining<br />
hall, showers and toilets. Outdoor swimming pool<br />
and large hall. Tel: Diana Dale 01452 615072. http://<br />
broadleas.boys-brigade.org.uk<br />
Email: broadleas@boys-brigade.org.uk<br />
‘CAMP AUGUST <strong>2013</strong> AND AUGUST 2014.<br />
Popular BB approved campsite at FRESHWATER,<br />
ISLE OF WIGHT. Fully equipped for approximately<br />
up to 60 people, canvas tents/marquee, fl ush toilets,<br />
mains gas/electric cooking, electric fridges, freezer<br />
and lighting. Close to safe sandy beaches and<br />
leisure centre. Minimum charge 20 campers. For<br />
free information pack and further enquiries contact<br />
John Osborn email: info@freshwatertrust.com<br />
Website: www.freshwatertrust.com<br />
Contact Tel no. 07796 177795<br />
CAMPING/HOLIDAY<br />
ACTIVITIES<br />
BLACKPOOL AREA. Self-catering accommodation.<br />
(1) Accommodation for 44 in comfort. 4 single<br />
bedrooms for staff. 2 shower rooms, bedding and<br />
crockery provided. Fully equipped kitchen. (2) Small<br />
Party Unit for 16 persons, including 2 staff rooms.<br />
Fully equipped as above. Both accommodation blocks<br />
are disabled friendly. (3) Camp site with camp kitchen/<br />
dining room, shower and toilet facilities. <strong>The</strong> complex<br />
includes a large sports hall with climbing wall and<br />
sports fi eld. Archery/Climbing sessions available.<br />
Quiet situation near Kirkham, a market town on the<br />
Fylde Coast. Within easy reach of <strong>The</strong>me Parks and<br />
Lake District. For brochure contact: <strong>The</strong> Warden, <strong>The</strong><br />
Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong>, Carr Lane, Treales, Kirkham, PR4 3SS.<br />
Tel: 01772 685000 email: offi ce@bb-northwest.org.uk<br />
website: www.bb-northwest.org.uk<br />
ROCK UK ADVENTURE CENTRES. Bring your<br />
Company/Battalion to one of our spacious<br />
adventure centres and be prepared to bring out your<br />
adventurous side. Carroty Wood (Kent), Frontier<br />
Centre (Northants), Summit Centre (South Wales)<br />
and Whithaugh Park (Scottish Borders). For more<br />
information go to www.rockuk.org email us quoting<br />
‘BBG’ to sales.info@rockuk.org Tel: 0844 8000 222<br />
SOUTHERN SCOTLAND. Spacious Edwardian house<br />
in its own grounds within the lovely town of Moffat. Rent<br />
the Well Road Centre for a self-catering conference/<br />
activity weekend/week. Open all year. Two meeting/<br />
activity rooms. Large kitchen and dining room. 13<br />
comfortable bedrooms of various sizes. Indoor sports<br />
hall. <strong>The</strong> beautiful Moffat hills for hiking/orienteering.<br />
Suitable for groups of 20 to 65 in number. Only your<br />
group in occupation during your stay. For brochure<br />
contact: Well Road Centre, Moffat DG10 9JT.<br />
Tel: 01683 221040 or website: www.wellroadcentre.co.uk<br />
GREENMOOR CENTRE, S35 7DX. Sheffi eld &<br />
District Battalion’s self-catering Centre. Sleeps 28<br />
(3 dormitories, separate 2-staff bedroom and 2-staff/<br />
disabled bedroom). Toilets, showers and fully fi tted<br />
kitchen. Internet access available. In Upper Don<br />
Valley, north of Sheffi eld on edge of Peak District<br />
National Park, within easy reach of M1. Grid ref<br />
SK280994. Contact Sue Cowie 01246-274021,<br />
email 2cfdbb@gmail.com<br />
CAMP 2014 – STOKE GABRIEL, SOUTH DEVON.<br />
Come and camp in our fully equipped white canvas<br />
next to farm/holiday park near Paignton. Shop/<br />
telephone and showers on Holiday Park. Many local<br />
attractions. Please enquire to Clive Gordon 0121 422<br />
0042 / 0771 876 1150. Email cliveg04@yahoo.co.uk<br />
More info/campsite photos on website http://3warley.<br />
boys-brigade.org.uk<br />
CAMPING IN NORTH WALES, DYFFRYN ARDUDWY,<br />
NEAR BARMOUTH. Site is fully equipped for 30 to 60<br />
plus people; suitable for mixed groups; fl ush toilets<br />
and showers; calor gas cooking and fully equipped<br />
kitchen and dining hall; caravan provided on site. Site<br />
not far from the sea; available early July to September<br />
every year. Apply for details to D K Jones, 2 Edinburgh<br />
Avenue, Caergwrle, Wrexham, Flintshire, North Wales,<br />
LL12 9LT. Telephone 01978 761105<br />
EXMOUTH, DEVON. BB fully equipped canvas<br />
camp for 100 people, over 13 acres. Smaller camps<br />
welcome (operated by Gloucestershire Battalion).<br />
Own canvas use also available. Five minute walk to<br />
the beach and walking distance to town. Toilet and<br />
shower block on site. Contact Diana Dale on<br />
01452 615072. Email: diandgorddale@hotmail.com<br />
Website: http://www.youthcampsite.co.uk<br />
THE ALBERT WILSON MEMORIAL FIELD,<br />
PRESTATYN, NORTH WALES. Split into two<br />
camping areas. Each fi eld has a cookhouse, toilets<br />
and shower facilities. One fi eld is suitable for smaller<br />
camps with people up to 36, and our main fi eld with<br />
recently refurbished cookhouse has facilities for larger<br />
groups. <strong>The</strong> majority of groups using the facilities are<br />
accommodated in tents which are usually organised<br />
through the site manager. Chapel building for worship<br />
or indoor facilities. Visiting groups will fi nd lots of<br />
great places nearby. Web: www.prestatyncampsite.<br />
co.uk Email: prestatyncampsite@hotmail.co.uk<br />
SWANAGE, DORSET. Excellent indoor accommodation<br />
available at Swanage Methodist Church, including<br />
showers, kitchen, youthroom, WIFI and All Age<br />
Sunday Worship. For information please contact Ralph<br />
Lewis – 01929 421767 / ralph@swanagemethodist.<br />
org.uk / www.swanagemethodist.org.uk<br />
ABERNETHY ADVENTURE CENTRES. Visit one of<br />
our 4 Outdoor Adventure Centres in Scotland with your<br />
Battalion / Company for an activity fi lled all inclusive<br />
weekend. Contact Karen Edmondson on 01479 818005<br />
or e-mail marketing@abernethy.org.uk for a copy of<br />
our brochure. Visit the weekends section of our website<br />
for more information www.abernethy.org.uk<br />
GLASSHOUSES MILL. In beautiful Nidderdale near<br />
Harrogate, hostel accommodation for 40. Access to<br />
sheltered lake and Yorkshire Dales. Close to Ripon<br />
and Flamingo land. Weeks still available for summer<br />
<strong>2013</strong>. For details www.themillactivitycentre.org.uk.<br />
Ring David Barnes 07748-214786 for more details.<br />
CHRISTIAN MOUNTAIN CENTRE, NORTH WALES.<br />
We are able to provide residential accommodation<br />
or just activities to support your BB camp. You<br />
can try anything from archery to rock climbing to<br />
paddleboarding to gorge walking (a BB favourite).<br />
Ideally situated on the coast near Dyffryn Ardudwy.<br />
For more information check out www.cmcpensarn.<br />
org.uk or contact us at offi ce@cmcpensarn.org.uk<br />
or on 01341 241718<br />
MISCELLANEOUS<br />
WANTED, brass band players, both male and<br />
female are more than welcome, who wish to join the<br />
London District Stedfast Association Brass Band. For<br />
further details contact the Secretary, Mike Ford on<br />
bbmford@aol.com or on home phone 0208 464 0689<br />
(answerphone if no reply) or mobile 07854 472171
London Stedfast Association<br />
<strong>The</strong> Stedfast Association was launched at<br />
the Royal Albert Hall in 1983 at the <strong>Brigade</strong><br />
centenary display and exists to enable past<br />
and present members and supporters to<br />
keep in touch with today’s Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong>.<br />
It provides practical and fi nancial support<br />
and countless new friendships have been<br />
made and International links formed. <strong>The</strong>re<br />
are Stedfast Associations around the UK,<br />
Republic of Ireland and abroad.<br />
Whilst, as our name suggests, we are the London<br />
Stedfast Association with many of our members having<br />
been in London Companies over the years, we do have<br />
members who have been in Companies all over the<br />
UK and even abroad.<br />
Due to the diversity of where our members live, we<br />
do not have regular meetings, but do hold an Annual<br />
Service of Thanksgiving followed by our Annual General<br />
Meeting each year, usually in March, at Wesley’s<br />
Chapel in City Road, London.<br />
However, we do have a London Bugle Band,<br />
London Brass Band and a bowls club in which<br />
members participate.<br />
We keep in touch with our members through our<br />
magazine, <strong>The</strong> Onlooker, which is produced three times<br />
a year in the Spring, Summer and Winter. This is, if we<br />
say it ourselves, a professionally looking publication<br />
with colour to front cover and centre spread and usually<br />
contains between 24 and 32 pages. We do like to try and<br />
include a Company spotlight in the magazine, together<br />
with items about the past and present and if you would<br />
like your Company featured, please contact us.<br />
30TH ANNIVERSARY<br />
1983 – <strong>2013</strong><br />
Our current membership is about 850 with a wide range<br />
of ages. We believe that our oldest member was born<br />
in January 1917 and the youngest in August 1991.<br />
We are always looking to recruit new members and if<br />
any of your Company Offi cers, boys reaching the age<br />
limit etc are interested in joining, please let me know.<br />
<strong>The</strong> annual subscription is £13.00 per year which<br />
includes receiving our magazine.<br />
Should you require any further information, please<br />
do not hesitate to contact me as follows:-<br />
E-mail roger.wallis2@ntlworld.com<br />
Telephone 020 8462 1235<br />
Post 26, Hambro Avenue, Hayes,<br />
Bromley, Kent, BR2 7LS.<br />
Alternatively, you can view our website<br />
www.londonstedfastassociation.org<br />
Our aim is to support Companies in London and will always<br />
listen to requests for funding from Companies although, of<br />
course, we do not guarantee to help in every case.<br />
Roger Wallis<br />
Secretary/Membership Secretary<br />
London Stedfast Association<br />
Apr <strong>2013</strong> <strong>The</strong> Boys’ <strong>Brigade</strong> Gazette 71
BB SUPPLIES<br />
<strong>The</strong> following items are available from BB Supplies:<br />
31 505 1 Open Certificate (individual) .............................................................................£0.50<br />
Ideal for presenting at Displays or Award nights, suitable for use with any section.<br />
31 184 1 Anchors Open Certificate (pack of 5) ..............................................................£2.20<br />
For general use within the age group, and can be awarded on completion of a topic,<br />
for competitions or for participation.<br />
31 194 1 Juniors Open Certificate (pack of 5) ...............................................................£2.20<br />
For general use within the age group, and can be awarded on completion of a topic,<br />
for competitions or for participation.<br />
31 211 1 Discover Open Certificate (pack of 10) ...........................................................£2.75<br />
For general use within the age group, and can be awarded on completion of a topic,<br />
for competitions or for participation.<br />
31 215 1 Challenge Plus Open Certificate (pack of 10) ................................................£2.75<br />
For general use within the age group, and can be awarded on completion of a topic,<br />
for competitions or for participation.<br />
35 358 0 International Children’s Bible ...................................................................... £18.00<br />
NCV Holy Bible, a hardback bible ideal as a gift/presentation bible for those in<br />
Anchor/Junior Section. Featuring the BB ‘adventure begins here’ logo foil blocked<br />
to front cover.<br />
35 354 0 Holy Bible NIV Gift Edition ............................................................................ £20.00<br />
Durable pocket sized grey soft tone bible with zip, ideal as a gift/presentation bible<br />
for Seniors/Leaders. Featuring the BB adventure begins here’ logo foil blocked to<br />
front cover.<br />
35 354 0 NCV Youth Bible ............................................................................................. £18.00<br />
Youth Bible (New Century Version), hardback edition with BB Logo (foil blocked in<br />
silver). Presentation page inside. Ideal presentation bible for Company Section and<br />
Senior members.<br />
36 355 0 THE BIG BIBLE CHALLENGE SPECIAL OFFER! ....................... £8.00<br />
<strong>The</strong> Big Bible Challenge is an exciting new resource which has been produced<br />
by Scripture Union for children which is ideal for working alongside the Anchors /<br />
Juniors programme. <strong>The</strong> Big Bible Challenge contains over 100 bible stories split<br />
into 20 challenges and is a great resource for leaders to be able to communicate<br />
the bible to children. Leaders can use the resource to walk children through the<br />
bible in a fun and exciting way.<br />
BB Supplies, Garcia Estate, Canterbury Road, Worthing, BN13 1BW<br />
Telephone: 08707 442 292 Fax: 08707 203 842<br />
Order online 24 hours a day through the Online Shop at http://shop.boys-brigade.org.uk<br />
Also available at local depots around the UK (See Supplies Catalogue or Website for more details)