October 2004 - The Boys' Brigade

Here and there Here and thereBeating Retreat – London DistrictWorld Mission Fund –Church of ScotlandThe Lord Mayor of London, AldermanRobert Finch, in full reglia, attended theBeating Retreat of London District at theRoyal Hospital Chelsea. Guests werewelcomed by the London President, SirMichael Craig-Cooper, Deputy Lieutenantfor the Royal Borough of Kensington &Chelsea. A number of other LondonMayors and Masters of City Liverycompanies were also present. ThePacemakers marching band of 13thBromley and 1st St Mary Cray openedthe displays, which included the WestLondon Gymnastic team, JS team gamesand Kool Drummings – Steel Band of70th London BB and 7th London GBLord Mayor of London presented QB badgeto young men of London Districtcompanies. The Lord Mayor presentedQB certificates to 30 young men. ThePipes and Drums of the 5th CroydonCompany and Massed Bugles and Drumsof the London District also took the stage,which culminated in the Beating RetreatCeremony. Evening prayers were led bythe Very Revd Dr John Moses, Dean of StPaul’s, and a red coated In Pensionerlowered the union flag while buglersplayed the sunset call. This year’s displaywas voted one of the best.The Revd Benebo Fubara Manuel,Moderator of the Presbyterian Church inNigeria and his wife, Jessie, attended theGeneral Assembly of the Church ofScotland and were thrilled to findthemselves also part of the BB activities.They attended Queen’s BadgePresentation ceremonies in Edinburgh andGlasgow as well as work in Banchory andculminating in a weekend visit toStornaway. BB companies of the Churchof Scotland have for years supported theworld mission work of the Church ofScotland and the BB through the WorldMission Fund Annual Appeal. Much hasbeen achieved through their efforts andthe current focus is, in partnership withthe Bible Society, providing Bibles foryoung people in Nigeria. For moreinformation visitwww.worldmissionfund.org.ukThe Revd Benebo Fubara Manuel and hiswife, Jessie, in ScotlandThe late Tony Garrard, Eastern DistrictPresident, had a vision of the Districtcoming together for a weekend ofactivities. This was realised in July and theevent was ARE U UP 4 A CHALLENGE.Some 860 boys, some girls and officersconverged on Essex County CouncilOutdoor Activity Centre at Danbury.Junior and Company boys enjoyedArchery, Climbing Wall, High Ropes, AerialRunway, Assault Course, Mountain Bikes,Canoeing, Orienteering, Drumming andProblem Solving. The Anchor Boys tookpart in It’s a Knockout, Parachute Games,Scavenger Hunt, Circus Skills, Storytellingand Mask-making. In the evening therewas a sing-song around the camp fire forthe older young people. Company andJunior boys camped overnight and theevent culminated in worship on Sundayafternoon, the Juniors led by HappyPeople Puppet Team and the CompanySection boys by Ian Valence (ChristianMagician). The vision became a realityand one which hopefully will stay in thememories of the boys.Eastern District Fun Daypage 88 • VOLUME 112 No. 4 • October 2004