October 2004 - The Boys' Brigade

The President’s diary The President’s diaryPaisley & District Battalion Annual AwardCeremonyI have been privilegedto have had moreopportunities to visita wide variety ofevents. In sharing myexperiences with you,I trust that you will beencouraged with themany positive thingstaking placethroughout theBrigade, where highstandards are beingachieved by boys.1st Beardsden Company President’s andQueen’s Badge PresentationsThere is more to the 1st BearsdenCompany than its 106 years ofhistory! I gather with a capacityaudience in the company’s splendidpurpose built hall, for the AnnualInspection and Display. The variedprogramme of activities demonstratesthe remarkable practical link thecompany has throughout the GlobalFellowship. The 2004 Summer Camp inScotland was shared with a contingentof boys and girls from Neenah-Manasha,USA, the latest development in acontinuing programme of participationin events in Scandanavia and projects inAfrica. The recently formed Pipe Bandprovides a fitting climax, particularly forthe special guests, Carsten & HelgaKristiansen of FDF Denmark. I presentPresident’s Awards to eight seniors andthree Queen’s Badges.In the 121 years of the 1st GlasgowCompany there have only been eightcaptains. Nan and I share in a DinnerParty to mark the retirement of DouglasG H Rolland, the longest servingCaptain of the original company. Theoccasion is doubly pleasurable, for as anhonorary officer of the company, I knowmany in attendance and ourreminiscences of ‘The Captain’ are bothpersonal and accurate! Later I visit thecompany’s Annual Camp, near theoriginal site of 1886 at Tighnabruiach. Ifind the officers and boys in good spirit,enjoying good weather, good food and ahealthy outdoor holiday under canvas.The excellent supporting facilities of thecamp site enable members to enjoymany activities.The Annual Display of the 5th HamiltonCompany is a happy occasion amongfriends. It is our local company wheremy son and daughter served as officersand the Minister is both a former KGVICadet and Course Chaplain atCarronvale. All three sections are strongnumerically and contribute to abalanced programme of activities, whichblend with an element of fun andenjoyment through an Olympic theme.Awards and trophies are presentedincluding two young men gaining thePresident’s Badge.It is a stimulating experience to share inMorning Worship with almost 1,400young people and their leaders at FirmFoundations, held at Felden Lodgeduring the Spring Bank Holidayweekend. The organisation and teams ofvolunteers who deliver the programmeare highly impressive, representing aprofessionalism of which the Brigadecan be proud. Every aspect of theprogramme – Worship, Activities, BibleStudies, Sport, Fringe Bands, Dance,Music, Food and much more - containssomething for everyone.The Queen’s Men of Lanarkshireassembled, with a large gathering ofparents, Civic, Church, KindredOrganisation representatives and friends,at the Gospel Literature Outreach Centrein Motherwell, to congratulate 60seniors on their achievements. In aunique form of presentation, supportedby the band of 2nd Wishaw/4th CarlukeCompanies, I have a personalconversation with each Queen’s manand am impressed with their positiveattitudes and how valuable they foundthe various aspects of involvement inthe Queen’s Badge.The company motto ‘Strive for the Best’was well demonstrated at the 75thAnnual Inspection and Display of the34th Glasgow Company, held in themodern, spacious venue of RosshallAcademy. An enthusiastic programme ofactivities was appreciated, a highlight ofwhich was the presentation of threePresident’s badges.It is a particular pleasure to be invited toaddress the Annual General Meeting ofStrathkelvin Battalion, as it reunited mewith colleagues when I representedGlasgow, Dumbarton & Strathkelvinelectoral area on the Brigade Executive. Iam encouraged to learn that thevigorous programme of boy activities,for which the Battalion is noted, iscontinuing. In commending theBattalion on its selfless service to youngpeople, I assure them that their examplewill encourage and inspire others.In an event which has been moreassociated with ‘welly boots’ rather than‘sun lotion’, it is good to share inCrossover 2004 at Comrie, Perthshire,in wonderful warm, sunny conditions.The 1,100 young people and theirleaders take full advantage of the multichoiceprogramme of activities outdoorsand there is a relaxed atmosphere in thespacious site of Cultybraggnan TrainingCamp. It is clear that the Crossoverevent is firmly established in theprogramme of many companies.Thirty-five President’s Men, 13 Duke ofEdinburgh’s Award winners and aninteresting range of Junior Sectiontrophy winners, form the background topage 102 • VOLUME 112 No. 4 • October 2004