East Antrim Battalion Handbook 1718.pdf · As boys from East Antrim Battalion prepare to attend a Queen’s Badge presentation evening on 19th May 2017, at which a number of young
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Welcome to another year in the life of Boys’ Brigade within East Antrim. I trust you all
were able to manage some quality time with family during the summer months and you
are now refreshed to start working to reach boys and young men for our saviour.
I thank you for putting your trust in me by electing me for another 3 years as your President. I would want to record the Executives thanks to everyone involved with the
50th Anniversary Dinner. The anniversary book is making its way around the world.
Serious consideration must be made within each council section to bring forward new names for the officer bearers in 3 years time. I trust you all give these post prayerful
consideration.
This year the Conference / Council in Manchester will hold more interest than most other years with the Northern Ireland District submitting a motion which could change the Boys’ Brigade as we know it. I trust all captain’s used
their voting right on behalf of their company. I will be in attendance at the weekend and if you are not able to attend
could I encourage you to attend the NID AGM on Tuesday 12th September at 7-45pm in The Chestnut Suite, Lagan
Valley Island, Lisburn, when an update will be shared.
This year we again have a selection of events both sporting and social events and I encourage officers to attend and to
encourage the boys to enter the competitions.
The Battalion has again continued to function with fewer meetings but hopefully still communicating with officers via
the website, quarterly newsletters and Face book and Twitter. If you don’t receive this information like us on face book and register your e-mail on the website.
Please remember we still hold two meeting per session and you can find the dates in another part of this handbook.
The website continues to be our main communication tool and we have had over 120,000 hits in April this year and
averaging 4000 visitors a month. Please make sure you keep up to date by visiting the site regularly and if you are
involved with competitions or events please email a report to [email protected] so that the site is kept up to date.
I would like to express my appreciation to all officers who worked at District, Company and Battalion level throughout the last session.
So at the start of a new session can I encourage you to get involved more with your Company. Give that little bit extra and collectively we can achieve our object of Advancing Christ's Kingdom among boys.
Company Section Council Chair Colin Bell, 10 Raloo Road, Larne, BT40 3DR Tel. 028 2826 0805 Vice Chair Stephen Lindsay, 17 Tern Crescent Carrickfergus Tel. 0289335 0462
Secretary Jim Brown, 33 Broadlands Drive Carrickfergus BT38 7DJ Tel 02893 36 0241
Rep NI CS Colin De Leeuwe, 6 Sandringham Court, Carrick BT38 9BQ Tel.07548668213 Training Officer John Cathcart 13 Baird Avenue Carrickfergus BT38 7XH Tel. 07710745030
Drill Committee Michael Crooks and John Cathcart
Queens Badge Walter Lambe, Michael Crooks, and Colin Bell
Advisors
D of E Award Advisors Nicholas Irwin, Gregory Lorimer and Alistair McGruggan
As we come to the end of another season of BB we must give
thanks to Our Lord and Saviour for all the goodness that He has
bestowed upon us in East Antrim Battalion during this season. This year we celebrate our 50
th Anniversary as a Battalion. As part
of this Anniversary the Executive organised the printing of a book
detailing the history of the Battalion throughout the past 50 years.
The Executive would like to thank Mr Donald Blair, 1st
Greenisland for his time, patience and involvement in producing
this book.
Our 50
th Anniversary culminated in a Battalion dinner held at 1
st
Ballylinney Company and we were pleased to have David Blevins,
NI District President as our Chief Guest. The Executive would like to thank those involved at Ballylinney Presbyterian Church for providing the catering.
The Executive would like to express thanks to all the Officers, Leaders and Helpers who work hard each and every
week within the Battalion, the Executive appreciates the loyalty and work that is carried out with the aim of the Boys’ Brigade, the Advancement of Christ’s Kingdom amongst boys, being the centre of this work. The Executive would
also like to express thanks to all those involved in duties at NID level. A special thank you goes to all the Officers who
work tirelessly with the young men at Queen’s Badge level, Duke of Edinburgh level and at KGVI levels.
The Executive would also like to express thanks to all those Officers, Leaders and Helpers who for one reason or
another are standing down this session. The Executive wish God’s Blessing in whatever they do. Without Officers
Leaders and Helpers, Companies have difficulty operating.
The Executive would also like to thank Dr. John Cathcart the Battalion Training Officer for organising the Grade 111
Leadership course and would also like to thank those in 1st Whitehead and 1
st Ballyclare who held these two courses.
On Sunday 2nd October 2016 we held our Annual Battalion Church Parade and Officers Dedication Service in the
town of Larne. The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Council along with other Councillors attended the Church Service.
We were again blessed with wonderful weather and an attendance of 16 out of 22 Companies being represented, it was very rewarding to witness Gardenmore Presbyterian Church, Larne filled with boys and Officers from all over the East
Antrim area. There were over 300 members on parade, a truly wonderful sight. Congratulations to 1st Larne Junior
Section who were awarded the Fitzell Trophy and 3rd Carrickfergus Company who were awarded the McCune
Trophy. The Executive were delighted to appoint the Reverend Cameron Jones as Chaplain.
During the year there have been many competitions and events across all sections. All these events and competitions
could not be held if it were not for the dedication of all the Officers who arrange each event. Thank you to everyone. Well done to all the boys within all Sections who took part and congratulations to the winners. It would be unfair to
single any particular Company out. However, a “Special” mention must go to 5th Carrickfergus Company who
represented the Battalion at the UK National 5-aside Competition in Glasgow. As like last year, a Christian Education examination was held; it is disappointing that only a small number of
Companies within the Battalion participate in this examination.
As boys from East Antrim Battalion prepare to attend a Queen’s Badge presentation evening on 19th May 2017, at
which a number of young men from the East Antrim Battalion will be presented with their Queen’s Badges the Executive hope and pray that these young men will continue to remain within Boys’ Brigade.
The Executive would like to wish anyone attending holiday or camp weekends a safe and rewarding experience, and
hope that the aim of the Boys’ Brigade will be at the heart of each and every event. We hope and pray that all Officers and Boys have a refreshing break from Boys’ Brigade during the summer and pray
that each and everyone will return renewed and ready for the new session in September 2017.
I present this report on behalf of the Battalion Executive. Alan Miles
Hon Secretary
7
Annual Accounts for period ended 28th February 2017