OC Manse

Portglenone Road

Randalstown

The First Randalstown Company of the Boys' Brigade is a Christian youth organisation which offers boys and young men between the ages of 5 - 18 a safe environment to let off steam.

Our Company consists of three sections:

Anchor Boys - They meet on a Wednesday night between 6.30 and 7.30 pm. On a typical Wednesday nights the boys can be found listening to bible stories, colouring in, playing games their particular favourite seems to be dodge ball or just having fun, fun and more fun. They have also had visits from the RSPB and the police.

Junior Section - The Juniors meet on a Monday night from 7.00 to 8.30 pm. As well as football, uni-hoc and other games the juniors can also be found playing bowls and chess.

Company Section - Company Section meets from 7.30 to 9.30pm on a Wednesday night. The night starts with bible class, followed by drill and badge classes. This year the boys learned some basic Martial Arts, expanded on their cooking from last year, and will hopefully continue last years Digital Photography to a greater level as well. The boys let off steam by playing football, cricket, dodge ball or a number of other games (always very enthusiastically). In addition to the normal Boys' Brigade awards we have also introduced the Duke of Edinbrugh Award Scheme allowing the boys to obtain their Bronze, Silver and Gold awards through their participation in the BB.

BB Connect is a group for those aged 16-30 and involved with the BB in any form which meets throughout the year for special events organised by the Batallion. This group differs in one main aspect, it is primarily run by the boys and young men of the companies within the Batallion.

New members are more than welcome and we would encourage boys to come along and try it for themselves.

Since this time last year, the Anchor boys have been keeping themselves busy! In December 2010, the boys welcomed their friends and family to a Christmas concert where a total of £80 was raised for the Northern Ireland Chirldren Lapland Trust. We also enjoyed a visit from Santa. During the Annual display, the boys completed a scripture act of the 'The Three Trees' and showed off their flying skills during a re-enactment of 'Thos Magnificient Men'.

For our annual trip, we packed our picnics, alongside the Explorers from the G.B. and headed off to the zoo for the day. Unfortunately, it was such a wet day we needed to pack our coats too, but the boys enjoyed themselves nonetheless!

This year has kicked off to a great start and it has been brilliant to see new and old faces at the Anchor Boys! The boys once again used their painting skills to make fishes for the O.C. Harvest and this year our theme for the window was 'Fishers of Men'. The boys' work created a bright and cheerful display.

Every week the Anchor Boys have been busy and fun-packed Wenesday nights when we love to sing, paint, cook and play! We are now taking boys that are aged four (before 1st September) to eight and if you know and boys, please encourage them to come along and join in the fun. We neet in the O.C. hall from 6.30 - 7.30 p.m. every Wednesday night. We would also like to thank the boys' parents for their support throughout the year.

Lisa McKinstry

Officer in Charge, Anchor Boys