1st Randalstown Comapany, Boys' Brigade

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 Junior 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 theur 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)

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

As I write this the days are growing shorter as Christmas is almost upon us. It's hard to believe that over half the B.B. year is almost gone. This year has seen a decline in the numbers within the Company. We have 26 Anchor Boys, 15 Juniors and 13 Company Section. I would appeal to any boy between the age of 5 and 18 to come along and give the B.B. a try.

In September we came together with the G.B. for our Annual Enrolment. We also attended the Church of Ireland harvest. In November the Company Section attended the annual Rememberance Sunday Parade.

All three sections have had an enjoyable time since we started back. Earlier in the year the Company Section had a nights cooking and there are reports that some time in the New Year we will be inviting parents to sample Culinary Delights. Also this session we had in a martial arts instructor and it is hoped that after Christmas we will be running a short course over a number of weeks.

The Juniors have taken part in a number of competitions and have been away to the Battalion Carol Service. A firm favourite remains the football with budding David Beckhams taking to the fllor on a Monday night.

The Anchor Boys are as always to be found running around the hall. On a Wednesday night they expend an awful lot of energy playing games, doing crafts and generally making a lot of noise. Mind you, they all seem to go home with as much energy as they had at the start.

The Officers are looking forward to Christmas as much as the boys (a few nights off). But plans are already underway for the rest of the year. We are hoping to hold some fundraising in the form of a table quiz and also a car boot sale and car wash. I would, in advance, appeal for your support and look forward to seeing you in the New Year.

Roy Mooney

Officer in Charge, Company Section

Junior Section

Company Section