Queen's Birthday Honours List 2013
17th Jun 2013
Congratulations to Vaughan Rosbotham (115th Belfast Company), Mervyn Rowe (1st Pettigo Company) and George Toombs (1st Lisburn Company) on being awarded the Order of the British Empire (BEM).
Urgent Notice Re River Bann
10th Jun 2013
Following advice received today (7 June 2013) from Waterways Ireland (WI), NO Duke of Edinburgh's Award group/participants should use the River Bann from Movanagher Weir to Agivey Bridge until further notice.
Waterways Ireland (WI) has advised that the weir at Carnroe is in a critical condition and appears to be deteriorating in two main areas. In the event of a total or partial collapse the sudden and dramatic increase in water flow has the potential to present a serious risk.
In the interim Waterways Ireland (WI) is in the process of commissioning an updated, detailed structural survey and is monitoring the condition of the weir on an ongoing basis with a view to securing funding to carry out the necessary remedial works.
Companies Come Together For DofE
10th Jun 2013
Three companies and a few other individuals representing different Battalions, came together to take part in a bronze training event that was held at Shepherd's Lodge.
The young people were from 1st Saintfield, 1st Loughaghery and 1st Randalstown and enjoyed the opportunity to get to know each other, as well as learning new skills for the hills. Under the leadership of Tom McCormick there was no slouching in this camp. Press ups were an encouragement to keep the camp site clean or for any other misdemeanour. Though some saw it as an opportunity to show-off their physical strength after a long day.
This new venture worked well and training on a shared Battalion basis is planned for a Silver Expedition during the summer.
Any Companies interested in joining up should contact NI Headquarters.
Latest update from Director for Scotland
6th Jun 2013 by Scottish HQ
Please see the attachment for the latest update from Bill Stevenson.
A massive thank you to all our volunteers!
4th Jun 2013 by BB Headquarters
It's Volunteers Week (1st to 7th June) and we want to say a massive thank you to all of our volunteers.
There are over 14,000 volunteers working in over 1400 Boys' Brigade groups across the UK, giving up their spare time on a weekly basis.
The Boys' Brigade is looking for more volunteers to support its work with children and young people.... to find out more visit our website.
Request for resources
4th Jun 2013
Have you any old Junior Section and/or Company Section handbooks?
If so, Ian Bolton (Captain of the Company at Finvoy Presbyterian Church) would be interested in talking to you.
Ian is travelling to Malawi in July of this year and would appreciate any resources that you no longer require.
He can be contacted by emailing him at boltoni@utvinternet.com
Cleggan Forest - Access to Antrim Hills
3rd Jun 2013
Please be aware that are area known as Cleggan Forest in the Antrim hills is currently closed to all and will remain so until April 2014 at the earliest due to an outbreak of Japanese Larch Disease (Phytophthora ramorum). The pathogen P. ramorum has potential to attack a wide range of woody plants and could cause significant damage to woodland and other habitat.
Three cheers for the volunteers!
4th Jun 2013 by BB Headquarters
40 Boys' Brigade (BB) leaders from across London are set to be VIP guests at a ceremony recognising volunteers who helped deliver the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, Olympic and Paralympic Games.
They will join other leaders from other youth organisations at the special event to mark Volunteers' Week hosted by the City of London Corporation at London's Guildhall on Monday 3rd June.
Steve Dickinson, CEO, The Boys' Brigade said:
"I am very proud of all our volunteers who helped out at these major events - it's a great endorsement of the BB as a whole. We also rely heavily on our volunteers to run the local BB groups. As we mark Volunteers' Week, it is a great opportunity for us to thank and highlight the work of our unsung heroes who are making a real difference to young people across the UK.
"Not only does it help out organisations, such as the Boys' Brigade, but it also is a worthwhile activity to have on a CV. Many of the attributes of volunteers are also appealing to prospective employers.
"There is no typical BB volunteer - they come from all different walks of life and backgrounds. Some have been members who have grown up within the BB and others are people who want to give up their time to help others. We welcome them all - but there's always room for more."
In 2012, the BB was active in recruiting new members in half of its 1,400 groups and this year, the organisation will be embarking on a new campaign to add to its 14,000 adult volunteers.
Volunteers' Week is an annual event which celebrates the contribution made by millions of volunteers across the UK. It's run by the National Council of Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) in partnership with Volunteer Development Scotland, Volunteer Now (Northern Ireland) and Wales Council for Voluntary Action.
It is estimated that 19.8 million people in the UK formally volunteer on a regular basis.
CS Volleyball Final
29th May 2013
On the evening of Saturday 13 April 2013, 1st Garvagh Company played host to 1st Knocknamuckley Company and Knocknamuckley 'Old Boys' for the final of the volleyball competition.
1st Knocknamuckley got off to a great, start winning the first two games. 1st Garvagh came back in the third and started the fourth game in great form, winning the first 7 points easily, but then 1st Knocknamuckley won back service and came through to win the match 3-1.
Trophies were presented and both teams were praised for the spirit that the game was played in.
As 1st Knocknamuckley and 1st Garavgh have won the volleyball competition many times in the past, John McFadden (1st Garvagh) had asked if 1st Knocknamuckley would provide an 'old boys' team, if he got the 1st Garvagh 'old boys' together for a match.
This match was hotly contested, with Knocknamuckley 'old boys' coming through to win the match 2-1.
The evening finished with a supper.
New HSE Resource
28th May 2013
Are you looking for new resources as you plan for the new session?
Then take a look at the material produced by the Health and Safety Executive on the dangers of Carbon Monoxide which is now available for download (see link below).
There are resources that will suit Anchor Boys, Junior Section and Company Section, accompanied by Leaders Notes that will help to keep boys, and all in their homes, safer by highlighting this important area of safety.
His Honour Judge Reg Lockett
28th May 2013 by BB Headquarters
It is with great sadness that we report the death of His Honour Judge Lockett, Brigade Honorary President. The Brigade sends its heartfelt condolences to Edna and the family and upholds them in prayerful support at this time.
BB Scotland benefits from national funding
22nd May 2013 by Scottish HQ
The Boys' Brigade is one of 45 third sector organisations receiving a funding boost from the Scottish Government.
This £10 million of Strategic Partnership Funding will strengthen the work of young people's organisations working across Scotland, in areas such as adoption, vulnerable families, child health, literacy, bereavement counselling and parental support.
Speaking during a visit to a playroom in the Pilton area of Edinburgh run by Circle Scotland, which provides a range of family support services, Minister for Children and Young People Aileen Campbell said:
"We are working to make Scotland the best place in the world to grow up, including increasing the level of free early learning and childcare through the Children and Young People Bill, which will save families equivalent to around £700 per child.
"Scottish families already benefit from a wide range of support and the organisations receiving a share of this £10 million will help to improve what is on offer.
"Thanks to our investment, great organisations like Circle, which I am visiting today, will be able to take their work further into the community, helping families in need across Scotland get access to the right information and resources."
Funding of £20 million through the Third Sector Early Intervention Fund and £10 million through Strategic Funding Partnerships was announced on April 18, 2013.
Bill Stevenson, Director for Scotland, welcomed the news:
"I am delighted that The Boys' Brigade in Scotland will benefit from Strategic Partnership funding. This funding will help ensure that we can continue supporting thousands of BB volunteers who make such a difference to the lives of young people and local communities. The BB is growing again and all this Scottish government support demonstrates that we play an important role providing opportunities for Scotland's children and young people."
Members of 1st Dungannon Company unveil their new Swifts' banner
19th May 2013
Boys and Officers from the 1st Dungannon Company have been regular attendees at Dungannon Swifts' home matches during the past season and they recently unveiled their new banner before the Swifts defeated Banbridge Town in the final of the Mid-Ulster Cup.
The Company has a long established relationship with the Swifts with a number of Swifts' players having passed through their ranks. Company Captain and a founding member, Jim Thornberry, was a Swifts player throughout the 1970's.
The new banner depicts the Boys' Brigade and Swifts' logos along with the BB Motto, "Sure & Steadfast".
Company Circular - May/June 2013
15th May 2013
The latest edition of the Company Circular is now available for download.
New Disability Resources
4th Apr 2013
Three new disability leaflets have been prepared - Brittle Bones, Tourette's Syndrome and Challenging Behaviour.
The full range of information leaflets is available at NI Disability
Roll up your sleeves for a free Summer Madness Adventure!
3rd Apr 2013
The organisers of the Summer Madness festival are inviting Boys' Brigade groups or individuals (over 16 years of age) to help out with the camp build-up or pull-down in exchange for a free Festival pass.
The event this year takes place in Glenarm Castle Estate from 28 June to 2 July 2013 and the 'work camp' will run from 23-28 June and/or from 2-5 July.
The festival 'work camp' will involve helping to erect Ireland's largest circus tent (or take it down!) and preparing the infrastructure for the main camp site and 'canvas village'. The whole experience will be hugely rewarding in itself - but if you fancy having 'tent master' on your CV or wish the residential to count towards your badges/awards/DofE, then just get in touch with office@summermadness.co.uk giving us some brief personal details and we'll get back to you promptly with further information.
Alternatively, for further details contact…
John Kee, Director
Summer Madness, 217 Holywood Road, Belfast, BT4 2DH
T: 02890673379 / M: 07788562340
Green Youth Unite for Clean Up
1st Apr 2013
Representatives from all the main uniformed youth organisations in Northern Ireland came together for a cross community event at the Share Centre, Lisnaski. The 'Cross Connect' event was part of a three year project looking at community relations.
The event brought together 75 young people and their leaders from all over the province and they were keen to be part of something BIG by working together on a clean-up. The BIG Spring Clean is a volunteering and awareness raising campaign run annually by TIDY Northern Ireland, clean ups take place from March to May to reduce litter and improve local environmental quality.
For more information on the Big Spring Clean, register online for your FREE clean-up pack www.bigspringcleanni.org or contact Patricia Magee 028 90 736920. You can create your own clean-up, perhaps a local grot spot or tag onto other clean ups near you.
Sports Ministry Training Course
3rd Apr 2013
Ambassadors in Sport is offering a Sports Ministry Training Course at Richhill Presbyterian Church on 3 August 2013.
Further details are available at NI External Opportunities.
Latest issue of the Gazette is now available online
29th Mar 2013 by BB Headquarters
Check out the April 2013 issue of the BB Gazette.
Company Circular
7th Mar 2013
The March/April 2013 Company Circular is now available on-line.
Irish 125th Anniversary - Commemorative Badge
11th Feb 2013
The Northern Ireland District Executive has agreed to mark the 125th Anniversary of The Boys' Brigade in Ireland with a series of events in 2013. A number of these events have been communicated already and further details will be shared in due course, primarily via the bi-monthly Company Circular, ad-hoc electronic circulars and the NI website.
The '125' logo has already stimulated a great deal of interest across the District, and further afield, and it is anticipated that it will be available for purchase as a badge by early/mid March 2013.
To assist with the ordering of sufficient badges on a timely basis, Companies and Battalions are now being offered the opportunity to place an order - a downloadable order form can be found at http://www.bbni.org.uk/niforms.htm.
Orders will then be fulfilled in chronological order, based on the date they are received, with payment, to Northern Ireland Headquarters.
Consideration will also be given to providing additional merchandise to mark this important anniversary. Any further products will be communicated via the circulars and NI website.
Thank you for considering this offer.
NI Squad Drill Final
11th Feb 2013
Six Companies took part in the NI District Squad Drill Final held in First Antrim Presbyterian Church Hall on Saturday 9 February 2013.
The winners were 1st Ballyroney Company. 1st Castlederg Company finished second, with 1st Caledon Company in third place.
The Squad Commander's Shield was shared by Cpl A Murray, from 1st Caledon Company and Sgt C Magowan, 1st Ballyroney Company.
Professor N C Nevin OBE, Northern Ireland District President, presented the awards.
Voyage with Ocean Youth Trust Scotland
6th Feb 2013
The Scottish Region is hoping to arrange a further voyage with Ocean Youth Trust Scotland from 12-18 August 2013. The six night, seven day voyage will leave from and return to Oban on Scotland's west coast and will take in some of Europe's most spectacular scenery.
Aboard, you are very much part of the team - involved in the sailing, cooking and the day-today running of an ocean-going yacht. It's unquestionably a life-changing experience.
The voyage can be used as a DofE Residential OR Expedition, but please note that places are limited.
Contact Niall Rolland (Development Officer, The Boys' Brigade in Scotland) for further details.
Tel: 07538 079381 Email: niall.rolland@boys-brigade.org.uk
Junior Section Mailing
14th Jan 2013
The January 2013 Junior Section Mailing is now available to download.
This circular includes details of the Junior Section 'Big Day Out' to celebrate the 125th Anniversary of The Boys' Brigade in Ireland.
JS Musician of the Year
14th Jan 2013
Now in its eighth year, the Northern Ireland Junior Section Musician of the Year took place on Saturday 11 January 2013 with an excellent entry of 47 boys from throughout Northern Ireland.
Anchor Boy Mailing
4th Jan 2013
The January 2013 Anchor Boy Mailing is now available to download.
This circular includes full details of the Anchor Boy 125 event.
Rathmore House Open Day & Service
4th Jan 2013
On Sunday 30 December 2012, over 120 Members and Leaders from accross Northern Ireland District gathered to mark fifty years work at Rathmore House, Larne.
A selection of photographs from the day are available on the NI website.
Company Circular - Jan/Feb 2013
1st Jan 2013
The January/February 2013 edition of the Company Circular is now available to download.
BB Honours Recipients
2nd Jan 2013
Congratulations to the two Boys' Brigade Leaders who were among the Northern Ireland New Year Honours recipients ...
Tommy Hanlon MBE, 3rd Portadown Company
Wesley Lewis BEM, 58th Belfast Company
Big Spring Clean
20th Dec 2012
TIDY Northern Ireland, an environmental charity, is currently seeking Boys' Brigade Companies to work with it to promote a campaign it is running next year called the BIG Spring Clean.
The BIG Spring Clean is their flagship volunteering and awareness raising campaign aimed at promoting volunteering opportunities for groups, businesses and individuals. The campaign supports community clean-ups and other environmental events across all 26 councils areas in Northern Ireland. The campaign runs from March to May with a special focus month of April when most of the promotion and publicity takes place.
The BIG Spring Clean mobilised over 26,000 volunteers in 2012 and TIDY NI is hoping to increase this number to 50,000 next year. To meet this ambitious target, TIDY NI is looking for organisations to work with across Northern Ireland and that is where we, as The Boys' Brigade, can get involved. This campaign is ideal for the volunteering section, working within the community for the Queen's Badge and also for DofE Awards, but can be something that the whole Company can get involved in to help out in their local community.
If you are interested in finding out more, visit the BIG Spring Clean website at www.bigspringcleanni.org (where you will be able to register your clean-up event from 14 February 2013) or contact Patricia Magee at TIDY Northern Ireland on 028 9073 6920.
Brigade Council 2013 Registration available
23rd Dec 2012
The registration form and accompanying notes for Brigade Council 2013 are now available for download.
Special Parliamentary Reception celebrates Youth Awards
7th Dec 2012 by Scottish HQ
The Boys' Brigade was one of 23 separate non-formal Award providers, represented at a special Scottish Parliamentary reception for the Awards Network on Thursday 6th December.
The evening provided an opportunity to highlight achievements of tens of thousands of young Scots who have had their non-formal learning recognised and/or accredited through one or more of the twenty three members of the Awards Network.
The event, sponsored by Clare Adamson, MSP, was attended by MSPs, representatives from the Awards and other leading figures from the youth work sector. A third of the guests at the reception were young people that are completing or have completed a youth award and MSPs had the opportunity to speak with young people on their experiences of Youth Awards.
In a very challenging climate for youth employment, the reception was a reminder of the opportunities that employers can and have gained, through young applicants being better able to communicate the skills that they have to offer.
The reception coincided with the publication of the third edition of Amazing Things - A Guide to the Youth Awards in Scotland and the 5th anniversary of the formation of the Awards Network.
Minister for Children and Young People Ms Aileen Campbell said:
"The Youth Awards offer young people a real and lasting opportunity to highlight, record and share their positive contributions and achievements as they make their way in the world. Giving young people the chance to build and promote their skills is an important part of planning for their future.
"The awards offer great opportunities to take part in a wide range of activities and challenges. Putting young people in charge of what it is they want to learn and achieve helps to stimulate interest and chimes well with our approach to learning in schools through Curriculum for Excellence."
Director for The Boys' Brigade in Scotland, Bill Stevenson said:
"Awards such as The Queen's Badge recognise the contribution the young people make to their own BB Companies and local communities, whilst at the same time promoting development in areas such as leadership and communication. We are encouraged to see that even more BB young people are attaining the organisation's highest award.
"The evening reception and publication of the latest Amazing Things underlines the successes enjoyed by The Boys' Brigade and other members of the Awards Network through working in partnership."
NI Headquarters Relocation
11th Dec 2012
From 3 December 2012, NI District Headquarters will be located at ...
The Girls' Brigade NI Headquarters
C2 Kilbegs Business Park
Ferguson Way
Antrim
BT41 4LZ
Tel: 028 9454 8054 (Ext 52)
Fax: 028 9454 8055
The redirection of post and telephone calls has been set up.
See below for a map and directions to GBNI HQ.
International Junior Section Team Games Available for Download
26th Oct 2012 by Robert Powell
The International Junior Section Team Games was launched a decade ago as an annual event for Junior Sections throughout the world. It is an easy to play competition that your company can take part in.
The competition is based on:
•No Travelling •Minimal equipment •Attracts entries from around the BB world •YOU select when/where to hold the event •Local judges invited by you
2012/2013 Competition
The International Junior Section Team Games are now available for download, the deadline for entry is 1st April 2013, GOOD LUCK!!!
National Competitions (Irish Rounds)
5th Oct 2012
The draws for the six National Competitions have been made (click on the weblink below for full details).
It is our intention to add results as they are made known to staff at NI Headquarters.
Brigade Council 2013
18th Sep 2012
Over the weekend 14-16 September 2012, Brigade Council took place in Central London. During the Council Meeting, details of the plans for 'Belfast 2013' were presented by Glen Miller, a Member of BB Connect.
Gordon Brown at Scottish Cross Country
21st Mar 2012
The Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP was the chief guest and presented the trophies at the Scottish National Cross Country Race today. Mr Brown told organisers that he is an ex-member of the 4th Kirkcaldy company and has fond memories of his time in the BB, particularly playing football. Mr Brown said "It was great to welcome all these young people to Kirkcaldy and to see them participating in sport in the Beveridge Park. I want to thank everyone involved in making the event such a success and for ensuring that all these young people had such a good time and left with a real positive view of our town.."
Well done to Fife Battalion for organising such an impressive event.
Results can be found here http://www.scc2012.boys-brigade.info/ and photos have been posted to the facebook page.
The photo on this page shows Mr Brown with members of the Inverclyde teams.
