The Boys’ Brigade 9^th December 1909 to 9^th December 2009

As I come to the end of ten years as Captain of the 1st Lisburn Company of the Boys’ Brigade and 30 years as a BB officer, my first thought is ‘Where did the time go?’ It is said ‘Time flies when you’re enjoying yourself’ and I thank God that I am a witness to the truth of that saying.

I think back over my time as a boy and Officer and remember the influence that Allan Donald, Ian Cochrane, John Irwin, Leslie Martin (13^th Newtownabbey) and George Toombs had over me. I hope I have picked up the baton and continued the race as they did. George, who is now our BB Company President, is a dear friend and mentor and I can remember conversations with George, as he handed over to me, about our 100 year celebrations. I thought it was a long way off but we are on the home straight now for completing 100 years of ‘Advancing Christ’s Kingdom amongst Boys’ at Railway Street Church.

Our Coy was formed as the 23^rd Belfast company on 9^th December 1909, changing to 1^st Lisburn Company in 1930. Such an occasion has to be acknowledged and celebrated and to that end we have a date set for our Enrolment and Youth Dedication Service on Sunday 4^th October 2009 at 10.30am. On the same afternoon the Lisburn Group of the BB will have its Annual Church Parade and Services at our Church. On Sunday 13^th December 2009 we will have our own day of celebration with both Services focusing on the Boys’ Brigade. On Saturday 12^th December 2009 there will be a dinner for all who have had connections with the BB over the past 100 years and it will be a time for young and old to come together and share memories, hopes and dreams.

We have also discussed other possibilities to take place between September 2009 and August 2010 which include a mission trip to Shieffield, an Alpha course, 100 hours community service, a summer camp for single parent families, a Lisburn Group Event and a Company day out.

We hope to raise funds by doing, 100 mile cycle, a golf tournament, 100 hour silence and we hope to get 100 local businesses to support us.

One difficulty we have had in preparing for our celebrations is getting information on our Company history. We will be recording our events over the year but we would be very keen to have any old records, photos, stories and memorabilia that you may have as we can copy and return any items that we borrow. The hope is to try and put together a record, possibly in book form so it doesn’t matter how insignificant you feel the stuff is, let us at least share in your experiences.

I know the influence the BB has had on my life therefore my prayer is that we will remain faithful to our object of advancing Christ Kingdom amongst Boys, and I know God will bless us.

Geoffrey Baird

Captain.