Lisburn’s Oldest Boys Brigade Company Begins Its Centenary Celebrations

While Lisburn’s 400^th anniversary celebrations come to a conclusion this month, its oldest Boys’ Brigade Company affiliated with Railway Street Presbyterian Church, began its 100^th anniversary celebrations. On Saturday 12th December 2009, 89 past and present members and guests packed Gowdy’s restaurant when old friendships were renewed and many happy memories were shared over a 4-course Centenary Dinner. The weekend of special events included a Christmas Sale on Saturday morning and a Service of Thanksgiving followed by a 100 Year Party on Sunday morning.

Lisburn Mayor, Councillor Allan Ewart, and his wife Denise were the special guests at the thanksgiving service. The colours were paraded into the church accompanied by the drums and bugles of the BB band some members of which wore old BB uniforms. The chaplain, the Rev Brian Gibson, led the service: Stewart Bittle gave the children’s address: Denise Baird read the Scripture lesson and the preacher was the Rev Leslie Addis, minister of Woodlands Presbyterian Church, Carrickfergus. Thomas McConaghie and the praise band led the lively worship, which included the BB hymn, Will your anchor hold?

During the service Joan Bradshaw presented a cup in memory of her late father Matthew Kearney and her late uncle Jack Kearney who were former BB captains. Also during the service, parents Euan McConaghie, John Nesbitt, Keith Bailie and Paul Conn presented President’s Badges to their sons Robbie, Lewis, David and Ben.

In the children’s address, BB officer Stewart Bittle spoke of his motorbike and other things that are precious to him. Introducing his daughter Chelsea, he went on to say that just as she is precious to him, we too are all precious to God.

Mr Addis began his sermon by leading three hearty cheers for Railway Street BB. He recalled that the Company was formed in 1909, the year work commenced on the Titanic and Harry Ferguson took his first flight. Speaking of the problem of the human heart, he went on to say that 100 years on, this ‘sin sick’ world is still the same. He explained that since Adam’s disobedience, we are all born in sin and concluded by pointing out that the one way to have sins forgiven is found in Jesus Christ, who came into the world to save sinners.

Following the service, many of the former members present joined with the entire BB Company led by the bugles and drums as they marched past the church watched by members of the congregation. When refreshments were served afterwards in the church hall, Geoff Baird (Captain) and George Toombs (Company President) cut a commemorative cake.

The celebrations, which continue next year, will include a ‘Centenary Display’ in the Island Hall at Lisburn Civic Centre on Saturday 17^th April 2010 at 6.30pm.

Brief history of Lisburn’s oldest BB Company

Railway Street Boys’ Brigade Company was formed on 9^th December 1909 under the captaincy of David McKee. Previously called the 23^rd Belfast Company, it became 1^st Lisburn Company in 1930. The first chaplain was the Rev Hugh Wilson, the then Assistant Minister and the succession of BB captains were: David McKee (1909-1920), Matthew Kearney (1921-1924), Jack Kearney (1925), J. R. Moore (1926), E Erwin and R McMaster (1927 Joint charge), Jack Kearney (1928-1930), W M Dunlop (1931), T. J. Riddell (1932), David McKee (1933-1945), James McKee (1946-1950), Noel Magee (1951-1961), David Hilditch (1962-1964), Allan Donald (1965-1969), Ian Cochrane (1970-1972), John Irwin (1973-1979), George Toombs (1980-1997) and Geoff Baird (1998 to present).