Activities for Seniors and young leaders in Scotland
7th Feb 2012 by Niall Rolland
BB Scotland will again be running activities specifically for Seniors and Young Leaders. So far, there's information about the Seniors' football event and also a trip to Copenhagen.
There will be more information about further local and national events coming soon on the website, facebook page and in the YL:Network newsletter.
Funding Available Now
6th Feb 2012 by Robert Powell
Starbucks Youth Action offers young people from 9 cities across the UK the chance to receive grants of up to £2000 to run a community change project.
Along with the funding, Starbucks provides volunteers from their staff and help with refreshments.
Apply online, come to a UK Youth training day and, if successful, come back to pitch to a panel of MPs, councillors, UK Youth and Starbucks staff.
for more info click here
DofE Silver Cycling Expedition
4th Jan 2012 by Niall Rolland
This is the first open cycling expedition to be organised nationally. It takes place between Friday 20th and Monday 23rd July 2012. This will also be a BB Queen's Badge Assessment Expedition. Places are very limited so please make enquiries as soon as possible.
Event will include: - Choice of Road or Off-road route - Inspection of expedition equipment - Checks on menus and expedition food - A check ride to assess navigation skills and group disciplines - Final route preparation and briefing - A three day expedition commencing on Saturday morning
Please see attached form for further details or to find out more, contact Simon Smith simon.smith@boys-brigade.org.uk
January 2012 Gazette available online . . .
22nd Dec 2011 by BB Headquarters
The January 2012 edition of the Gazette is now available online.
Scottish Conference
12th Dec 2011 by Alan Hunter
For the first time in a number of years we are holding an open Scottish Conference for leaders in Scotland. The Bankfoot Centre in Perth has been booked for 10th March. The event is open to all company officers, under-26 leaders and a place has been reserved for each Battalion. This will be one of our key events in 2012 and we need your support to help make it a success.
Northern Ireland Regional Website Relaunching!
22nd Nov 2011 by NI HQ
Find out more about the relaunch of the regional website.
International Junior Section Team Games 2011-2012
22nd Nov 2011 by BB Headquarters
Find out how your Junior Section can take part in the International Junior Section Team Games Competition.
The games are available to download from the website and entries must be submitted by 1st April 2012.
The Hampden Experience
20th Oct 2011 by Niall Rolland
Does your Company have a passion for sport? If so, a visit to the Scotland National stadium could be a great idea for an outing.
We have teamed up with The Hampden Experience to offer BB Companies a chance to see behind the scenes at Hampden for a heavily reduced price. In addition to the special rates, specific programme material to take back to the Companies will also be available. See the attached file for all the details.
This is part of a series of football related activities we have arranged recently. If your Company has made contact to your local club, please let us know.
New Fantasy football competition
28th Oct 2011
There is a new fantasy football competition being run by the England Region young people's group.
Queens Badge Awarded to boy with special needs
28th May 2011 by Heather Crosskey
On May 21st two young men from 1st Woodmansterne Company, Matthew Brown and Thomas Keresey were presented with the Queens Badge by Croydon Battalion President David Hall. Nothing unusual in that you may say - Queens Badges are awarded to young men in many BB Companies and you would be correct. The reason I am highlighting these two young men is that one of them has special needs. Thomas was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome at the age of 8. Aspergers is a communication disorder similar to Autism, and, like other folk with autism, Thomas has had to find a way to manage his condition and lead as normal a life as possible.
Thomas joined the Boys' Brigade shortly before he was diagnosed with Aspergers, and found the routine beneficial. He worked his way through Junior Section and was the first of his age group to achieve his Gold Badge. He has continued through Company Section, participating in all aspects of Bridgade life, including summer camp, and was presented with the Presidents Badge two years ago. Trevor Harvey who was then the Company Captain and myself were very keen for Thomas to work for the Queens Badge as we knew he was capable of achieving this award. Like all young men working for this badge, Thomas and Matthew have had to work very hard, but the achievement is well worth the effort. Young people who have special needs or who are challenged physically or mentally should be encouraged to strive for the highest possible goals - being different doesn't mean 'can't do'. Having worked with both Matthew and Thomas throughout their time with Boys' Brigade I am extremely proud of both of them for attaining this, the highest award possible within the Brigade, but I feel we all have a duty of encouragement to all young men who face the extra challenge of physical or mental difficulty. These folk are not handicapped, they just face life from a different perspective to the rest of us. Congratulations to Matthew and Thomas.
Vote for the Boys Brigade
17th Oct 2011 by Andrew Baldwin
The 1st Tewkesbury Company in Gloucestershire recently managed to purchase their HQ building from the local council. It has been closed since the floods of 2007 that devastated much of the area the BB HQ is based in. The staff, boys and parents are busy raising £50,000 to refurbish and re-open the building and need your vote for their Co-op "Join the Revolution" campaign to help win £5,000. To vote, go online to http://www.co-operative.coop/join-the-revolution/boys-brigade-community-centre/ - we really need every vote possible!
The 1st Barnet Celebrate the Royal Wedding
14th Oct 2011 by Nick Taylor
Ten young people led by two officers of the 1st Barnet Boys' Brigade & Girls' Association left High Barnet for a trip never to be forgotten. After a short journey by Tube into London the adventure really began as we entered the Youth 'Enclosure' on Horse Guards Parade. Nearly 1000 people young and old from Youth Organisations filled the enclosure, but this was large enough for us all to get a great view of the procession before and after the service. After the service, as the procession moved back to Buckingham Palace, word soon got round that we would lead the masses down the Mall. Excitement built as we watched the new couple ride back and then it was our turn. With the Anchor flag held high we processed ahead of all the public down to the Victoria memorial for a fantastic view of the moment we had all been waiting for: the kiss! We made our way out of the Mall for the trip home again, having had an amazing day that will never be forgotten.
