New lads’ and girls’ brigade

New lads’ and girls’ brigade

18 February 2015

HISTORY has been made with the launch of a new Church Lads’ and Girls’ Brigade organisation in Killinchy.

The creation of the new group is as a result of a joint venture between the United Parish of Killinchy, Kilmood and Tullynakill and Killinchy Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church.

The new venture is being described as a “historic milestone” in the history of the rural community and is the result of an evaluation carried out by a small team from the Killinchy Community Youth Organisation.

It explored a range of options available to the members in Northern Ireland and made a recommendation which resulted in an initial application being made to another national uniformed organisation which was turned down on two occasions.

After a long struggle, the boys and young men of the Killinchy youth group say they have found a new home after a long struggle against what they perceive as “prejudice and discrimination.” After almost four years, the youth group members have moved back into an organisation which they say values them for what they are and the path they have chosen.

The First Killinchy Company was formally registered with the Church Lads’ and Church Girls’ Brigade at the end of last September and has been fully operational in its new guise from the start of 2015.

The members — aged between 4 and 21 — are facing some new and exciting challenges which include a range of battalion, regimental and national competitions, a new educational structure for its officers and young leaders and a badge structure that will provide a productive and educational use of their time.

A number of dignitaries attended the recent launch evening including the Lord Lieutenant, David Lindsay, Sir Dennis Faulkner, BBC Radio Ulster presenter Karen Patterson, the Rev. Chris Wilson, Mr. Mervyn Lockhart Church Lads’ and Church Girls’ Brigade (CLCGB) and the organisation’s joint chaplains, the Rev. Dr. Stanley Gamble and the Rev. John Herron.

The new company will be one of the largest in the Ulster Regiment and is the first of its kind to come into effect since the appointment of two new development workers in Northern Ireland, Miss Victoria Speers and Mr. Matthew Nichol.

The new organisation’s launch night was well attended by the young people who make up its membership and they were joined by the newly-appointed officers and a whole host of family and friends. The presentation by the development workers provided an excellent insight into the work the young people will be engaged in. It was also revealed there should be very little change from the work being done by the Killinchy Community Youth Association.

Miss Patterson acted as compere for the evening. A letter from the Queen was read by her the Lord Lieutenant, which was very well received and added an official endorsement to the new Brigade.

Mr. Lockhart welcomed everyone to the new organisation and explained its object is “to extend the Kingdom of God among boys and girls” which is done through fun, faith and fellowship. He told the members and leaders: “Your journey starts here; your journey of fun, faith and fellowship.”

Mr. Lockhart congratulated Dr. Gamble and Mr. David Morrow “for their hard work in making this dream a reality” and invoked God’s blessing upon the Company.

In addition, Mr. Lockhart passed on personal greetings from the Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Rev. Richard Clarke. He added: “Archbishop Clarke sends his personal congratulations on the formation of the First Killinchy Company CLCGB; his prayer is that it may long flourish and be a great blessing to many for years to come.”

Mrs. Audrey Simm, the chief executive officer of the Church Lads’ and Church Girls’ Brigade, formally welcomed the new Company and extended greetings from the National Brigade Council, wishing the captain, officers and boys every success for the future.

“I am delighted to be back in Northern Ireland and I am excited to be here at the launch of a new Company,” she added, before the Chaplains and newly appointed captain received the certificate of registration, formally recognising the Company. Mrs. Simm also presented the newly-appointed NCOs, Warrant Officers and Company Officers with their stripes of office.

The Rev. Chris Wilson, Clerk of Synod for the Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church, brought formal greetings from the Synod and read Pslam 133:”How pleasant and good it is when brothers dwell in unity together,” with the Rev. Herron bringing the formal part of the proceeding to a close with the Benediction and Grace before a light supper was served.

The collection at the end of the evening for the new venture was very generously supported to the tune of £446 which will help the new organisation forward as it starts its journey that will see the purchase of Company colours and trophies to recognise some of the achievements of the members in the various aspects of the work it has carried out.

The new Company’s Martins for those aged between four and seven meet at Killinchy Primary School on Wednesday evenings between 6.30pm and 7.45pm, while the Y Team for eight to 10 year-olds meets in Killinchy Parish Hall on Wednesday evenings between 6.30pm and 8pm. The JTC and Seniors, for those aged between 11 and 18, meet at Killinchy Community Hall on Friday evenings between 7pm and 9.30pm.