Special recognition for trio after receiving Queen’s Badge Award

27 March 2024

SECOND Ballynahinch Boys’ Brigade company held their annual display and awards night last Friday evening in Ballynahinch Congregational Church Hall.

The guest of honour for the evening was Mr Colin Piggott, who attended the Boys’ Brigade at Bloomfield Avenue Congregational Church in East Belfast and was an officer in the company for many years.

The Rev Dr George Speers, church minister and chaplain of the company, chaired the evening’s proceedings. All sections put on an excellent display with a variety of sketches, games and drill items.

The display also marked the success of three company section boys who achieved their Queen’s Badge Award, which is the highest award which can be gained by a young person in the Boys’ Brigade.

Throughout the last three years Matthew Douglas, Jake Hamilton and Jake McCartan completed a number of core elements which included various activities and many hours of practical service for the BB.

The occasion was marked with their mothers presenting their sons with their awards. The three young men leave the BB after their 14-year journey with exemplary attendance and will be greatly missed.

Jake McCartan and Jake Hamilton received a special award for their outstanding attendance. They each only missed one BB night in their 14 years. This is a remarkable achievement and speaks volumes about their dedication and commitment to the Boys’ Brigade.

The display also marked the success of Benjamin McCartan achieving his President’s Badge. The President’s Badge, which is the second highest award which can be gained by a young person in the Boys’ Brigade. Benjamin will commence to work on his Queen’s Badge in September.

This year has brought much achievement for the company in many different areas.

Oscar Wilson, from the Anchor Boys, won the Northern Ireland colouring-in competition and the Down Battalion competition for the P4 age group. Bryce Massey won the Down Battalion colouring in competition for the P3 age group. Company winners this year were Dean (P1), Thomas (P2), Bryce (P3) and Oscar (P4). Congratulations were expressed to all the boys who took part.

The Anchor Boys duster hockey team took part in the Down Battalion competition in February. They didn’t gain enough points to progress through to the semi-finals, but the boys had great fun and enjoyed the experience.

In November, 2nd Ballynahinch BB entered two teams into the Down Battalion indoor sports competition held in Annalong. Everyone worked really hard and one of the teams was the overall winner. Well done Jude (P4), Finn (P4), Jonas (P3) and Thomas (P3).

In January, the boys represented Down Battalion at the Northern Ireland finals held in Belfast. Unfortunately there were no medals, but the boys enjoyed the experience with competing against other boys from all over Northern Ireland.

The junior section football team participated in the Down Battalion indoor competition held in Dromore in January. The boys played well, but could not progress to the semi-finals. It was a great effort from all boys who did themselves proud and represented the company well. The outdoor competition is due to take place in April after the Easter Holidays.

The junior section also entered the Down Battalion ure exam after completing this year’s scripture course. The junior and company sections worked through a 10-week ‘Jesus is better’ scripture course set by BBNI.

The company Section entered the Down Battalion Scripture exam this year. It was a lovely surprise to win it and be presented with the Scripture Cup at the annual BB service in Rathfriland earlier this month. This was an excellent achievement for the company. The top four scorers who secured the cup were Daniel Rice, Jake Hamilton, Harry Bell and Kyle Murphy.

The company section entered a variety of Down Battalion competitions this season. The senior boys faced tough opposition in the outdoor five-a-side Down Battalion football competition. The boys finished third overall, after being knocked out on sudden death penalties.

The Year 8-10 football team took part in their Down Battalion competition, but were unable to get enough points to get through to the semi-finals. It was good to see a good mix of Year 8, Year 9 and Year 10 boys in the team.

Congratulations to Jake Hamilton and Matthew Douglas who came second and third in the Down Battalion badminton competition. In all, four of the company section boys took part.

Five company section boys took part in the Down Battalion table tennis competition held in Dromara. Around 50 boys across both age groups took part. Peter Quinn who won the senior competition in the Year 11-plus group.

The boys and officers will now enjoy their summer break before BB recommences on Monday, September 9. New boys from P1 to Year 14 will be made welcome.

Further information is available on the company’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

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