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Larne Presbyterian Church Inver Road Larne Co.Antrim N.Ireland BT40 3BW +44 028 28 28269968 |
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In 1926 the Company was reconstituted in connection with the Parish, Presbyterian and Methodist Churches.
The Company prospered under the captaincy of the late J W Sandford, a post Mr. Sandford was to hold until 1965.
In 1967 the philosophy of a BB Company was revised because there was difficulty in boys transferring from the Life Boys to the Company - they were felt by the boys to be two separate organisations. In that year “The Life Boys” became an integral part of the Company and was renamed “The Junior Section.” Then in 1977 restructuring of the Company was completed with “The Robins” being renamed “The Anchor Boys”.
First Larne Junior
First Larne Junior Section is 75 years old this year having been formed as the Life Boys in
1929 when Mona Hilditch, Jane Semple and Robert Beattie were at the helm, setting the standard for the years to come.
Since its formation as the Life Boys there have been many changes. The name has changed to the Junior Section.
The uniform has changed several times arriving at what you see today.
There have been changes in the badge work and badges awarded to boys each year and there are still more to come.
There have been many changes in officers since 1929. Many have come along and given of their time and talents each week,
some staying for short periods, some longer but thanks must go to all because each one has left their own special mark with
the Boys’ Brigade. We think especially of the late Mr John McCully who served for so long as Officer in Charge.
The biggest change over the years has to have been with the boys. Boys remain in the Junior Section for 3 years and it is
impossible to guess how many hundreds have passed through over the years. All different, all individuals but under the title
of Life Boys or Junior Section, all working together as a team.
We pray that through the years the object of the Boys’ Brigade has been evident to each of those young lives and we trust
that those who have passed through the Junior Section have good memories of their time in it. It is hoped that they have
carried out the object of the BB in their lives.
At present the Junior Section has around 40 boys. They take part each week in a varied programme of marching, drill,
singing, PE, craftwork, music, badge work and games. They also take part in Battalion Services and competitions and
are in good shape as the Boys’ Brigade First Larne Company Junior Section heads towards its centenary in 25 years time.
The Anchor Boys
Meetings of the Robins, as we were originally called, commenced in 1964, in the McGeagh Hall on Victoria Road,
now the Elim Church.
Then in the early 70’s the meetings resumed on Saturday mornings in the Bridge Halls (opposite the “Old First Larne Church”)
and ultimately on Tuesday nights in our present Church halls.
The uniform also changed over the years from grey shirt, grey shorts, red beret, red tie and a badge displaying a robin redbreast
and the words “Always cheerful” - to the current uniform of grey trousers and red sweatshirt bearing the badge of the Boys’
Brigade and the words “Sure & Steadfast”.
Over the years many boys have passed through the ranks of the Boys Brigade, some having served in all three sections of the
Company and others in one section. However, it is encouraging to know that each year many of the enrolled boys are the
children of past members. This hopefully is an indication of their own happy memories of the fellowship shared and the
value of the promoted habits of Obedience, Reverence, Discipline and Self Respect within the Boys’ Brigade.
Currently we are blessed with a healthy section of 68+ boys and 6 dedicated
Officers, with fun and fellowship being shared between the boys and Officers.
We are ever grateful to the parents of the boys for their continued
encouragement and support.
